NRL 2024: NRLW; NRL Combine, Las Vegas, MarCaya Bailous, Megan Pakulis, USA, Canada; Combine winners to play at National Championships

When Megan Pakulis was approached to play at the 2017 World Cup in Australia, she thought it sounded too good to be true but now the hard hitting forward is hoping to inspire other North Americans to set their sights on the NRLW.

Pakulis and USA international MarCaya Bailous will arrive in Australia next week to play at the Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships on the Gold Coast after being selected as the two female winners at the NRL Combine in Las Vegas.

Despite being named in the team of the tournament at the last World Cup in England in 2022, Pakulis believed the NRLW was out of reach and had been considering playing in the Women’s Super League until the Combine.

NRL Combine: Athletes put to the test

The 27-year-old lock and Bailous, an outside back, will play for the First Nations Gems at the National Championships before being taken on a tour of NRLW clubs with a view to earning contracts for the upcoming season.

“I have…