Over the weekend, our Northern Swords Under 17 Girls Future Warriors squad took part in an exciting "game of three halves" against the Auckland Warriors Academy at the NRLW Headquarters, Go Media Stadium.

The match was split into three 20-minute periods, each against a different Auckland line-up. Northland came out firing, dominating the first half with two quick tries and holding strong to claim a 16-8 win. The second half saw both teams locked in a tough battle, ending in a hard-fought 8-all draw. In the final spell, fresh legs from a third Auckland team proved too much as our girls, feeling the toll of the match, went down 16-0.

It was a massive effort from the Northland squad, who had just one month to prepare and came together with determination, energy, and pride. The opening stages of the game showcased their potential and caught Auckland off guard with a fast and physical start.

A special congratulations to Stella Leef, who was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.

A huge thank you to Sefo and Nadene from the One NZ Warriors for organising and hosting an incredible experience for our girls. Opportunities like this are invaluable for our young wāhine, and we’re proud of how they represented Te Tai Tokerau.

Article added: Tuesday 10 June 2025