Fiji set the rugby league world abuzz with their quarter-final victory over New Zealand last Saturday, bundling the 2008 Cup champions out of the tournament.

With Ashton leading the way for the Bati, Sims watched the nail-biting 4-2 victory more intently than most.

“I was on the edge of my seat the whole time,” Sims said.

“I was riding every play as it was happening and it almost felt like I was playing the game. It was such a fantastic outcome for Fiji.”

The Kiwis also fell to Tonga in the pool stage, with both results proof of the danger so-called minnow nations can pose to tournament heavyweights in the international arena.

The Jillaroos have carried pre-tournament favouritism into the women’s Cup, and those odds have only narrowed after breezing through their opening two pool matches against Cook Islands and England.

They will start heavy favourites in their final pool match against Canada on on Wednesday, but Sims said the Bati’s victory showed that the Ravens aren’t to be taken lightly. 

“They’re so raw and so new they throw things at you that seasoned teams don’t,” Sims said.

“They’re background is rugby union and 7’s and that’s such a dynamic space. Bringing that into rugby league brings an unknown dimension that we haven’t come up against before.

“They’re going to throw everything at us and I’ll think they’ll grow another arm and a leg. We’re going to need to be on top of that and it’s going to be tough.”

The Jillaroos will likely face-off against Canada again in Sunday’s semi-final, a day after Ashton and Fiji collide with Australia in the men’s semi.

Having grown up the eldest of the ultra-talented Gerringong-raised Sims clan, Ruan said it was “surreal” to be now sharing the same stage.

“It’s very special. I never thought it would occur in my playing lifetime,” Sims said.

“Women’s rugby league has come along in leaps and bounds since the last World Cup where we were part of the Festival of World Cups. That was the first time it was fully funded.

“Today we have a stand-alone tournament, both the male and female world champions are going to be crowned on the same day. We’re the first [team] sport in the world that’s ever done that and I’m really proud it’s our sport that’s doing it.”

The rapid rise of the women’s game is also why Sims won’t be joining retiring greats Steph Hancock and Renae Kunzt in hanging up the boots post-tournament – particularly with the establishment of a women’s national league on the horizon.

“As long as my mind is able to keep pushing my body to continue doing it, I’ll keep playing,” she said. 

“I definitely don’t feel ready to hang up the boots just yet even though a couple of girls from my era are. 

“I  know there’s a lot of fantastic things that are going to be happening in the very near future in our domestic space. [A national league] is where we’re aiming and I definitely want to be around for the start of that.”