The New Zealand women's national rugby league team had toured Australia in 1995, winning all seven matches including the two internationals.

[6] The visitors travelled under the auspices of the Australian Women's Rugby League and were obliged to make a significant contribution to the financial cost of their trip.

Representative teams from Brisbane, Canberra, Illawarra, NSW Country and Sydney competed.

[1][6][10] Julie McGuffie, who had captained Australia in the previous year's matches against Great Britain, was unavailable due to injury.

[9] Notes: The New Zealand team was selected at the conclusion of a national provincial tournament held on the weekend of 13 and 14 September 2017.