Rabbitohs and Warriors announce landmark partnership

The South Sydney Rabbitohs and New Zealand Warriors have struck a unique agreement, allowing player sharing between their NRLW pathways.

Female players contracted to the Rabbitohs will have the option to be selected by the Warriors first-grade NRLW side, while Warriors’ players not selected for first-grade will be able to play for the Rabbitohs in their Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side, the NRLW equivalent of reserve grade.

The agreement will allow the Warriors to strengthen their NRLW team with players able to keep match fitness when not selected, and provide the side with greater strength, while the Rabbitohs’ will benefit from players with NRLW experience before they enter the competition in the coming years.

A similar deal was struck in 2024 between the Manly Sea Eagles and Gold Coast Titans in 2024 before the Sea Eagles’ Harvey Norman Premiership side folded before the 2025 season.

Warriors CEO Cameron George was excited for the partnership ahead of the new season.

“We’ve been looking for ways to improve our women’s pathways and this is ideal,” George said.

“It will be a huge help for Ron (NRLW head coach Ron Griffiths), his football staff and the squad.

“It’s also tremendous to see two clubs working together like this for the mutual benefit of both organisations.”

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly shared similar sentiments after the announcement.

“We have been talking with (Warriors CEO) Cameron George about this opportunity for a few months and I’m delighted that we have been able to forge this partnership,” Solly said.

“The partnership will strengthen our playing squad and will provide the Warriors with an option for their nonplaying NRLW players each week throughout the season.

“This will help us with recruitment and retention as players contracted to South Sydney will have a clear pathway to the NRLW through the partnership with the Warriors, something our players have not had in the past.

“At some stage we will have our own NRLW team, but until then it is important that every player in our system can see a pathway to the elite level.”