Experienced Jillaroos coach Brad Donald will coach the NZ Warriors' NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW) side for the 2020 season with the team to be based in Australia.
Donald, who has overseen the Australian national side since 2016, will replace Slade Griffin with the former NZ international unable to make the move to Australia for the six-week competition.
The majority of the Warriors' squad will be made up of Australian players, but at least six New Zealand-based players and two officials have committed to travelling to Australia in September where they'll serve a two-week quarantine.
Donald admits he was surprised to be offered the job, but can't wait to get stuck in.
"It was definitely unexpected and there are still some challenges ahead, but it's a wonderful opportunity that Cameron [George], the NZRL, the players and entire Warriors organisation have not only given me, but all the female players from New Zealand and Australia," he says.
"I also want to acknowledge Slade for the work he has already done in what should've been his first year as an NRLW head coach.
"Ultimately though, none of this would be possible if it wasn't for the players. The ones sacrificing time away from family, careers and the comforts of home to keep the competition going, as well as those who couldn't for those very same reasons - their selflessness won't go unappreciated or unrecognised.
"We look forward to getting the group together to ensure that everyone understands the sacrifices made to pull on a Warriors jersey in 2020.
"This will be a unique opportunity for those involved, and we will be doing everything possible from this point forward to build a very successful NRLW premiership campaign."
The Warriors won two of their three games in last season's NRLW competition but missed out on the final due to a poor points differential.
"We’re extremely grateful we’ve been able to secure a coach of Brad’s calibre to coach our side in these challenging circumstances," said Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"The shape of our campaign has been severely impacted by the continuing COVID-19 crisis but having Brad to take on the role is a real coup.
"We’ve really appreciated being able to work closely with [NZRL general manager high performance] Motu Tony and the NZRL to bring this about.
"There’s still much work to be done including securing travel exemptions for players and staff from New Zealand to enter Australia but Brad’s appointment is hugely exciting."
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