Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has predicted multiple Americans could be playing in the NRLW this year, in a move with the potential to help fuel the looming expansion of the women's competition.
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The women's game is the most likely to benefit from the NRL's American push, with no female NFL league, and rugby still largely at an amateur level in the country.
Californian-based rugby player Liz Tafuna has already been approached by Canberra, after catching the eye of several clubs at Saturday's combine in Las Vegas.
"I have no doubt a couple of girls here can play NRLW this year," Donald told AAP at the combine.
"There are spots in the team's rosters.
"We have some USA sevens girls, they are really keen to come down. We might see some this year."
A new talent stream could come at a handy time for the NRLW.
Club bosses were told last week that the league was still planning to go from 10 teams to 12 in 2025.
The Warriors and Canterbury are the front-runners for licences, with South Sydney another option.
The Warriors' return would help draw in New Zealand talent, while Donald believes America could become a genuine pathway for clubs.
"With a much bigger population, in coming years as the NRLW expands it will be a great opportunity to find talent," Donald said.
"For the males you have to spend a long time in the system before you play NRL.
"But if you look at the number of games our girls have played before they play NRLW, it's a lot less. That gives us a quicker transition."
Female combine winners Megan Pakulis and Marcaya Bailous will spend time with NRLW clubs, while men's winners Kristopher Leach and Michael Woolridge will be given time in men's state cup systems.
Player manager Chris Orr, who initiated the combine, believed the NRL could turn unsigned NFL hopefuls into wingers, centres and second-rowers.
Tafuna was not a winner on Saturday while ill, but stood out in the drills she did complete and has played a small amount of league in New Zealand.
"It combined the two things I love. I love the space of sevens and the contact of 15," Tafuna said.
"The opportunities are there, especially on the women's side. No one is backing the women's game the way NRLW is.
"We see the posts saying the NRL is pouring this much money in. And you think, 'Oh that must be nice. We're getting peanuts over here'."
Tafuna hoped an NRLW debut could open the floodgates for more American talent to trial next year.
"I know heaps of girls who would be perfect for it, but they're not here," she said.
"Because it's not a thing people watch here, they think it's a little sport and a fallback if I don't crack it in union or sevens.
"But I understand the opportunities for me in it and how much Australians love this sport."
AAP's journalist travelled courtesy of the NRL.
Australian Associated Press
