If you'd told Kaitlyn Phillips 12 months ago it wouldn't be long before she lined up for NSW Country at the Harvey Norman Women's National Championships she's have used those two words.

Phillips' meteoric rise through the women's rugby league ranks will reach a new high water mark on Thursday at the national championship at Burleigh, where she'll make her NSW Country debut alongside another former Orange Hawk.

Vanessa Foliaki is part of country's 22-strong squad set to defend the championship won in 2018.

Phillips hadn't met Foliaki until Saturday's grueling six-hour training run at Penrith but she says the ex-two blues league tag gun has paved the way for players like herself to make a real fist of rugby league.

"It's a bit cool," Phillips said joining forces with Foliaki for the titles at Pizzey Park, Burleigh.

"Growing up in Orange, I knew she was from here and knowing she made the big time has to be a bit inspiring.

"She's really impressive at training. You can already tell she'd be solid in defence. I wouldn't run at her."

Which is saying something considering the form Phillips has been in for NSWRL women's premiership leaders Mounties.

The 21-year-old backrower has started every game for the Mulgas but hopes to "provide a bit of impact" off the bench for NSW Country in their first game against the Australian Defence Force on Thursday.

NSW Country then takes on Queensland Country in their second game on Saturday before, if all goes to plan, another shot at the crown on Sunday.

Phillips said being the defending champions means "everyone is going to want to beat us" but there's a couple of handy teammates she says are leading the charge.

"Obviously Kezie Apps is a backrower and one of the best so she's one of the main ones I look up to," Phillips added.

"They're all paving the way for us. Ruan (Sims) is another, she's great for the game."

Six teams will compete at the championships with NSW City joining Phillips and the Country girls alongside Queensland Country, South East Queensland, the Affiliated States side and Australian Defence Force outfits.

Parkes' Talesha Quinn will line-up in the ADF side.

The tournament acts as a major selection process for upcoming Origin selection, while representatives from NRLW clubs are also expected to scout for talent with contracts possibly offered for the competition in September.

Dates: May 30 to June 2, 2019

POOL 1: South East Queensland (SEQ), NSW City, Combined Affiliated States (CAS)

POOL 2: Queensland Country, NSW Country, Australian Defence Force (ADF)

DAY 1 - Thursday May 30:

12pm - CAS v NSW City; 1.15pm - ADF v NSW Country.

DAY 2 - Friday May 31:

12pm - CAS v SEQ; 1.15pm - ADF v QLD Country.

DAY 3 - Saturday June 1:

12pm - SEQ v NSW City; 1.45pm - QLD Country v NSW Country.

DAY 4 - Sunday June 2:

10.30am - Third (Pool A) v Third (Pool B); 12.00pm - Second (Pool A) v Second (Pool B); 1.45pm - First (Pool A) v First (Pool B).