Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
The Six Again Podcast: Stacey Waaka co-hosts, opens up on Kiwi Ferns ambitions
Sport Nation • August 21st, 2026 6:00 am
Stacey Waaka | Photo: Photosport
The Six Again Podcast by Pip Morris, welcomes two-time Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka as co-host for a special episode during her second NRLW season - and first with the Warriors.
Waaka discusses her move from sevens to rugby league, the hunger for a premiership ring with the Warriors and her hopes of earning an opportunity with the Kiwi Ferns in a Rugby League World Cup year.
The pair are joined by Waaka's Australian sevens rivals Sariah Paki of the Roosters and Maddi Ashby of the Sharks, who have also made the switch to the NRLW for 2026.
They reveal the code-hopping transition has not been as easy as expected, with some of the rules still taking time to become familiar.
However the rivalry will continue this Sunday when the Warriors face the table-topping Roosters at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
Paki and Ashby also have Māori heritage, with both open to the possibility of representing New Zealand in the future.
Kennedy Cherrington | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Kennedy Cherrington of the Parramatta Eels is the final guest, following her decision to pledge her allegiance to the Kiwi Ferns for 2026 and beyond.
Cherrington discusses her recovery from a serious facial fracture suffered in round two, revealing she only gained clarity around her return timeline last week.
With just a few boxes left to tick, she explains how the injury has rocked her world and taught her the skill of patience.
She also looks at the future of the NRLW and its potential transition into a full-time professional competition, predicting a gradual change over the next five years.
That could include full-time contracts, improved wages, pregnancy and maternity support, as well as greater investment in player wellbeing and education.
Listen to the latest episode below:
