The Raiders have added another two World Cup representatives for the club’s inaugural NRLW season.
Mackenzie Wiki (Cook Islands) and Hollie-Mae Dodd (England) have both signed for the Raiders, two exciting up-and-coming prospects entering the NRLW competition for the first time.
Dodd creates history with her signing, becoming the first English player to sign to play in the NRLW competition.
Wiki is the daughter of Raiders’ legend, Ruben, who played 224 games for the Raiders between 1993 and 2004.
After touring the Raiders facility with her family late last year, Wiki then made the move to Australia from New Zealand soon after to start training with Mounties in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
Wiki says she can’t wait to pull on the green jersey and start her NRLW career with the Raiders.
“It feels surreal. I’m truly grateful to be a part of this amazing club,” Wiki said.
“It’s an honour to follow my Dad at the same club. His first club was Raiders now my first club is Raiders. It’s just surreal.”
Dodd was the youngest player ever to play in the Challenge Cup final for the Castleford Tigers at 16 years old in 2019.
The 19-year-old now plays for the York Valkyrie in the English Super League and won the competition’s Young Player of the Year in 2022.
The second rower also represented England at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, playing four matches, which included two tries against Canada in the second round of the competition.
“I am super grateful and excited to be on board at Canberra. I've heard so many good things about the city and I'm more than looking forward to representing the badge,” Dodd said.
“I knew now was the time for a challenge within myself therefore, coming over and playing in the NRLW I'm ready to learn off world class athletes to help my development within the game.
“Training and playing as a professional athlete in the sport I have love for has been a dream of mine ever since being a child.”
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick is excited about his two new signings and their potential in the NRLW competition.
“Mackenzie has been on a little journey of herself and has come over to play against NRLW players, that’s what I’ve asked her to do,” Borthwick said.
“She’s done that and on the back of that and the stuff she’s done up at Mounties, she’s earned a contract.
“I’m really happy for her now and she gets to tell her story and come and represent the Raiders.
“I obviously watched a fair bit of the World Cup and Hollie was a good performer for England,” Borthwick said.
“We’ve had a few Zoom calls with her and she fits the mould to what we want here as well. She’s a really good person and she was really good to talk to and to top it all off she’s a good player as well.
Keep up-to-date with all of the Raiders NRLW signings here.
