The Warriors Women kick off their NRLW season on Saturday, fielding a team despite the odds in what's being hailed a major statement for the women's game.
The side has been labeled a "fruit bowl" of a team by captain Georgia Hale.
"The five that have come over from New Zealand, the sevens girls and then obviously the Queensland and New South Wales players," Hale notes.
Despite the scramble to assemble, they insist the Grand Final is firmly in their sights.
"Three really good matches and we're sitting there, we're actually warming up to eating the hot dogs or drinking the beers on the sideline," says coach Brad Donald.
Women's rugby league icon Honey Hiremi-Smiler will miss this year's competition with injury, but says the fact it's going ahead under the cloud of COVID-19 is massive for the game.
"A lot of barriers that they had to go through to get the women's comp first and foremost and get a Warriors women's team," says Hiremi-Smiler. "It shows the value in women's rugby league."
Hiremi-Smiler is targeting a Kiwi Ferns clash in November for a return to the field.
"I'm doing everything I can to be ready,: she says.
"I think it's amazing. It's the only test match we'll be having in New Zealand rugby league and it's great that it's a women's game."
There are other spots in the Ferns side up for grabs, with the Warriors players missing out due to quarantine restrictions .
A new local competition's set to unearth the best new talent, with the World Cup on the horizon.
"It's a win-win for us and only going to build our New Zealand team,"
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