Hilder started playing touch in Taree. Although she now lives in Forster she still leads the Taree women's side in the State Cup played in each December.

Hilder has now played in four successful World Cup campaigns - two with women's teams and the last two with the mixed. The tournament has taken Hilder to Japan, South Africa and Scotland before this year's event at Coffs.

Australia dominated the World Cup, winning eight of the nine divisions.

"But we had a young mixed team,'' Hilder said, adding she was proud of the character the players showed to win the final.

Predictably Australia and New Zealand faced off for honours. Australia earlier beat New Zealand in what was almost literally a pool game - the players battling through mud after days of torrential rain. Hilder admits she's never played in such difficult conditions.

“It was ridiculous,” she said.

However, the Kiwis gained the imitative in the final.

"With about six minutes to go we were down 5-3,'' Hilder said.

Then a New Zealander was sent to the sin bin. This proved pivotal as the Australians hit back.

“We just went boom, boom, boom and it was all over. In the end we won pretty convincingly, 8-5,” Hilder said.

Rain marred the event and forced the cancellation of play on one day. The draw was revamped with teams having to play five 25 minute games on the one day leading into the finals.

While the Australians won most games convincingly, Hilder said some of the minnow nations are showing promise.

“Scotland and England were both tough. We only beat Scotland 4-0, although it was in a 25 minute game,'” she said.

“But their touch is improving. The Japanese were unreal, they're just so quick. They just need more structure.”

Hilder thinks there were about 15 nations at her first World Cup. There were 25 in Coffs Harbour.

But it wasn't just the win that made Coffs Harbour special, she insisted.

All of Hilder's family were there to see what will be her swansong at open international level, including her husband Troy and sons Nate and Ashton as well as her mum and dad.

Hilder was also the face of the World Cup - appearing on banners throughout Coffs promoting the event.

She's now an ambassador for touch, working with the Touch Australia and the clothing company BLK. This will go hand-in-hand with her job as NRL development officer for this area as the two codes are now linked.

Hilder has retired previously from big time touch only to make a comeback. But this time it's permanent she assures at least with the open sides.

“I might look at the older age groups,'' she said.

“They don't take up as much time with the players usually not getting together until just before the events.”

However she explained that not many other countries play these in women or mixed divisions.

“Usually they don't go any higher than 27 women,” she said.

The next World Cup will be in Malaysia in four years. Hilder was non-committal on whether she's a chance to be there.

“I don't think so, but you never say never,” she answered.