Broughton blow for Kiwi Ferns ahead of World Cup

Eels fullback Gayle Broughton has all but ruled herself out of contention for the Kiwi Ferns ahead of next month’s World Cup in England, wanting more time to learn the game before she steps up to Test level.

In her first season in the NRLW, after switching codes from rugby sevens where she represented New Zealand, Broughton has been a key player in Parramatta’s run to the finals which kick off this weekend, averaging five tackle busts and 121 metres per game.

But the 26-year-old has informed Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry that she’s unlikely to be available for selection this time around and told NRL.com she doesn’t believe she’s quite ready to perform on the international stage.  

“I still feel like I’m really young to this game. I’m a complete rookie and have so many fundamentals to learn and grow,” Broughton said.

“I think under the likes of Raecene (McGregor) and all those girls it would be a dream come true.

I haven’t completely written it off, but I’m 95 percent sure I won’t go.

Gayle Broughton

“Hopefully in three years by the next [World Cup] I’ve developed my game and understand the fundamentals.”

That likely leaves Knights winger Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly and Titans fullback-turned-centre Apii Nicholls as the frontrunners for the Kiwi Ferns No.1 jersey, with versatility one of the key values Henry is considering as he narrows his wider list down to the final 24 who will travel.

“I want players who are flexible and can play multiple positions, because we have got four-day turnarounds over there,” Henry told NRL.com.

“We are going to need fullbacks who can play wing, centres who can play fullback, middles who can play on the edge.

“I look at a player like Georgia Hale who we see as a middle forward, but she’s flexible enough to play hooker and at a pinch half.”

Henry has also been busy trying to minimise what shapes as a potential disadvantage his side will face compared to the Jillaroos, with as much as a quarter of his squad likely to be made up of players from the New Zealand domestic scene rather than the NRLW.

Captain Krystal Rota, incumbent five-eighth Laishon Jones and winger Katelyn Vaha'akolo are among the non-NRLW players likely to be picked, with Henry implementing a seven-week training programme to try and ensure the New Zealand-based group will be match fit.

“We have got a squad of 15 at the moment training four times a week,” Henry said.

“Their match fitness will probably be a bit different, but we are ticking the boxes we can here.

“Some of the players I will be picking a little bit on the past and knowing they can do the job.

"There are a couple of players who haven’t played a heap of NRLW recently, but when they put on the black jersey it’s a little bit different and they’ve proven they can step up.”