Matildas star Larissa Crummer is a step closer to becoming an elite player in a second sport after being invited to showcase her talents to NRLW coaches and recruiters.

Crummer will join US Olympic medallist Kayla Canett, emerging AFLW star Tannah Hurst and Canadian international Caitlin Sears as “wildcards” at the Harvey Norman Rising Talent Invitational in Newcastle.

The two-day event, staged ahead of this weekend’s inaugural NRLW Magic Round, will also feature players from across Australia and the Pacific, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea.




Former Matildas forward Larissa Crummer has become as prolific at scoring tries for Sunshine Coast Falcon as she was at scoring goals.


Former Matildas forward Larissa Crummer has become as prolific at scoring tries for Sunshine Coast Falcon as she was at scoring goals.
©QRL Media

A junior touch football representative, Crummer took up league this year after 33 appearances for the Matildas and has been playing for Sunshine Coast Falcons in Queensland’s BMD Women’s Premiership.

Playing on the wing for the Falcons, the former A-League Golden Boot winner boasts an impressive strike rate of five tries in as many matches and won the club’s player’s player award in their Round 4 defeat of Mackay Cutters.

The 29-year-old is one of 11 wildcards offered a place at the Rising Talent Invitational, along with Canett, Hurst, Sears and a host of talented rookies looking for a chance.

The include Pypah Ferguson, whose sister Jada plays for the Broncos, Year 12 student Kaylani Tavita, a cousin of Destiny Brill, and former Roosters Tarsha Gale Cup backrower Natalie Mane.

Canett, aa member of the US sevens team that beat Australia for the bronze medal at last year’s Paris Games, took part in the NRL’s Vegas Combine earlier this year and is looking to break into the NRLW.

The NRLW hopefuls will be divided into four teams, competing in a round-robin style tournament on Friday and Saturday, leading into Magic Round at McDonald Jones Stadium.

In addition, the players will undergo position-specific skill assessments on Friday, with coaches and recruitment staff from the 12 NRLW clubs in attendance.

Among those hoping to impress will be players chosen from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, First Nations Gems, NSW and Queensland pathways and Affiliated States who have demonstrated strong potential to compete at the elite level.

Hurst, 21, won the player of the match award in the past two VFL grand finals, playing for Collingwood in 2023 and Western Bulldogs in 2024, while Sears has played representative rugby league and rugby union in New Zealand.

Sears made her debut for Canada last year against the United States and is expected to play for the Ravens in October’s World Series in Toronto, which will determine the final women’s berth at RLWC2026. 

She is hoping to join Titans forward Megan Pakulis, a 2024 NRL Vegas Combine winner, as only the second Canadian to play in the NRLW as aspiring players aim to impress at the Rising Talent Invitational. 

The NRLW hopefuls will be divided into four teams, competing in a round-robin style tournament on Friday and Saturday, leading into Magic Round at McDonald Jones Stadium.

In addition, the players will undergo position-specific skill assessments on Friday, with coaches and recruitment staff from the 12 NRLW clubs in attendance.

Among those hoping to impress will players chosen from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, First Nations Gems and the Combined Affiliated States who have demonstrated strong potential to compete at the elite level.

They include some recognisable names, such as PNG Orchids centre Belinda Gwasamun and forward Sareka Mooka, Fiji Bulikula international Sienna Laing and PM’s XIII representative Jasmin Morrisey. 

Harvey Norman Rising Talent Invitational

Combined Affiliated States

Georgina Hemopo (Vic)
Jacinda Lei Summers (NT)
Jade Te Aute (Vic)
Kailey Thompson (WA)
Kateraina Horner (WA)
Rebecca Nelio (Vic)
Samantha Treherne (WA)
Zion Taurima (WA)

First Nations Gems Pathways

Jasmin Morrisey (NSW)
Aaliyah Lomas (NSW)
Brandy Simpson (NSW)
Chloe Patrick (NSW)
Kaliyah Browning (NSW)
Koolie Harbour (QLD)
Mirrikie Shaw (NSW)
Sareka Mooka (QLD)
Tahni Evenis (QLD)
Tedashii Cora (QLD) 

PNG Pathways

Marie Biyama
Belinda Gwasamun
Josephine Howard
Leila Kerowa
Meli Joe
Yolanda Taute 

Fiji Pathways

Amy Lavenia Peters
Asenaca Diranuve
Naomi Sivoi Tegu
Salote Botei Sukakinamena
Vasemaca Duva

NSW Pathways

Chantel Tugaga
Bianca Cutrupi
Brandii Davis-Welsh
Carissa Reid
Danielle Seckold
Kayla Henderson
Sarah Colman
Shaye Shipton
Sienna Stewart
Tyla Brown
Tyler Pelligra 

Queensland Pathways

Athena Vili
Portia Bourke
Rhemy Hinckesman
Ruby Fifita
Sienna Laing
Tahlia Marshall
Tarleah Fisher-Pearson
Taylor Fenton
Tylah Phillips
Zoe Cook 

Wild Cards

Caitlin Sears (NZ)
Heidi Regan (NSW)
Kayla Canett (NSW)
Kaylani Tavita (NSW)
Larissa Crummer (Qld)
Libby Surha (Qld)
Natalie Mane (NSW)
Pypah Ferguson (Qld)
Rosaline Aumale (NSW)
Sarah Coleman (NSW)
Tannah Hurst (Vic) 

Tickets to NRLW Magic Round are selling fast. Head to NRL.com/tickets to get your tickets and witness history live. 

 

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