McGrath, who plays in the Canley Heights Dragons A-grade rugby league team, will don the green and gold in November and line up against her homeland in the Women's Rugby League World Cup.

But the two losses at the hands of the Australians haven't made her less wary of the New Zealand side, who are the rugby league defending champions.

``New Zealand will be at the top of the table, they're always hard to beat,'' McGrath said.

The 22-year-old was selected for the side after a strong performance at the Australian Women's Rugby League State of Origin series, even though NSW lost 46-4 in their final game.

``It was a shock that I made the Australian side because I only had one camp to prove myself,'' she said. ``I was just going for the experience, not to make the team.''

McGrath has two training camps in Brisbane before the World Cup kicks off on November 3 on the Sunshine Coast.

Coach Karen Stuart said the squad would give the New Zealand team a challenge.

``There's no doubt the challenge will be New Zealand. They are the benchmark,'' Stuart said.

``We're confident of giving them a good run.''