7 Sep 2018

Warrior women ready to make their mark on NRLW

8:29 am on 7 September 2018

The women's Warriors preparations are all but complete ahead of round one of the inaugural National Rugby League Women's (NRLW) Premiership where they'll face the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.

Warriors second-rower Tanika-Jazz Noble -Bell fending off Auckland attack on debut

Warriors second-rower Tanika-Jazz Noble -Bell fending off Auckland attack on debut Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

While the men train day by day to prepare for their first NRL finals series since 2011, the women train under lights on a crisp Mt Smart night looking to write their own chapter in rugby league's history books.

Not only will they take part in round one of the NRLW, they will play in the first ever women's match after the draw was determined based on the results of the NRL's top eight.

Preparations for round one are all but over says coach Luisa Avaiki who says it's all about mental strategy here on in.

"Anything above what they've been doing isn't necessary now, it's actually too late at this point," says Avaiki

"It's about getting combinations right, focussing on plays, executing well, getting ourselves ready mentally and staying close as a team."

The Warriors will need that mental toughness when they face the Roosters - a side littered with State of Origin talent.

Of the 21 players named in the Roosters' squad, ten were members of the victorious New South Wales side.

The Warriors will also be greeted by a familiar face in Kiwi Fern hooker Nita Maynard and halfback Georgia Hale says they can't let that distract them.

"We haven't looked too closely at our competition, we have been our focus and only look at our strengths and what we have to offer," says Hale

"If we play our game on Saturday and put our best foot forward that will set us in a good direction for the rest of the competition."

Warriors halfback Georgia Hale in action on debut against Auckland

Warriors halfback Georgia Hale in action on debut against Auckland Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

While head coach Luisa Avaiki is responsible for instilling that focus, she's very much aware of the challenge their opposition pose, and what she must do to overcome it.

"The Roosters have a lot of experience so I need to encourage my players because we have a really great roster as well," says Avaiki.

"They need to use their own abilities, focus on their own jobs and not get caught up in who they're playing against."

The rules for the women's competition differ slightly with games running for 60 minutes as opposed to 80 in the men's game and the traditional 40/20 kicking advantage rule extends to 40/30.

The Warriors men's team said that's where the differences end though after watching the women's training sessions

"We've seen them doing some hard training up and down the stairs last week actually and doing bits and pieces," said Warriors halfback Blake green.

"What a great moment for the club to have both teams playing on the same day, we're really excited for them."

The are eight New Zealand based players scattered through the other three NRLW sides - the Brisbane Broncos, the St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters - and Kiwi Fern Shontelle Woodman believes that will only give the Warriors an edge.

Shontelle Woodman with ball for Kiwi Ferns at women's 2017 RLWC, Honey Hireme watching on.

Shontelle Woodman with ball for Kiwi Ferns at women's RLWC, Honey Hireme watching on. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 / www.photosport.nz

"It's to our advantage because we play them every week in the Auckland comp and to be fair they're just ladies with two arms, two legs so doesn't mean much when you're on the field." says Woodman.

"I think we'll go a bit harder knowing they are kiwis so you want to get one up on your family or your friends."

The four sides play each other once over three weeks before the top two sides square off in the grand final.

Warriors to face the Sydney Roosters:

Apii Nicholls, Langi Veainu, Shontelle Woodman, Sarina Clark, Hilda Mariu, Laura Mariu, Georgia Hale, Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala, Krystal Rota, Aieshaleigh Smalley, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Alice Vailea, Luisa Gago.

Interchange: Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell, Lorina Papali'i, Sui Tauasa-Pauaraisa, Kahurangi Peters, Lisa Edwards, Raquel Anderson-Pitman, Amber Kani, Crystal Tamarua.