NZ Kiwi Ferns are settling into camp ahead of their Rugby League World Cup campaign, confident they have the ingredients for a successful tournament.
Anchored by Dally M winner Raecene McGregor, coach Ricky Henry's assembled a squad with a host of NRLW talent, as they look to take the crown off Australia.
"Yeah it's been a long time coming," captain Krystal Rota admitted.
"The excitement is real and we can't wait to finally get over to the UK and get into some footy."
Next week, the side depart for England to chase a crown they haven't won since 2008.
They'll face France in their tournament opener on November 3 (NZ time).
But led by veteran skipper Rota, and headlined by star halfback McGregor, the team has every reason to be confident.
"I definitely felt like I was playing some of my best footy this season," McGregor said.
"Honestly, I didn't think that I would get the Dally M. There were so many players out there that were deserving of that medal.
"Just really honored to receive it, really overwhelmed with all the support i've received from family, friends, even people i've never spoken to."
The importance of the playmaker to the side isn't lost on Rota either.
"We're very fortunate to have the Dally M amongst our team," said Rota. "She's in a crucial position in our spine, so it's awesome to have Raecene steering the boat around."
It's not just McGregor who's ready to set the tournament alight for the Ferns.
"We've got explosive ladies on our edges like Maddi (Madison Bartlett) and Autumn, (Autumn- Rain Stephens Daly) and many more to name," Rota added.
"It's exciting we've got all sorts of different players, across the field and as one we're going to come together and play some good footy so it's really exciting."
Star fullback Stephens-Daly thought she'd miss out on the tournament altogether, after a knee injury while playing for Newcastle Knights cut her NRLW season short.
"I was like 'just prepare for the worst, just in case'. I didn't want to have false hope," Stephens-Daly recalled.
"Just to be able to see how far i've come with the rehab and stuff it's really awesome. I'm just so glad that it's come right. My injury is slowly coming right at the right time."
After recovering from hte injury, Stephens-Daly's relishing the chance to line up in the star studded side at a World Cup.
"Since being over in Australia, I've kind of missed home, so being with the girls here i'm really looking forward to it.
It's a tournament no one wants to miss with a blockbuster pool match against Australia coming up."
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