NZ Warriors will play no part in the next iteration of the NRL women's competition.
The Auckland side will sit out the 2021 NRLW season, but intend to rejoin in 2022, as part of the expanded competition.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has cited COVID-19 travel restrictions as the reason for their withdrawal.
"As a club that prides itself in supporting the women's game, this has been an exceptionally difficult decision to make," he says.
"The key factor is the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have on our club across the board.
"We're extremely cautious of the border situation and will continue to be so. It's uppermost in our thinking, as we try to negotiate this year.
"It meant we were able to include only five New Zealand-based players in our squad last year and uncertainty remains this year."
The Warriors were one of the founding sides of the NRLW and have finished third in each of their three seasons.
