NRLW star set to spark Kiwi Ferns in long-awaited Test debut

The Kiwi Ferns will unveil an exciting new halves combination for their clash against Australia this weekend, featuring a pair of ex-Black Ferns Sevens stars in Gayle Broughton and Tyla King.

King made an immediate impact in her debut outing in this same fixture last year, helping the Ferns to their first victory over their trans-Tasman rivals since 2016. But it's her halves partner who shapes as this weekend's most intriguing prospect.

After moving on from sevens having secured gold at the Tokyo Olympics, Broughton signed on with the Parramatta Eels and took the NRLW world by storm, winning rookie of the year in her debut season.

The Hawera product has since moved to the Brisbane Broncos, who she helped to a semi-final berth in 2024, earning a nomination for a spot on the Dally M team of the year.

Having made herself available for international play for the first time, Broughton will line up against her Broncos halves partner Alli Brigginshaw, a former Dally Medallist who's widely considered one of the game's best, in a showdown which may well determine the outcome of the contest.

"I'm really excited to see Gayle Broughton for her debut," Kiwi Ferns great Honey Hireme-Smiler told SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.

"We've been waiting for her for a year now. She made herself unavailable last year because she didn't feel she was quite ready for it after her first year in the NRL and she was struggling with a couple of niggles, but she's fit and ready to go.

"She's had an outstanding season with the Broncos, so I can't wait to see what she does in that No. 6 jersey.

"She's up against the legend, the GOAT herself, Ali Briggenshaw. That's going to be a realy interesting clash because they play such different styles.

Hireme-Smiler believes the tandem of Broughton and King will bring a new dynamic to the team, part of the innovative approach brought to the table by head coach Ricky Henry.

"I really love what Ricky Henry has done with the team," she said. The team's really evolved under his coaching and it's almost just this new age of player that he's now coaching.

"Some of the skillsets that these Kiwi Ferns players have got is going to be unbelievable. I'm really excited to see them put their skills out there in front of New Zealand.

The Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos play the opening match in a double-header, followed by the Kiwis against the Kangaroos at a sold-out Apollo Projects Stadium.

"It's been a little while since they had a home game and especially in front of a sold out crowd down in Christchurch. I think it's going to be a massive game."

Listen to the full interview below: