Ashlee Matapo, a rising star for the NZ Warriors, has secured a contract extension until the end of the 2027 NRLW season.
Starting her journey as an 18-year-old development player with the Northcote Tigers, Matapo's trajectory took a turn when the competition kicked off.
Head coach Ron Griffiths gave her the chance to debut against the Sydney Roosters, the defending champions, leading to her participation in eight of the Warriors' 11 games that season.
Matapo also made her international debut, playing in both Tests for the victorious Cooks Islands Moana team at the Pacific Championships in Port Moresby.
Her rookie NRLW season was marked by exceptional defense, as she made 138 successful tackles with only one miss, achieving a remarkable tackle efficiency of 99.20%.
Throughout the year, Griffiths played a crucial role, serving as a coach for both the Warriors and the Cook Islands.