Coming off a fortnight of international rugby league, New Zealand veteran Honey Hireme believes there’s room for more next season leading into the 2021 Women’s World Cup.

In fact, she says, it’s necessary.

The Kiwi Ferns won the inaugural World Cup Nines before copping a 28-8 loss to Australia in a Test match in Wollongong on Friday, but despite a busy year of rugby league, Hireme wants more.

“I think the more Test matches that we can get leading into the World Cup in a couple of years time is only going to be more exciting for us,” the 38-year-old said.

“The extension of the NRLW gives us more footy. The more you play the better the game is going to grow and develop, and girls will get better in terms of their game management and things like that.

“It’s exciting for me to still be involved at this level and see the growth and development.”

A longer NRLW season and an increased international schedule will all be on the table at the end of season review, although there’s no fixed timeline for a schedule to be finalised.

The NRLW is currently a four-team competition played over the NRL finals, however, it’s likely the season will be reinvigorated for 2020.

Potential changes being discussed include doubling the length of the season to include home and away games, as well as the viability of adding more teams to the competition.

As it stands, there is no international schedule confirmed for next season.

Jillaroos and Brisbane skipper Ali Brigginshaw also supports a longer NRLW season as soon as 2020, saying the development at club level only helps the quality of the international game.”

“The game is only going to get better and it’s helping us play more games, play more footy and play with more combinations and that’s what it has come down to,” she said.

“The NRLW is definitely helping us in the Test matches.”