WHEN the NSW Waratahs played a Super W fixture in Bathurst earlier this season, it was easy to see the talent of Panuara's Grace Hamilton.
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It is talent which saw her named in the Wallaroos' extended squad, which Australian coach Dwayne Nestor named on Thursday morning as the first step towards the 2021 World Cup.
For the second year running, Hamilton and her fellow NSW Waratahs were crowned Super W champions.
It was star number eight Hamilton who scored the match-winning try with half an hour to go in the decider last weekend, her efforts helping NSW to an 8-5 win over Queensland.
That effort added to other stand out performances during her Super W campaign, including her performance in the 66-12 Super W win over the Rebels.
Though she did not score in Bathurst, Hamilton was the catalyst for a number of the Waratahs' tries and was rock solid in defence.
Still, the humble Central West product who made her Wallabies debut in 2017 instead praised her younger team-mates after the grand final success and highlighted their potential.
"Those young girls that came on, I think gave us that gap, they really did," she told rugby.com.au.
"The future's bright for New South Wales and I can't wait to see what happens."
The future is certainly bright for the Waratahs, but it is for Hamilton too. While she was named in a national squad of 47, she is considered a good chance to once again pull on the green and gold.
READ MORE: Hamilton stars in her return to Central West
Nestor gave her special mention when discussing the potential of his forward pack.
"We showed in 2017 that our forward pack if it gets the set piece right its ability in general play creates a lot of opportunities - players like Grace Hamilton, people like that being able to carry the ball and get good go forward light up the back line," he said.
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The Wallaroos will play four Tests this year, two each against Japan and New Zealand, before next year's brand new Four Nations tournament. With that expanded schedule the need for a more professional environment is on show.
While the timeline for the women's game being completely professionalised remains unknown, Nestor said the 47-strong squad increases the chance for exposure for players like Hamilton.
"It's a big squad and that provides opportunities for a few girls who, in normal circumstances, might not have a chance to be exposed to that kind of environment," he said.
The squad trains in state-based groups before coming together in Newcastle before the first Test against Japan on July 6.
