17-07-2025
His name is etched in Knights folklore. Now, the premiership-winning coach is back
Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm.
Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand.
Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW.
"It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday.
"They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that."
Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm.
"I love the town," Griffiths said.
"I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home.
"And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that.
"Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong."
Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club.
"I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said.
"I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa.
"They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are."
The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
"On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said.
"She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ...
"They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year."
The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake.
"We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said.
"One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand.
"That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards."
Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title.
In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing.
Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm.
Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand.
Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW.
"It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday.
"They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that."
Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm.
"I love the town," Griffiths said.
"I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home.
"And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that.
"Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong."
Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club.
"I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said.
"I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa.
"They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are."
The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
"On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said.
"She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ...
"They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year."
The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake.
"We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said.
"One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand.
"That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards."
Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title.
In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing.
Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm.
Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand.
Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW.
"It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday.
"They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that."
Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm.
"I love the town," Griffiths said.
"I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home.
"And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that.
"Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong."
Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club.
"I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said.
"I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa.
"They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are."
The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
"On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said.
"She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ...
"They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year."
The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake.
"We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said.
"One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand.
"That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards."
Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title.
In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing.
Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm.
Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand.
Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW.
"It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday.
"They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that."
Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm.
"I love the town," Griffiths said.
"I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home.
"And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that.
"Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong."
Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club.
"I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said.
"I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa.
"They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are."
The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
"On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said.
"She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ...
"They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year."
The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake.
"We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said.
"One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand.
"That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards."
Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title.
In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing.
