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

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

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

World Rugby Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne played in the Championship as a junior for Keighley Albion and also recently expressed his ambition to play in the NRLWtelling the Guardian: “I would love to do that, 100%.”

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

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

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

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

Maher wants to wait until after next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup before considering a change, but her American teammates Jaz Gray and Amanda Berta have signed up for the Vegas combine, alongside the Canadian Renee Gonzalez.

Gray, who plays on the wing, has been a regular member of the US rugby sevens team since 2021, while Berta, a prop, made her international debut this year.

Gonzalez, 26, represented Canada in rugby sevens and rugby union 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 at center or on the wing.

“So many girls come from different codes – 7s and union – to play rugby, 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 – winner of the 2024 IRL Golden Boot as international player of the year – said the new talent would add depth to the rosters of clubs.

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

“I think it’s really good to have 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’re still building, so I think adding more depth to the team and new talent is definitely a good thing.”

Blyde’s signing is seen as a major coup by the Warriors in their first season back in the NRLW after opting out in 2021 due to international border restrictions during COVID.

The 28-year-old speedster has no championship experience, but is a passionate Warriors fan and keen observer of the NRLW’s growth.

“I’m excited to be part of something that’s growing very, very quickly and you’d be a fool 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 players but when we knew the Warriors were playing on TV, we would change the channel to watch and support them.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity. To put it simply, it’s so cool.

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

“I will need each and every one of them to help and guide me in this new game that I have never played before, but I can promise all Warriors fans, my teammates and management that I will do my best every day.

“I’ve been part of a professional sport for a very long time so I don’t know anything other than being professional, being on time, recovering well, eating well, training as hard as possible every day, then I will bring this to the environment.