Fresh off winning the NRLW premiership and already a dual New Zealand international, Gayle Broughton has been officially unveiled as the One New Zealand Warriors’ first marquee signing for the 2026 NRLW season.
In a major recruitment coup, the decorated Black Ferns rugby sevens star has been secured from the powerhouse Brisbane Broncos on a two-year deal, keeping her at the club until the end of 2027.
The 29-year-old playmaker from Hāwera who made the switch to rugby league in 2022 capped off a stellar NRLW campaign by claiming her first premiership in Sunday’s 22-18 grand final win over the Roosters at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Before her transition to league, Broughton enjoyed a glittering rugby sevens career that included Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Olympic silver medal, a Rugby World Cup triumph, and six World Rugby Sevens Series titles.
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Just three days after Broughton’s signing, powerhouse centre Mele Hufanga became the Warriors’ next major addition, joining her Broncos teammate on a two-year deal through to the end of 2027, with a mutual option for 2028.
The announcement comes off the back of Hufanga’s standout performance in the Broncos’ 22-18 grand final victory, where she was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal as player of the match.
A former Tonga rugby union international, Hufanga has been a revelation since crossing codes, finishing her Broncos stint with an impressive 25 tries from 33 appearances over three seasons.