Davis ready to hook in with rep teams

Young gun Keeley Davis needs little motivation to take an opportunity and she sees one with a fill-in switch to hooker last year set to become permanent.

The Dragons teenager has risen through the women's ranks over the past 12 months after graduating from the successful Illawarra Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup side in 2018.

At 18, she made her international debut for Australia as a bench utility before replacing regular hooker Brittany Breayley in last year's Test match in the starting role.

It's a position Davis isn't too familiar with after playing most of her junior career in the halves but a challenge she's willing to take on in a bid to remain part of the Jillaroos' 2021 World Cup preparations.

"I didn't really have confidence at hooker, I hadn't played any at all before the first season of the NRLW," Davis told NRL.com.

"But I think we've discovered I'm definitely a hooker, I feel more comfortable there and it's more suited for me to push up through the ruck and run off quick play-the-balls.

"This year is the first year I'm going to play club footy at hooker so I'm excited for that. I feel like I've got a lot to learn there."

Davis could get her chance to retain the Jillaroos No.9 jersey in the rescheduled women's State of Origin clash in November.

The Corrimal Cougars product is in rare company, joining only Julia Robinson as current Jillaroos to represent Australia before playing State of Origin football.

I'm excited for that. I feel like I've got a lot to learn there

Keeley Davis on playing hooker

An elbow injury halted the 19-year-old's push for NSW selection last season but with the retirement of veteran dummy half Kylie Hilder, the hooker spot is now up for grabs south of the border.

Davis spent last year's NRLW season alongside Breayley at the Dragons and acknowledges the Queensland vice-captain as the benchmark dummy half in the game.

"I took a lot out of the standard Britt has with her passing and little bits of her game [last year]," Davis said.

"There are a lot of players coming through but probably not at Britt's level yet, and there aren't many utilities coming through so it's good for me to be able to play six as well."

Davis will join Cronulla for the resumption of the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership next month before the NRLW begins in September.

A qualified personal trainer, Davis made the most of self-isolation by opening a home-style gym during the break.