NRLW star Emma Verran calls for Wallaroos to 'get creative' with home World Cup recruitment
NRLW star Emma Verran has called for Rugby Australia to get creative with their recruitment ahead of the 2029 Women's World Cup as the Wallaroos look to become a global threat.
Australia's run at the World Cup in England came to an end on Sunday after they suffered a brutal 46-5 loss against world No.2 Canada.
Questions about the vast level of experience across Australia's line were once again raised after the loss, despite the Wallaroos seemingly heading in the right direction.
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But the gap between Australia and the top four teams in the competition is still large.
The Wallaroos have never featured in a World Cup final, with their best finish being third-place during the 2010 tournament in England.
Desiree Miller of Australia reacts during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. Getty
As for the 2025 World Cup hosts, England, the squad has featured in eight of the nine finals in the major tournament. The one final they missed, the team finished third overall.
Wallaroos utility Lori Cramer has been clear with her belief that Australia has enough talent in their ranks to become a greater power, but Verran believes that the assistance of players from rival codes could be key to unlocking the future of the squad.
"It's a win that they made the quarter finals. Canada are second in the world so it was a pretty tough ask," she said on Nine's Wide World of Sports.
"I think the question is moving forward to the home World Cup in 2029, how are they going to bridge that gap between the top teams?
"Leading into that World Cup there is going to need to be some creativity in rugby union.
"I don't know if they will look at NRLW players or a look at different cross codes, but there definitely has to be some thought in to how they are going to bridge that gap."
Watch every match of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 streaming live and on-demand on Stan Sport with Wallaroos matches also live on the 9Network and 9Now
Having played rugby herself before making the switch to league, Verran floated one NRLW superstar who would be the perfect fit to make the jump to union.
"I think Olivia Kernick would be an absolutely amazing rugby player," said the Sharks star.
"I'd love to see her give rugby a crack.
Olivia Kernick (centre) of the Blues celebrates. Getty
"She was the Dally M Player of the Year last year. She is a big, mobile forward. She is super athletic ... she would be awesome in that line out option."
While Kernick would be a powerful coup for the Wallaroos, Verran did not shy away from voicing her hope for two rugby stars to make a move in the opposite direction.
"I have my eye on two girls, I might have to get the Sharks recruiter to give them a call,"
"I think Maddi Levi from the sevens would be amazing and so would Tia Hinds - I think she would be an awesome halfback.
"Maddi is just so fast and can do some amazing things. Coming out of yardage she would be amazing."
Maddison Levi Getty
Australian rugby legend Tim Horan echoed Verran's call for more creativity in the recruitment department, declaring that the hosts of a World Cup should at least make the semi finals.
"When you have a home World Cup, you have to make your home semi final at least," he added.
"They need to go and look for other talent in others sports."
