'Slowly finding my rhythm’ - Michaela Brake after switching codes

A standout sevens rugby star turned NRLW rookie says she aims to be the fittest, fastest and strongest in her position, despite the challenges of switching codes.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Michaela Brake (née Blyde) says the transition from union to league has tested all aspects of her well-being. However, she says she has started to find her rhythm in the new code.

“It’s definitely taking me a little bit to get my head wrapped around the different style of training and the different style of contact,” Brake told Te Waha Nui.

Sevens tournaments are usually once, sometimes twice, a month but with NRLW games every weekend during the season, Brake says she’s focused on preparing her body to last the duration.

She says she began watching NRLW when one of her sevens sisters, Gayle Broughton, debuted with the Parramatta Eels in 2022.

“As soon as she transitioned over, I’ve been a huge supporter of NRLW because all of a sudden there were all these other union girls who transitioned over.”

Brake is one of seven union players set to make their NRLW debut with the womens Warriors team, following sevens stars such as Tyla King, Niall Williams-Guthrie and Stacey Waaka, who have switched to other NRLW teams.

“We have a skillset from union that can transition really well into league,” says Brake.

Increased resources in the women's game makes it attractive for players to make the switch and  secure a fulltime job.

“I wanted to be a part of that history with the Warriors team and I wanted to be a part of that movement and see what it’s all about because the fanbase of league is much bigger than union.

“The coaches have been great, Ron [Griffiths] has been super patient with me. We’ve had a meeting outside of training most weeks to educate me a bit more on the game.

“I think for me, the best way that I learn is just being in it and just chucked in the deep end and see if I can float or sink.”

Brake says she’s in a team full of young talent with the potential to be dominant.

“Being the only club in the NRL and the NRLW from New Zealand, we have this responsibility to represent our country with pride.”

Michalea Brake (far left) at training. Photo: Savannah Lendich Jonkers

Team manager Nadene Conlon said the team provides an opportunity for women athletes at the highest level and a professional  environment.

“There’s so many girls exiting [New Zealand] as they think their only opportunity is in Australia and now that we have a team, hopefully it will grow the game a little bit more.

“We’re really conscious of the part that we play within the community and the role models that we are building, so it’s not only building a profile for the players and their brand but also building role models for our young females.”

LISTEN: Nadene Conlon says the NRLW is on the up.

Conlon says those who have played professionally in high-performance programmes are an asset to the team through the way they train, conduct themselves and become role models for younger players.

The women's Warriors were dispersed in 2020 due to covid  because many of the players were living in Australia.

They  will return to the NRLW when they  take on the Sydney Roosters in Sydney for a round-one match on  July 6.

Their first home game at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium will be ahead of the men’s Warriors game on July 13.