There will be extra reason to cheer for the Warriors Wahine in 2026 with Rūātoki’s Stacey Waaka having signed with the franchise.

She is the announced signing, joining her former Brisbane Broncos teammates Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga, and Annetta Nuuausala.

Waaka’s no rookie to rugby league having played last season with the Brisbane Broncos, before skipping this year in pursuit of a second Women’s Rugby World Cup title with the Black Ferns, which ended with a bronze medal.

Waaka will play on the Sevens circuit with the Black Ferns Sevens team before joining the NRLW side.

One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George said Waaka was a “tremendous signing coup”.

“She’s an exceptional athlete who immediately showed what she can do when she switched to rugby league last year.

“On the back of signing Gayle, Mele and Annetta, Stacey’s arrival provides a fantastic boost to our NRLW programme.”

Waaka played on the wing for the Broncos and scored six tries before a broken leg ended her campaign. With the Warriors, she could also be seen as a fantastic centre option, as that’s where she plays in the 15-man code, although can also over wing in that format.

With her appearance in the bronze medal match at the Rugby World Cup, Waaka took her tally of international games for the Black Ferns to 199 (32 tests and 167 sevens matches)

She said rugby league-rugby union legend Honey Hireme-Smiler influenced her decision to join the One New Zealand Warriors.  

“My reaction to signing with the Wahz was firstly a lot of excitement to play for the club in my home country,” she said.

“I was grateful for my experience at the Broncos and everything they gave me, but it was a much easier decision to be at home closer to all my family and animals, as I have just bought my own little farm in Tauranga.”

“My forever mentor and practically older sister Honey Hireme-Smiler was always on my case about playing for the Wahz too, so she is also a big reason I chose to come home as she has been one of my biggest rugby inspirations since I first started playing for Waikato with her.”

Waaka admits she is still new to the game and has plenty to learn.

“I would still call myself a rookie in the game of league so I can’t wait to soak it all in once again and continue to grow not only as a league player but as a person.”

Waaka, a former Whakatāne High School student, is a favourite among Eastern Bay followers, always recognising where she is from and often back visiting family in Rūātoki and donning their colours.

up da wahs: Black Ferns World Cup bronze medallist Stacey Waaka has signed with the Warriors Wahine

for next year.

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