Canberra Raiders look local to uncover international talent as next two NRLW signings revealed

The Leeton Greenies recruited her father Elwyn back in 1997 when Ravu was just a one-year-old and she's been in Australia ever since.

Now the Papua New Guinea international is part of the Canberra Raiders NRLW inaugural squad.

The Raiders announced Ravu and Elise Smith as their next two signings on Friday.

The pair played together for the Riverina Bulls at the NSW country championships and were both spotted at the Raiders' skills clinic at Griffith in January.

Ravu was there as an NRL development officer, but decided it was too good a learning opportunity not to join in.

Now she's earned herself an NRLW contract.

"Pretty exciting stuff. I'm just heaps excited for myself and Elise," Ravu said.

"We played together before so it's exciting to be able to do it together and just basically looking forward to everything.

"I was born in Papua New Guinea and my dad came over to play for the Leeton Greenies ... in '97 so I came over when I was around the age of one years old and basically been here ever since."

Initially, Ravu was part of the PNG Orchids World Cup shadow squad, but an injury saw her called into the squad proper at late notice.

She had just three days before she had to fly to England for last year's tournament.

The 26-year-old started one game at lock and came off the bench in the other two.

Ravu plays for the the Harden Worhawks in the Katrina Fanning Shield and works in Griffith.

"I was picked in the shadow squad to begin with - it's pretty hard to get noticed when you're playing out here in the country and there's girls that are playing in [the Queensland and NSW competitions]," she said.

"Up in PNG they had a big trial day - and we didn't get to have that trial - in August last year.

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"I still kept training in the hope that I would get picked and it was lucky for me and unfortunate for one of the girls - I think there was an injury - but I got to fill that position.

"I had to pack my bag and leave with three days to spare ... it was one of the best experiences going to England."

Second-rower Smith lives in Junee - where Raiders legend Laurie Daley's from.

She was part of the Yass Magpies' Katrina Fanning premiership team last year.

The 29-year-old has previously been part of the ACT Brumbies squad.

"I've been blessed and I'm just so grateful to be able to put this green shirt on, it means so much to me. I'm so happy and excited for the journey," Smith said.

"It's so surreal, it's honestly a dream. You watch those NRLW girls and you aspire to be like them or you look up to them and it's honestly going to be so crazy to train with them.

"I'm so excited to learn from them and take the field with them."

NRL ROUND NINE

April 29: Canberra Raiders v Redcliffe Dolphins at Wagga Wagga, 3pm.

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