Williams Guthrie confirms NRLW switch on the cards

New Zealand rugby sevens star Niall Williams Guthrie has confirmed she’s received interest from NRLW clubs for the 2023 season and looks set to make a move to rugby league this year.

Williams Guthrie is the younger sister of former NRL premiership winner Sonny Bill Williams and recently announced her retirement from the rugby sevens program after almost a decade in the code.

The 34-year-old grew up a talented touch football player before transitioning into sevens and will finish up in May before linking with an NRLW club.

She has had a decorated career, winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 playing alongside Eels star Gayle Broughton while she's had fierce battles with Jillaroos stars Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite over the years.

“After announcing my retirement from NZ7s I’ve had exciting opportunities come up from a few NRLW teams, which is amazing but currently I’m contracted with NZR and my main focus is to play in the last two World Series tournaments, enjoy these moments with my sisters, management and finish my 7s career on a high,” Williams Guthrie wrote on Thursday.

Williams Guthrie isn’t the only rugby sevens big name being targeted by NRLW clubs while several Jillaroos and World Cup representatives will be on the move in 2023.  

NRLW contracts are yet to be drawn up with both the NRL and RLPA continuing to negotiate final details of the women’s CBA, meaning while clubs are recruiting, no players have officially signed deals.

The expansion of the NRLW to 10 teams in 2023 has intensified negotiations with clubs and players set to enter a signings frenzy once the contracting window opens.

Titans coach Karyn Murphy has responded to the side's disappointing campaign last year by luring a Jillaroos half while the Raiders are understood to have a verbal agreement in place with a representative forward.

Cronulla are also landing some big blows in the player market that has had an impact on foundation clubs trying to retain their big names.

North Queensland and Wests Tigers are also making inroads while Newcastle and the Roosters won’t be able to hold onto all of their premiership-winning stars from last season.

The NRL Telstra Women's Premiership will get underway in July with a draw release expecting in the coming weeks.