Apii Nicholls, a foundation NRLW player, has been named the One New Zealand Warriors’ first signing as they prepare to return to the game next year after a five-year sabbatical.
The accomplished 14-Test Kiwi Ferns fullback, who now plays for the Canberra Raiders, featured in all six games for the Warriors during the NRLW’s inaugural two seasons in 2018 and 2018.
Nicholls, a highly regarded fullback, was a finalist for the women’s Golden Boot award last year and was chosen to the tournament’s best team at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom.
Confirmation of her signing for the 2025 and 2026 seasons is the first in a series of recruitment announcements as coach Ron Griffiths, a two-time Newcastle Knights NRLW premiership champion, forms the club’s 2025 squad.
He believes 31-year-old Otahuhu Leopards junior Nicholls exemplifies the type of player and person to build a squad around.
“Apii was a crucial signing for us as she embodies the character of person we want at the Warriors,” according to Griffiths.
“She’s a Warrior and when we met with her we made it clear that we wanted to bring her home.”We were deliberate in our selection of players, choosing those with the correct characteristics.
“It’s critical that everyone understands that there is a natural hierarchy of club, team, and person. Furthermore, we will invest in the society by immersing ourselves in and respecting all parts of New Zealand culture.”
After missing the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to the Covid outbreak, Nicholls resumed her NRLW career with the Gold Coast Titans in 2022 before joining the Raiders last year.
She has now played 26 NRLW games, the last 15 with the Raiders and five with the Titans. In seven games this season, she has averaged 120 meters, four try assists, and 24 tackle breaks.
“The decision to come home ultimately came down to both footy and family and the support we have back home on and off the field,” according to Nicholls.
“My conversations with Ron were also quite encouraging, and I’m very pleased to learn and improve my game from someone with such a good reputation.
“The Raiders welcomed me warmly, and I’ll be eternally grateful for this opportunity, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to return home soon.
“Pulling on that (Warriors) jersey again will be something wonderful.
“The Warriors have always been where I wanted to end up; it’s home. And the potential to assist develop and nurture some of our amazing local talent thrills me.”
The mother of two has represented the Kiwi Ferns in two Rugby League World Cups (2017 and 2022), helped the Kiwi Ferns win the Rugby League World Cup 9s championship in 2019, and played a vital role in last year’s 12-6 Pacific Championship victory over the Jillaroos in Melbourne, which broke a seven-year drought.
The Warriors, who last played in the NRLW in 2020, are one of two new teams joining the expanded 12-team league next year.
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