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#KiwiNRL Wahine: More Signings For Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane/Auckland Broncos.

In one swoop, Brisbane Broncos snapped up five more #KiwiNRL wahine and filled their marquee signing quota for the Women's NRL. Joining Teuila Fotu-Moala in the Broncos squad are Rona Peters, Maitua Feterika, Ngatokotoru Akarua, Kimiora Nati and Lilieta Maumau, giving us six #KiwiNRL wahine in the Broncos marquee group of 15, plus the Broncos have snapped up five on the NZRL's 20 marquee contract players.

Keep in mind that Aotearoa Warriors are yet to announce their squad, St George Illawara Dragons have seven marquee spots available and Sydney Roosters have also filled out their marquee roster. For the Broncos to have a quarter of the NZRL marquee list on their roster is pretty damn cool and there are now 12 players from the NZRL marquee list, still available, most of whom will probably be signed by the Warriors. 

Any further #KiwiNRL signings from the Dragons would put the Warriors in a bit of a pickle as they are unlikely to make the most of their marquee contingent. Even if the Dragons don't get any more #KiwiNRL wahine, the Warriors can only sign 12 NZRL marquee players, leaving three marquee spots vacant. In theory, these means that the Warriors won't have as much top-tier talent, however that's a superficial way of looking at this; Warriors could have the most interesting pool of free agent players if their talent identification is on point.

In my first look at the #KiwiNRL wahine signings, I suggested that Peters and Feterika would likely sign with the Broncos as they are both currently based in that area. Peters isn't on the NZRL marquee list, but her and Feterika both played for Queensland in the first Women's State of Origin, coming up against Sydney Roosters' Nita Maynard. 

Being in the local scene would have put Peters and Feterika on the Broncos radar, thus making it no surprise when their signings were announced. With Feterika and Fotu-Moala likely to play on the edges, Broncos could have the best edge forward duos in the competition.

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Arakua and Maumau are also forwards. Arakua plays through the middle and is a Papakura Sea Eagles junior, while Maumau is also a middle forward, from Otahuhu Leopards. 

Nati could form a halves combo with Jillaroos half Ali Brigginshaw and the two international foes will join forces in a halves combo that, like many aspects of the Broncos roster will be among the best in the league. With Nati coming out of Manurewa Marlins and Maumau and Arakura also coming from Auckland clubs, they will link up with Peters (Papakura Sea Eagles) and Fotu-Moala (Otahuhu Leopards), giving the Broncos a full crew of Aucklanders in their #KiwiNRL group.

The next major checkpoint is the Warriors unleashing their roster, of which there are no signings. The other teams have drip-fed signings, adding a few players to their rosters every few days or weeks, but we know nothing about the Warriors squad and that will probably see the Warriors drop their full marquee roster in one go.

Here is the list of 20 NZRL marquee players, with those who have been signed and those who haven't:

Aieshaleigh Smalley
Amber Kani
Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala
Apii Nicholls-Pualau
Georgia Hale
Hilda Mariu
Honey Hireme (Dragons)
Kahurangi Peters
Kimiora Nati (Broncos)
Krystal Rota
Lilieta Maumau (Broncos)
Louisa Gago
Maitua Feterika (Broncos)
Ngatokotoru Arakua (Broncos)
Nita Maynard (Roosters)
Raecene McGregor (Roosters)

Racquel Anderson
Shontelle Woodman
Teuila Fotu-Moala (Broncos)
Kailey Faye Thompson

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Peace and love 27.