Golden glow: North American stars aim to follow Blyde to NRLW

Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken has welcomed the influx of cross-code athletes and international stars to the NRLW, with USA and Canadian rugby 7s representatives hoping to join Michaela Blyde in the 2025 competition.

Blyde, a two-times World Rugby 7s player of the year and 2024 finalist, became the fourth member of New Zealand’s gold medal winning Olympic team to switch to the NRLW after signing with the Warriors for their return season.

She will play alongside Black Ferns team-mate Tysha Ikenasio, who became the fifth member of the gold medal winning team to switch codes after signing a three-year deal with the Warriors.

Stacey Waaka (Broncos), Tyla King (Dragons) and Tenika Willison (Knights) played in this year’s NRLW after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, along with Australian duo Dominique du Toit and Sharni Smale (both Sharks).

Australian Rugby 7s star Lily Dick will play for the Cowboys on a two-year deal after approaching the club about a move to the NRLW.

World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne played league as a junior for Keighley Albion and also recently expressed an ambition to play in the NRLW, telling The Guardian: "I would love to do that, 100%".

English rugby league internationals are moving to the NRLW in growing numbers, with fullback Francesca Goldthorp recently committing to three more seasons in North Queensland after returning home to play rugby union.

England second-rower Paige Travis (Eels) is the latest member of the Test team to play in the NRLW, joining Goldthorp, Hollie-Mae Dodd (Raiders) and Georgia Roche (Knights), who all made the move after the World Cup in 2022.

The quartet are expected to be in the England squad to play the Jillaroos at Allegiant Stadium on March 1.

The NRL will run a talent combine in Las Vegas ahead of the historic women’s Test and has invited USA Rugby 7s superstar Ilona Maher after she publicly expressed an ambition to play in the NRLW.

Maher wants to wait until after next year’s women’s Rugby World Cup before considering a switch, but USA team-mates Jaz Gray and Amanda Berta have registered for the Vegas combine, along with Canada’s Renee Gonzalez.

Gray, who plays on the wing, has been a regular member of the USA rugby 7s squad since 2021, while Berta, a prop, made her international debut this year.

Gonzalez, 26, has represented Canada in both rugby 7s and 15s and was a member of the team that beat the Black Ferns in the final of a tournament in Spain in 2022, scoring a try. She plays centre or wing.

“So many girls are coming from different codes – 7s and union – to play rugby league, and I think the opportunities presented in the NRLW are really exciting for everyone so they all just want to be a part of it,” Aiken said.

With the Bulldogs and Warriors joining an expanded 12-team NRLW next season, Aiken – the 2024 IRL Golden Boot winner as international player of the year – said the new talent would add depth to rosters of clubs.

The Jillaroos, Queensland and Sydney Roosters playmaker also said the sevens stars bought a high level of professionalism to the competition.

“I think it is really good getting the cross-code athletes, just to help with the professionalism and make the game more competitive, especially with the new teams coming in next year.

“We are still building so I think adding more depth to the squad, and new talent, is really good.”

The signing of Blyde is considered a major coup by the Warriors in their first season back in the NRLW after withdrawing in 2021 due to international border restriction during COVID.

The 28-year-old speedster doesn't have a league background but she has been a passionate Warriors fan and keen observer of the growth of the NRLW.

“I’m excited to be a part of something that’s growing super, super quickly and you’d be silly not to want to be involved in it," Blyde said.

“The Warriors are a team I grew up watching on TV. My family are rugby but when we knew the Warriors were playing on TV, we’d change the channel to watch them and support them.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity. To put it simply it is so cool.

“What I want to bring into the Warriors is professionalism and hard work ethic. I will be a student first and foremost. I will be leaning on all of my team-mate’s shoulders.

“I will need each and every single one of them to help me and to guide me in this new game that I have never played before, but I can promise all the Warriors fans, my team-mates and management that I will put my best foot forward each and every day.

“I have been part of a professional sport for such a long time so I know nothing different than to be professional, to be on time, to recover well, to eat well, to train as hard as you can every single day, so I will bring that to the environment."