NRL: Women's Rugby League World Cup to be played alongside men's

Kiwi Ferns Maitua Feterika scores a try against the Australia Jillaroos. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The women's Rugby League World Cup will be played alongside the men's competition next year, culminating in the first double-header final in the tournament's history.

World champion Australian will host the tournament for the first time since 2008, when it was held at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland.

Next year's six-team competition will be played out of Southern Cross Group Stadium in Cronulla, beginning November 16, before the final is played at Suncorp Stadium before the corresponding men's match on December 2.

"It's only fitting these gifted athletes get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage and we see next year's Women's Rugby League World Cup as a game charger for the sport," RLWC2017 chief executive Andrew Hill said.

"We have been able to create what is a milestone moment for the sport"

"It has always been the board's vision to have the Women's Rugby League World Cup played concurrently with the men's tournament."

Usually held in conjunction with the Festival of Rugby League World Cups, which includes police, defence, wheelchair and university competitions, the move represents a large step forward in the women's game.

Cronulla and St George Illawarra have each established women's Nines teams as the push intensifies for a code-wide competition.

The Jillaroos clash against New Zealand was broadcast on the Nine Network's main channel for the first time this year, while a matches between the two countries are now played at the Auckland Nines.

The sport recorded a 26 per cent jump in participation in 2015.

- AAP