Eligible to represent NSW and New Zealand, Rima Butler has backed a change to the women's international eligibility rules as she prepares to make a difficult decision on her representative future.
In the first season of a two-year contract with Sydney Roosters, Butler has continued to prove that she is one of the most physical forwards in the NRLW.
Forming a lethal combination with Kiwi Ferns prop Otesa Pule in the middle of the field, Butler has played a key role in the Roosters quest to complete the regular season undefeated.
Now in her fourth NRLW season after stints with Parramatta and Newcastle, Butler has scored five tries for the Roosters - more than doubling her previous combined tally.
Tru July: Rima the chicken
Having already played in two grand finals, which included a premiership with the Knights in 2023, Butler has achieved nearly all the NRLW has to offer and is now eying off representative honours.
However, the Minto-born forward faces the perplexing decision on whether to represent New Zealand or keep her State of Origin dream alive.
Instead, she hopes to do both if International Rugby League removes the tiering system for the women's game to help England become more competitive after their 90-4 defeat by the Jillaroos in Las Vegas.
Roosters team-mates Jasmin Strange and Jocelyn Kelleher have expressed a desire to play for England and such a move would also benefit the Kiwi Ferns, with Olivia Kernick and Butler eligible for New Zealand.
"I've heard a lot of chat about them changing their eligibility rules, and I'd love that because then I'd be up in the front row with Tessa [Pule], who plays Kiwis, and then also represent the state I was born in," Butler told ljmpta.com ahead of Thursday night's Round 11 clash with the Sharks.
"That'd be crazy, representing my parents' heritage and then representing the state I was born in.
"I've been weighing it up a lot and I know it's coming close to my time where I should make the decision, but I really want to try and crack the Origin squad.
"I see a lot of these Roosters girls wear the Blues jumper and I know the calibre of athletes that they are and that's what I aspire to be like.
"I'm really pushing myself to try and impress the coaches and get there."
Joining the Roosters ahead of this season, Butler revealed that coach John Strange played a significant part in her signing with the club following stints with the Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights.
"I really wanted to come back to Sydney because I'm from Sydney and when Strangey approached me and said that he wants to sign me, I was like oh my God, that's so good," Butler said.
"I've had him as an assistant coach for [Māori] All Stars, so I knew he was a great coach and a great person."
Although she had already spent time with Strange, Butler was still pinching herself once he first approached to land her signature.
"The club is of such high calibre, and I was like they want me to come and play? I better play good then," she said.
"I was so excited to play because I've versed a lot of them but I didn't get to play with them and now I get to play with them and they're incredible athletes."
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 11 -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
