Michaela Brake led the NRLW in tacklebreaks through four games. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
She may not make any more impact on the field this season, but NZ Warriors are leaving the door open for sevens star Michaela Brake to continue helping their women's programme any way she can during their NRLW return.
On Sunday, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, who married Olympic rowing champion Michael Brake in January, confirmed the "personal reasons" that had kept her out of the previous three games were she was pregnant with her first child.
Coach Ron Griffiths implied as much last week, when quizzed about her ongoing absence.
"Working through some personal things," he said. "She's kept things to herself and worked through it with the medical team.
"We want her back and part of our system. We've learnt so much from her early on."
Seven days on, the shroud of secrecy has been lifted.
"Everyone just exploded," Griffiths described the team reaction. "They're so excited for her.
"It's a wonderful thing, going through pregnancy and birthing a child - there's no greater moment for her."
The big reveal perhaps didn't come as a huge shock to flatmate and former Black Ferns Sevens teammate Shakira Baker, who had noticed a definite change in Brake's behaviour around the house during recent weeks.
"She has had a rough ride through that first trimester and seeing it firsthand, it was a bit different, asking her, 'Are you OK? What's going on?'
"She was quite distant and, in the team environment, we had questions, but she did try to keep it under wraps for as long as possible. I didn't suspect anything like that.
"Really happy for her and the journey she has ahead of her. That's just life, and I'm really excited for her and her family."
Warriors celebrate Michaela Brake's first NRLW try against Parramatta Eels. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Through the intrigue, Brake, 29, has attended training and stayed in touch with her team, who had two players sent off early against Canberra Raiders over the weekend, but almost snatched an incredible victory.
"She sent a message to say how proud she was and how many admirers the ladies would have garnered after that performance," Griffiths said.
In her four appearances, Brake (aka 'Mini') showed she was quickly adapting to the physicality of her new code, leading the competition in tacklebreaks early, after making 16 against Parramatta Eels in Round 2.
Perhaps her biggest contribution has been the professionalism she brought to the locker-room. She has helped set a benchmark for a Warriors roster short of NRLW experience, with the majority switching from rugby union or elevated from club football.
"We've spoken to her around some leadership stuff," Griffiths said. "What she's brought away from the paddock has been really good for us, and - if she's here - she naturally does that and the players gravitate towards her.
"I've also said to her, 'If you sail off into the blue yonder and go off down to Tauranga to spend time with Michael…' At the end of the day, she's preparing to give birth and that's the most important thing for us.
"If she wants to be involved, there's always room for her, and we'll work through it and make it as comfortable for her as possible."
One to benefit from Brake's tutelage is young rugby convert Payton Takimoana, who had previously spent time in the national sevens programme and was thankful to find a familiar face in her new environment. Playing across the field from Brake on the left wing, Takimoana is currently the NRLW's leading tryscorer.
"She's definitely like another mum to me," Takimoana said. "She's funny, you can banter with her and she won't take it to heart."
Even before delivery - due March 2026 - Brake already appears well suited to her new role.
