Jenna Rowsell, who is now based in Brisbane, was a member of the Austraian women's 27s team beaten in the final by New Zealand. Rob White from Newcastle played in the Australian men's 35s side. The Australians downed New Zealand in the decider.

Jenna said the experience of playing in the World Cup was 'unbelievable.'

"It was my first World Cup and the first time I've represented Australia, so I was pretty nervous at the start,'' she said.

However, once the games started Jenna settled into the role. She played link.

Jenna admits to being 'a bit disappointed' with the result in the final. New Zealand beat Australia 8-5 in the pool round so went into the final as favourites.

The Australians squandered some chances in the match.

"We had it,'' Jenna said.

"But we made a mistakes at crucial times towards the end of the game - a couple of dropped balls - and we let them back into it.''

The New Zealanders eventually prevailed 5-4, with Jenna one of Australia's try scorers.

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While the games against New Zealand were intense, Jenna admitted most of the pool rounds were one-sided - the Australians beating South Africa 14-0, Singapore 13-3 while the semi-final resulted in a 12-0 demolition of England.

The heat was always a challenge, she added.

"It was so hot in all the games,'' Jenna said.

"I was sweating so much - and I never sweat.''

Jenna hopes to get another crack at the New Zealanders and understands there's a Trans Tasman series next year.

"I'd love to be part of it,'' she said.

Rob White is a relative latecomer to touch football.

"I played a bit when I was younger in Taree with my brothers, but nothing too much,'' he said.

It wasn't until he moved to Newcastle that he started to get serious about the sport.

"I was about 22 when I started playing here,'' Rob said.

The speed and skill level soon had him hooked.

Now he plays up to five times a week in various competitions in Newcastle. Rob, 38, was invited to attend selection trials in Brisbane earlier this year for the Australian side and was successful in gaining a berth in the over 35 men's team for the World Cup. This was the first time he'd represented Australia.

As was the case with all the other divisions, the 35s came down to a clash between Australia and New Zealand. However, Rob said the other nations were willing in the round games.

"Even though the scores blew out in some of the matches the other nations were competitive,'' he said.

Rob agreed the conditions were testing.

"We played the final at 11.30 and it was the hottest part of the day,'' he said.

"It was incredibly hot.''

The Australians went into the game with instructions to run the ball at every opportunity. Rob, who played as a middle, described the game as the quickest he's played. Australia looked to have secured the gold medal when they led 5-2 deep into the match, however, the Kiwis rallied, with Australia finally winning the contest 6-5.

"It was a great match,'' he said.

"They came back at us, but we managed to hold on.''

Rob's looking forward to getting back into the domestic touch football scene in Newcastle. But now he's had a taste of international touch, he hopes to get another chance in the future.