Sydney Roosters forward Rima Butler has put her hand up for Jillaroos selection after believing for the first time that she is worthy of representing the world champions.
Butler has been in career best form since joining the Roosters from Newcastle to replace the pregnant Millie Elliott and she could also take the star prop’s place in the Australian team announced on Monday for the Pacific Championships.
After winning a premiership with the Knights in 2023, Butler will line up for her third grand final on Sunday against the Broncos following a stint with Parramatta in 2022.
The 27-year-old is also eligible for New Zealand and played for the Māori All Stars earlier this year, while she was also a member of the extended 30-player NSW Origin squad.
Rima Butler and Olivia Kernick at the Roosters’ captains run ahead of Sunday grand final.
©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
“I just thought like I wouldn’t have a chance “I just thought that with so many great girls playing for the Jillaroos I wouldn’t have a chance, so I’ve never put my hand up,” Butler said.
“I was born and raised here in Australia, I have always wanted to play Origin and I had a chat with my mum and I said, ‘a lot of people are asking me now what would I pick’ and she said ‘it’s whatever you decide. I’m backing you either way’.
“I would love to play for Jillaroos. I just wouldn’t have thought that they would look at me at all, but after having a good season, I possibly could have the chance and I would be honoured if I did. Then I’d still be eligible for Origin, which is a dream.
“In previous years I was thinking that could never be possible and now I’m like, ‘oh my God, I actually could have a shot at this’.
“I think it just really comes down to how hard we’ve all been working and especially myself, more than I have in previous years.”
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Rima Butler 2nd Try
Butler said she has never felt better physically or mentally and the move to the Roosters has enabled her to spend more time with her son Cassius after having to leave him in Minto with her mum while she relocated to Newcastle to play.
“It’s been less stress because I get to be home with my son and he’s in his first year of school this year kindergarten, so I didn’t have to miss anything,” she said. “Being close to family, I have more people to lean on when I am home too.
“I hardly saw him last year during the season and the year before too, because I was at the Knights for two years. It was really tough because I’d go home and he’s like grown like 10cm.
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Rima Butler Try
“There were little milestones that I was missing and that why I knew this year, especially with him starting kindergarten, I was like ‘no, I really want to be there, I don’t want to miss his first award and things like that’.
“I’ve been able to go to all those assemblies and awards, so I’m really grateful for that now. I feel better as well.”
Under Roosters coach John Strange, Butler is also the fittest she has ever been and is averaging more than 40 minutes per match in the frontrow.
Butler has scored five tries in 12 matches and is averaging 119m per game with the ball.
“I’m fitter and probably stronger than I have been, and I’ve been playing pretty consistent footy,” Butler said. “That’s what I’ve been really aiming for, to play consistently and to play a bit of a longer stint.
“Strangey’s really brought the best out of me footy wise and the other staff, especially our strength and conditioning coach and dietitian, have really been really great for me.
“I’m doing more extras off-feet, even post-game. I’ll play Sunday night and I’ll be doing off-feet extras on the Monday, extras before our field session, extras after the gym – putting in the little one percenters, so I know I’m getting fitter and better every week.
“Our dietitian is just tracking what we eat and that that way I can like drop a few kgs. They never tell me that I need to, but I always said that my goal was to drop a few and to be as fit as I can.
“I am eating well, fuelling right and it shows on the field, even when I am training I feel way better than I have in previous years.
“Hopefully we can get one more win to finish off a great season.”