Knights coach Ben Jefferies has welcomed the opportunity to reunite with sevens star Sidney Taylor after she joined the latest influx of cross code stars making the switch to the NRLW.
Taylor, who debuted for the Australian sevens team in 2024 and was part of the extended squad at the Paris Olympics, is among more than a dozen code hoppers to make the move to the NRLW for the upcoming season.
Among them are Black Ferns superstar Stacey Waaka, who has returned to the NRLW with the Warriors after a stint with the Broncos in 2024, and Titans recruit Teagan Levi, who is one half of the Australia's star sevens sister duo.
'Coming to the Wahs I want to win': Waaka
Other players making the switch in 2026 include
- Tamika Jones - Western Force to Bulldogs
- Daynah Nankivell - Japanese club Yokohama TKM to Bulldogs
- Damita Betham - NSW Waratahs to Knights
- Hayley Hifo - Western Force to Cowboys
- Ashley Marsters - Wallaroos to Cowboys
- Layne Morgan - Queensland Reds to Eels
- Arabella McKenzie - NSW Waratahs to Dragons
- Tatum Bird - NSW Waratahs to Roosters
- Jasmin Huriwai – ACT Brumbies to Warriors
Having previously coached Taylor at the QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport), Jefferies is excited to be working with the star outside back again as she returns from a season-ruining ACL injury in 2025.
“She’s a great person. Sid brings a lot of speed, power and agility to our group," Jefferies said.
"I got to coach Sid a few years ago in the QAS, before she jumped across to union. It’s great to have her back.”
Taylor’s signing is part of a wider trend, which highlights the rapid growth of the women’s game, with 8 million viewers tuning in during the 2025 NRLW season and another 3m during the Women’s State of Origin series.
The Knights have also signed 20-year-old Betham, who broke a 25-year NSW junior 200m record as a12-year-old, on a three-year deal.
“Damita is an electrifying athlete, with speed, power and agility,” Jefferies said.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, the Cowboys have signed Marsters - the most capped Wallaroos player after representing Australia in 45 Tests.
Mackenzie - the 2021 Super W player-of-the-year - is a versatile back who has joined the Dragons.
Waaka is a two-times Olympic gold medallist and dual World Cup winner who will add explosive pace and finishing ability to the Warriors backline, while Levi is expected to play in the halves for the Titans for the 2026 season.
With NRLW teams now in pre-season training, Jefferies said he had been impressed with the energy of his players as they prepare to kick off the season against the Sharks on July 2.
“They’ve all come in with a smile on their face," he said. “We are building a defensive-focused team, that’s what they’ve asked for, so that’s what they are going to get."
