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FWC on Sport Nation guideUnleashing Waaka adds spark to elevated Warriors lineup
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • July 9th, 2026 4:33 pm
Stacey Waaka | Photo: Photosport
Warriors NRLW hooker Capri Paekau feels Stacey Waaka’s addition only elevates the side further following a dominant round one performance.
The 24-year-old is ecstatic to line up alongside the sevens star, who is set to make her Warriors club debut this weekend.
Paekau told The Six Again Podcast: “I remember telling her, ‘I was like, oh my god, I can finally say I've played with Stacey Waaka'.
“I reckon just like (pass) quick balls to her and she can get us a couple of runaways,” she laughed.
Stacey Waaka's NRLW debut in 2024 for the Brisbane Broncos | Photo: Photosport
Waaka is set to play her second NRLW season and first with the Wahine Warriors after a one-year stint with the Brisbane Broncos in 2024.
The 30-year-old was named in the No. 2 jersey to replace Payton Takimoana on the right wing after the 2025 NRLW Winger of the Year suffered a shoulder injury in the Warriors’ impressive 32-10 season-opening win over the Bulldogs.
Round one was a special occasion for Te Awamutu’s Paekau, who played in front of a home crowd in Hamilton and helped the Warriors get 'a monkey off their back' by securing their first win after going winless in Hamilton in 2025.
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However, the Warriors lost Mya Hill-Moana to suspension, Laishon Albert-Jones to a calf injury as well as Takimoana adding to the casualty ward.
Kaiyah Atai broke her thumb in a pre-season match against the Broncos, while Mele Hufanga, Anastasia Sekene and Matekino Gray are also sidelined with injury. All are expected to return by round five, except for Tyra Wetere, who is out for the year with an ACL injury.
Ivana Lauitiiti has been named on the bench after serving a suspension last week from the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships final last November.
Despite the disruption, Paekau said there is strong belief across the squad and confidence in whoever is selected.
Tysha Ikenasio scores against the Bulldogs in the round one season opener | Photo: Photosport
“I think honestly with all the top 24 players we have, I can hand on heart confidently say that whoever Ron (Griffiths) picks to play in our side, everyone is going to do a great job and everyone trusts everyone.”
With the Warriors returning to the NRLW last year, Paekau said the team is now far more settled after using their comeback season to adjust to the competition.
“Last year it was kind of like, that was our first year back and it was kind of just establishing it and just getting the feel of NRLW as a collective and as a team and even as a player."
She also noted she had not played at a professional level for two-three years.
“It was kind of just finding our groove back and then this year, I think we're so much more determined. Like we've set goals, we're here to win a premiership.”
Paekau said the addition of experienced recruits has helped raise standards across the squad.
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“I think having the likes of Gayle Broughton, Netta (Annetta Nu'uausala), Mele Hufanga, even Jay (Huriwai), Stacey Waaka of course. Having them on board has definitely lifted our team and also brought in that experience of not only rugby league but professionalism.”
She said she has personally been able to learn from the new arrivals, not only about rugby league, but also around nutrition, recovery and what it takes to perform at the top level.
The Warriors will be looking to build on that standard when they face the Raiders, who beat them 20-16 in round seven last year.
“Obviously from last weekend's game, we've definitely set a standard for us to kind of just stay on top of that.”
Listen to the full episode of The Six Again Podcast below:
