Jul 6, 2026 · 32 min · 10 segments
This week on The Big League Podcast, Nathan Limm (NZ Herald) and Nick Bewley (Newstalk ZB) are joined by Warriors NRLW coach Ronald Griffiths after his side's winning start to the season against the…
Nathan LimHost
Ron GriffithsGuest
Not only did the side need a rest as numerous players returned from injury, but it gives us a chance to spotlight a thumping opening win for the Warriors women in the NRLW.
Whilst juggling multiple other jobs and family life, these players scored seven tries to demolish the Bulldogs in round one.
They've been boosted by three Broncos Premiership winners, Black Fern Seven star Stacey Walker and former Wallaroo Jasmine Huriwai.
And like seemingly every other team this club produces, they look set for success.
Between the Warriors women, the All Blacks, the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon and everything else, I'm almost glad the Warriors weren't on because I might have exploded.
The Bulldogs finished ninth of the 12 teams last year, but you've still got a round one, early rust, jitters, all that sort of stuff, new acquisitions, as you mentioned, still some to come in terms of playing, the likes of Stacey Waka and Mili Hufanga, but I thought in terms of their big recruit, Gail Broughton, she was fantastic, and she's going to be a real point of difference in the 5'8 position.
She got that left edge humming, I think the left centre position Emanita Paki and the left winger Lavinia Tohalaliku both grabbing a double on that left edge which just goes to show how deadly that left edge was then you've got Patricia Maliepo who formerly played for New Zealand in 15s playing there at halfback she scored a try as well so I think from an attacking perspective a lot to like for Ron Griffiths They would have been a little bit disappointed to concede a couple of tries late and probably the start as well with the yellow card and there was a bunch of early penalties.
And look, I think this is a team that we're going to enjoy following over the next few weeks as the Warriors chase a bit of history because you just look at it on paper and there's a lot of class there and premiership winning class, as you say, with a couple of players coming across from the Broncos.
And I suppose what you want to see from a team fresh in round one is that composure and just being organised, really, on attack with ball in the hand, looking like they know their systems.
And as you talked about, those two players, Emini Topaki, getting a double, you know, that left edge humming.
Not only did the side need a rest as numerous players returned from injury, but it gives us a chance to spotlight a thumping opening win for the Warriors women in the NRLW.
Whilst juggling multiple other jobs and family life, these players scored seven tries to demolish the Bulldogs in round one.
They've been boosted by three Broncos Premiership winners, Black Fern Seven star Stacey Walker and former Wallaroo Jasmine Huriwai.
And like seemingly every other team this club produces, they look set for success.
Between the Warriors women, the All Blacks, the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon and everything else, I'm almost glad the Warriors weren't on because I might have exploded.
The Bulldogs finished ninth of the 12 teams last year, but you've still got a round one, early rust, jitters, all that sort of stuff, new acquisitions, as you mentioned, still some to come in terms of playing, the likes of Stacey Waka and Mili Hufanga, but I thought in terms of their big recruit, Gail Broughton, she was fantastic, and she's going to be a real point of difference in the 5'8 position.
She got that left edge humming, I think the left centre position Emanita Paki and the left winger Lavinia Tohalaliku both grabbing a double on that left edge which just goes to show how deadly that left edge was then you've got Patricia Maliepo who formerly played for New Zealand in 15s playing there at halfback she scored a try as well so I think from an attacking perspective a lot to like for Ron Griffiths They would have been a little bit disappointed to concede a couple of tries late and probably the start as well with the yellow card and there was a bunch of early penalties.
And look, I think this is a team that we're going to enjoy following over the next few weeks as the Warriors chase a bit of history because you just look at it on paper and there's a lot of class there and premiership winning class, as you say, with a couple of players coming across from the Broncos.
And I suppose what you want to see from a team fresh in round one is that composure and just being organised, really, on attack with ball in the hand, looking like they know their systems.
And as you talked about, those two players, Emini Topaki, getting a double, you know, that left edge humming.
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