Returning from retirement at 40 years old, Titans prop Steph Hancock is the NRLW's ageless wonder

Age 40 is when most top-level rugby league players have the feet up, thinking how great they used to be. Maybe they're in the front bar watching a game and telling anyone who will listen how much better things were back in their day.

Not Steph Hancock, who crossed the big four zero during the week, but is still lacing up the boots and looking exactly like what she's been for almost 20 years – one of the best props in the world.

Hancock, the oldest top-level player in the country, came out of retirement for Gold Coast's inaugural NRLW season in what was originally meant to be just a year of bench cameos for the fledgling Titans.

But Hancock, who made her Jillaroos debut in 2003, was pitched into the starting side last week and helped guide the club to their first win, a 26-16 triumph over the Roosters.

She'll again start at prop against Parramatta on Sunday, taking on players half her age and showing them that even after two decades at the top level, you're only as old as you feel.

«We've got a lot of young girls, I think 14 of them are under 20. My little buddy April (Ngatupuna) came off the bench and got her first taste and all she could say to me was 'holy bloody hell' because it was so overwhelming,» Hancock said.

«But they're enjoying every second of it. It was pretty scrappy, I shouldn't be so hard on us, it was only our second game together. I'm proud of us for getting our first win but we all know we can play a lot better than that.

»Usually the second day is the worst but the first two hours after the game I'm struggling, I need help coming out of the ice bath. But I've loved every second of it. I didn't expect to play this much, I thought it would be a bit of impact off the bench.

«I don't know why Jamie (Feeney, coach)