Aotearoa Warriors finally released their squad of 22 and Brisbane Broncos added another kiwi to their roster, ensuring that the first ever Women's Premiership will feature a heavy dose of #KiwiNRL wahine. The Warriors raided Auckland clubs Richmond, Manurewa and Otahuhu for the bulk of their roster, with Sui Tauasa-Pauaraisa the only player named not based in Auckland.

Tauasa-Pauaraisa is also one of two players named who doesn't play for either Richmond, Manurewa or Otahuhu. She plays for Linwood Keas in Christchurch, while winger Lisa Edwards plays for Mt Albert in Aucklannd. This reflects where women's rugby league is at in Aotearoa and although the lack of diversity in where the players are from is a bummer, it's a great starting point. Hopefully with the Women's NRL gaining traction, there will be more clubs in Auckland providing a strong platform for these players and then more clubs around Aotearoa producing talent.

Entry into the Wildcard for the Wellington Cup CrossFit Comp.

The Warriors named 11 players from the NZRL top-20; Aieshaleigh Smalley, Amber Kani, Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala, Apii Nicholls-Pualai, Georgia Hale, Hilda Mariu, Kahurangi Peters, Krystal Rota, Louisa Gago, Racquel Anderson and Shontelle Woodman.

11 players not in the NZRL marquee bracket, filling out the Warriors roster of 22; Sarina Clark, Lisa Edwards, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Laura Mariu, Va'anessa Molia-Fraser, Tankia-Jazz Noble-Bell, Lorina Papali'i, Sui Tauasa-Pauaraisa, Crystal Tamarua, Alice Vailea and Langi Veainu.

You could view the fact that the Warriors only signed 11 of the Aotearoa's 20 marquee players, as a reflection of the Warriors inability to sign and keep the best talent from Aotearoa. For starters that's a lazy perspective as it doesn't take into account what the individual wants and where they want to live, let alone the offers they are getting - this applies for both the men and women side of the club.

Most notably though, some from the NZRL marquee list are currently based in Australia and then, many of those that the Warriors signed from outside the marquee list, do have international caps. Eight players have either played for the Kiwi Ferns, or been in Kiwi Ferns squads and some have played multiple World Cups; Sarina Clark, Laura Mariu, Va'anessa Molia-Fraser, Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell, Lorina Papali'i, Sui Tauasa-Pauraisa, Crystal Tamarua and Langi Veainu.

Papakura captain Kahurangi Peters reacts to her side's victory in the ARL Women's Premiership.

That leaves just three players in the squad of 22 who haven't played international footy; Alice Vailea, Onjeurlina Leiatua and Lisa Edwards.

This could be a low key advantage for the Warriors as other clubs have relied on scouting and training camps to get non-marquee (free agents) to fill their rosters. While these players are playing club footy in Australia and have obviously impressed, the Australian clubs definitely don't have the level of experience or talent in their free agent groups that the Warriors have. In a team of 17 for example, expect the 11 marquee players for the Warriors to be there (if healthy) and then the remaining spots will be filled by players who have vast experience representing Aotearoa, or have been good enough to recently get called up to the Kiwi Ferns squad.

Brisbane Broncos also announced the signing of Kiwi Ferns winger Karley Te Kawa. Te Kawa wasn't in the NZRL's marquee group but was in the Kiwi Ferns squad from June this year and joins the Broncos #KiwiNRL wahine group of Teuila Fotu-Moala, Rona Peters, Maitua Feterika, Ngatokotoru Araku, Kimiora Natiu and Lilieta Manumau. That's six #KiwiNRL wahine for the Broncos, the most of the Australian clubs while the Roosters have Nita Maynard and Raecene McGregor, Dragons have Honey Hireme and Kailey Faye-Thompson.

Well, that's who I have accounted for any way. If there is anyone who I have missed from Aotearoa who has signed with an Australian club, give me a heads up and I'll add it to my list. All 20 of the NZRL's marquee group have been signed, so any that I have missed will be free agents who have sneaked under the radar.

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Peace and love 27.