NRLW 2026, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2026 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership season

NRLW Casualty Ward: Warriors lose star recruit; Faulkner injures ankle

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 2 Jul 2026, 10:01 PM

Star Warriors recruit Mele Hufanga will miss the first month of the NRLW season after injuring her hamstring in the lead up to this week's opening round.

The centre scored the match-winning try for the Broncos in last year's grand final before linking up with the Warriors, however her club debut has been put on hold.

Hufanga is facing four weeks on the sidelines as she recovers from the injury.

Joining the centre in the club's casualty ward are Kaiyah Atai (thumb), Matekino Gray (foot), Anastasia Sekene (ankle) and Tyra Wetere (knee).

Atai broke her thumb in the Warriors' trial match and has undergone surgery, with an expected recovery of four to six weeks. Wetere ruptured her ACL playing in France and has been ruled out for the season.

In Thursday night's season opener at Shark Park, the home side were dealt a blow in the first half when bench forward Stephanie Faulkner was forced off with an ankle injury.

Faulkner had been on the field for only two minutes before she limped off and was ruled out for the rest of the night.

"She's on crutches and in a [moon] boot in there so that doesn't look good," coach Tony Herman said post-match.

"She had only been out there for a couple of minutes so I really feel for her."

The Eels have also been dealt a blow with star recruit Keilee Joseph ruled out with a knee injury. The Queensland and Jillaroos forward has an MCL injury, with no clear timeline to return.

Fellow Parramatta recruit Layne Morgan will miss this week's clash with Tigers due to an orbital facture, while Jayde Herdegen has a quad injury.

The Sharks will be without Tiana Penitani Gray for the season opener against the Knights, the centre continuing to recover from a knee injury suffered in Game One of the State of Origin series.

Penitani Gray is eyeing a return in Round 2-3.

Cowboys prop Mackenzie Weale has been named to make her return from a facial fracture in Game Two of the Origin series.

Broncos duo Tamika Upton (shoulder) and Julia Robinson (foot) are also on track to return from injuries picked up during the Maroons campaign.

Shannon Mato missed the Origin series due to a hamstring injury but has been named on the interchange for Brisbane's clash with North Queensland on Saturday.

Mato missed the 2025 season due to pregnancy and will play her first game since the Jillaroo's historic victory over England in Las Vegas last March.

The Roosters have received a major boost with Tarryn Aiken named to play her first match since tearing her ACL in Round 11 last season.

The 2025 Golden Boot winner missed the recent Origin series but is set to line up for her club against the Titans on Saturday.

Last year's minor premiers have, however, been dealt a blow with Amber Hall ruled out due to a calf injury. The punishing forward is expected back in the next couple of weeks.

After consecutive back surgeries in successive seasons, edge forward Rilee Jorgensen made her return for the Gold Coast Titans in their trial game against the Cowboys and is set to make her NRLW return in Round 1.

The 21-year-old has made 12 appearances in the NRLW since her debut in the 2023 season, the last of those coming in Round 5, 2024 against the Roosters.

“Rilee’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable," said Titans coach Karyn Murphy.

"She has faced a number of setbacks and hurdles since being sidelined with injury but to her credit, she’s worked hard to overcome every single one of them and I’m really proud to have her back with us.

"She emerged as an important part of our forward pack at the end of her maiden season and I’m looking forward to helping her get back to that level this year."

Meanwhile, Broncos outside back Hayley Maddick will sit out the 2026 NRLW season after announcing she is pregnant.

“Last year was such a special one for me, I achieved two big goals on the field, so it feels like the right time to embrace motherhood,” Maddick said.

“The Broncos have been incredibly supportive throughout this time and I’m grateful for that.

“I’ll still be around the squad this season, helping out where I can and cheering the girls on from the sidelines."

Joining Maddick in recently announcing a pregnancy is North Queensland star Jakiya Whitfeld.

The outside back has also become a mainstay for the Jillaroos in the past couple of years but will miss the 2026 season and will also be unavailable for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

"We are thrilled with the news today that Jakiya and her partner Mathias will be welcoming a new addition to their family later this year," Cowboys Head of NRLW and Women’s Elite Pathways Anita Creenaune said.

"Becoming a parent is one of life's great milestones and we're proud to support her through this exciting time ahead.

"Our focus remains on ensuring she has the flexibility, care and support she needs.

"Jakiya is a valued member of our program and we look forward to seeing her embrace motherhood while remaining an important part of our club."

Other players who are sitting out the 2026 season due to pregnancy are Wests Tigers duo Pihuka Berryman-Duff and Jade Fonua.

Samoan international Berryman-Duff recently shared the news with teammates and staff ahead of the NRLW pre-season. The versatile half, hooker and lock who featured in every Wests Tigers NRLW match last season is expecting her first child this year.

Prop forward Fonua is also expecting her first child.

The Broncos' premiership defence was dealt a major blow with rising star Shalom Sauaso tearing her ACL during the off-season.

Last year's Dally M Rookie of the Year underwent surgery and has entered a 9-12 month recovery period. As a result, the 18-year-old is set to sit out the entirety of the 2026 NRLW campaign.

"The Brisbane Broncos can confirm that 2025 NRLW Rookie of the Year, Shalom Sauaso, has sustained an Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) injury during off-season," the Broncos said in a statement.

"The 18-year-old underwent surgery last week and will begin rehabilitation with a typical recovery timeframe of 9 and 12 months."

This year, Sauaso was pushing for a Queensland State of Origin debut and is also a key member of the Fetu Samoa side, but she is now set to miss the World Cup at the end of the season.