Apps has become recognised as one of the best players in the country and was promoted to captain of the side on Saturday, while rugby star Millie Boyle returns to her favoured code as a forward.

"I have always wanted to play league again," Boyle beamed at the announcement. "Apart from rugby it's the main sport I follow."

Meanwhile, Apps said she was thrilled to be named captain and was just looking forward to pulling together the combinations in camp.

"[Being named for the Blues] is a huge honour and I can't wait to get into camp and prepare for June 21, but also being asked to captain the side this year, I was shocked," Apps said.

"I'm so honoured that they see me as a leader."

Ironically for Boyle, it was a lack of a regular Gold Coast rugby team that saw Boyle back on the league field, linking up with the Burleigh Bears.

"I just wanted to play weekend footy so i joined up with the Bears as there wasn't a rugby team on the Gold Coast," Boyle said.

"Its a really strong comp and I'm really enjoying it."

Hot on the heels of being a Super W finalist for the Queensland Reds, she was selected to represent South East Queensland in the Nationals last week where NSW Metro took out the competition.

The link between Apps and Boyle will be the first time the duo have shared a park since a Group 16 All Stars round in 2014.

"I'm so excited to play with Kezie," Boyle beams "We played one tackle game together for Group 16 when I was only 16 - fast forward five years and who would have thought it!

"I would definitely be rather running alongside her than against her," she adds with a laugh.

Related content: From Bega to the big time: the story of Kezie Apps' rugby league journey

For now, the Cobargo export will be able to have a foot in both codes - representing Australia with the Wallaroos against New Zealand and Japan, while also going in to camp for the Blues against her now home state of Queensland.

"I have still been training and focusing on rugby for our upcoming test matches, but the NRL have developed a very professional program, especially with their female athletes which is amazing to see and be apart of it," she said.

"I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to play both codes, but I'll keep on doing so until then."

Asked if she had any messages for home, Boyle made a tongue-in-cheek call for supporters to the opening game.

"Would be awesome to see some familiar faces out at North Sydney Oval on the 21st of June! Surely Bega High School will organise a school bus to make the trip up."

Apps said the NSW side will be aiming for a fourth-straight win over the Maroons.

"We are shooting for four-in-a-row, but we won't mention Queensland's 17-in-a-row," she said with a laugh.