Former Australian international Maddie Studdon was on the Warriors' radar as a replacement player. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Photosport
NZ Warriors have shelved a bid to sign Aussie rugby league star Maddie Studdon, as they try to bolster their NRLW roster through a spate of injuries, pregnancies and suspensions.
After an encouraging start to their comeback season in the women's competition, Warriors coach Ron Griffiths has had to dig deep into his depth chart and move several players out of position to cover key absences against Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.
Griffiths confirmed the club had former NSW Origin captain and Australia halfback Studdon in its sights, but the timing didn't align and the opportunity had now fallen through.
"We'd spoken in the initial instance about possibly bringing her over… but it's got to be like for like positionally," he explained. "We didn't mention any names to the NRL, but what circumvented the process in the end was Maddie played for another club."
Studdon, 30, has turned out for a variety of clubs through her career, but was off contract this season, playing for St George-Illawarra Dragons reserves. She made a one-off first-grade appearance two weeks ago, just days before the Warriors lost halfback Emily Curtain to a season-ending knee injury.
Reports across the Tasman suggested Studdon might still be recruited for next season, but Griffiths also ruled that out, hinting progress on the 2026 roster was well underway, with several Kiwi stars becoming available from other clubs.
In the meantime, with sevens star Michaela Brake now expecting her first baby, the Warriors hope to add Auckland winger Paris Pickering to their squad next week, after she started the season with Queensland state premiership club North Devils.
"We're trying to also look for a half, but we have to make sure it's the right fit for us," Griffiths said. "We haven't got that long left in the season - four games, possibly semifinal and grand final - so we have to make sure it's the right fit.
"If we can juggle the chess pieces within, players who know our system and understand what we're chasing, that could be a better fit for us, so we need to find the right person."
Griffiths has specialist halfbacks Tyra Wetere and Lydia Turua-Quedley starting on the wing and at hooker against the Sharks.
Curtain, captain Apii Nicholls and five-eighth Patricia Maliepo were all late scratchings against Canberra Raiders last week, which caused an extensive reshuffle of the backline, then second-rower Matekino Gray and centre Tysha Ikenasio were both sent off midway through the first half for dangerous tackles.
Second-rower Matekino Gray copped a two-week suspension for her dangerous tackle against Canberra. Photo: © Bruce Lim / www.photosport.nz
Making her Warriors debut, winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku was also concussed off during the second half.
Trailling 16-0 at halftime and down to 11 players, the Warriors outscored their opponents after the break to eventually fall just short of a miraculous victory, 20-16. They haven't been outscored in the second half since their season-opener against defending champions Sydney Roosters.
"Opportunity leads to success, I truly believe that," Griffiths said. "When opportunity is presented to our players, we need to take it.
"What success looks like could mean you go on to play NRLW for us for a long period of time, it could be one game, it could mean another club picks you up - there are many different forms that success looks like.
"When we lost another two players mid-game, our message at halftime was what an opportunity. They went out and grasped the opportunity, and just fell short."
Nicholls and Maliepo have been named to return against the Sharks, but Gray and Ikenasio were suspended two and three weeks respectively for their offences, forcing more changes.
Centre Emmanita Paki, whose experience has helped rugby convert Payton Takimoana become the competition's leading tryscorer, played fullback last week in the absence of Nicholls, but switches again to the No.7 jersey.
"We're certainly adjusting things to suit what we think is the right team for that week," Griffiths said. "One thing about Emmanita is, wherever you play her, she's a rugby league player and understands the game.
"Undoubtedly, she's our best left centre and defensively does such a great job, but she's got an innate understanding of different positions in the game, and she can go out and get things done for us.
"We're really comfortable with her playing out the back when we need and also to do the job at halfback for us."
Front-rower Mya Hill-Moana, who won an NRLW crown with the Roosters and played 10 tests for the Kiwi Ferns, has not suited up this season and is also pregnant.
Warriors: 1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Tyra Wetere, 3. Kaiyah Atai, 4. Shakira Baker, 5. Payton Takimoana, 6. Patricia Maliepo, 7. Emmanita Paki, 8. Metonoia Fotu-Moala, 9. Lydia Turua-Quedley, 10. Lavinia Kitai, 11. Maarire Puketapu, 12. Makayla Elli, 13. Laishon Albert-Jones
Interchange: 14. Capri Paekau, 15. Harata Butler, 16. Ashlee Matapo, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti
Reserves: 18. Avery-Rose Carmont, 19. Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, 20. Felila Kia
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