With the NRLW competition to have extensions from next year, including developments to representative football, women’s rugby league pioneer Ruan Sims believes all things are possible.
Earlier this week the ARLC announced that the women’s State of Origin will expand to a two-game series in 2023, with both games to be played out separately from the men’s, and broadcast live on Nine.
The overall pay of Origin and All Star players is also set to increase under the new agreement.
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With the jump from one to two matches next year, questions have been raised around the capacity to have a potentially-deciding third match to split the series.
“I think there have been a lot of questions surrounding the two games, I’m just glad that we are moving forward,” Sims told Wide World of Sports’ NRLWrap.
“One is not enough because we see how fanatic they [the players] are in that game and then sometimes you just need to tweak a few things to be able to step up for that next game.”
To bring the game in line with the men’s best-of-three series, Sims said several factors would need to change to ensure the move is successful.
“I would love to see this in three games in 2024 when we have 10 teams. I’d love to see this expand to three games because I think it has the capacity to stand on its own and do that.
“But then that comes with – you’ve got to be paying these players more, you’ve got to have the right pay conditions and the welfare, the quality of training, the medical, everything back of house to ensure this is successful and these players are able to concentrate on playing football for that period of time because it is a wonderful spectacle.”
A special guest on the NRLWrap, Roosters captain and six-time New South Wales Blues representative, Corban Baxter, said she was excited for the series to grow to two games, but would like to see Australian sport’s biggest grudge match end in three efforts.
“I mean, more footy for us, especially those Origin matches, we absolutely love being a part of that campaign and the games are the pinnacle of women’s sport, people love to watch it,” Baxter said.
“The fact that there’re two for next year is a step in the right direction, but I hope it doesn’t stay there for long and we can push for three very soon.”
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