Stars join NZ Warriors Wahine for 2026
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 10
Powerhouse centre Mele Hufanga has joined fellow Brisbane Broncos premiership winner Gayle Broughton by signing to join the New Zealand Warriors for the 2026 NRLW season.
Three days after confirming the 29-year-old Broughton’s two-year deal, the Warriors have
banked a second huge signing coup by securing Hufanga (30) for two years with a mutual
option for a third season in 2028.
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The announcement follows Hufanga’s stunning performance in the Broncos’ 22-18 which
saw her win the Karyn Murphy Medal as the player of the match.
The former Tonga rugby union international has been a sensation since switching to rugby
league finishing her Brisbane career with 25 tries in 33 appearances in three seasons.
“We identified Mele a key recruit for the One New Zealand Warriors,” said head coach Ron
Griffiths.
“She’s a powerful world-class centre who will bring a wealth of experience to our club.
“After an impressive meeting with Mele we knew that the fit was perfect for us.
“However, it was a visit to the volunteer community programme that Mele and her family
run in Auckland that solidified our belief. We truly understand the magnitude of character
we had enticed to our club.”
In Sunday’s grand final, Hufanga scored what proved to be the match-winning try in the
65th minute, finishing the contest with a game-high 210 metres, two line breaks, a line
break assist and an astonishing 17 tackle breaks.
“It’s really special heading back home next year to the Warriors,” she said. “And even better I get to be with my family.”
Raised in Māngere, Hufanga first made her mark in rugby union with the Auckland Storm in
the Farah Palmer Cup provincial competition scoring 40 tries in just 48 appearances while
she also played for the Counties Manukau Heat and appeared for Blues in the augural year
of the Super Rugby Aupiki championship.
During her union career, she had a chance to represented Tonga in a rugby league Test
against Niue at Go Media Stadium in 2020 scoring three tries and kicking nine goals. It was
the catalyst for a switch of codes which in 2022 would see her star at the Rugby League
World Cup for the Kiwi Ferns and ultimately be signed by the Broncos
The signing of dual international Broughton is a major signing coup, the multiple Black Ferns rugby union sevens title winner has been lured from the star-studded Brisbane Broncos on a two-year deal to the end of the 2027 season.
