‘Natural footballer’: sevens ace up for Wallaroos debut
Darren Walton |
The Wallaroos are backing sevens superstar Maddison Levi to make a dazzling Test debut as they plot a hoodoo-busting victory over the mighty Black Ferns in Auckland.
Levi and history-chasing Western Force forward Pia Tapsell have been named on the bench for the Wallaroos’ landmark 100th Test on Saturday.
Levi’s inclusion in the match-day 23 comes after a much-anticipated selection in the Wallaroos’ extended squad last week, while Tapsell is in line to become the first female dual international for both Australia and New Zealand.
Melbourne-born Tapsell played six Tests for the Black Ferns in 2019 and 2020 before moving to the Force in 2024, and was recently given the green light to switch allegiances to Australia under World Rugby guidelines.
Levi is Australia’s leading sevens try-scorer and could follow the path of several of her teammates in becoming an international representative across both formats of the game.
Assistant coach Mike Ruthven has no doubt the 24-year-old is more than ready to make her global mark in the 15-a-side game.
“Look, first and foremost Maddi’s just a really natural footballer,” he said after Thursday’s team naming.
“I think we’ve done a really good job this week to create a space and create an environment where she feels really comfortable to be herself.
“On top of that, she’s a really intelligent footballer. She’s picked things up really quickly. She’s been really confident in her communication.
“So yeah, absolutely no doubt that Maddi’s ready for this challenge.”
After losing all 30 previous Tests against New Zealand, including a last-up Anzac Day battle 40-5 on the Sunshine Coast, the Wallaroos will need Levi to fire and offer an X-factor to compete with the Black Ferns.
Ruthven, though, insists his side isn’t merely chasing a pass mark to show the Wallaroos are bridging the gap ahead of the 2028 women’s World Cup on Australian soil.
The Wallaroos have lost their past eight trans-Tasman Tests by an average of close to 40 points, yet Ruthven maintains an elusive breakthrough is within Australia’s capabilities.
“We’ve come here with the mindset that we can win the game,” he said.
“That’s certainly how we’re prepared. That’s certainly been the messaging to the group this week.
“We’ve focused really hard on certain aspects of the game that are going to position us to go out and perform.”
The starting backline includes Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, who will play her first Test match for the Wallaroos since 2019, while Tia Hinds has been named to start at scrumhalf, with Samantha Wood shifting to the bench.
Waiaria Ellis partners Hinds in the halves for her first start in the Wallaroos No.10 jersey after a strong Super Rugby Women’s campaign, with Faitala Moleka named at fullback.
The forward pack includes recalled Wallaroos prop Allana Sikimeti, who returns to the side after two years, with Siokapesi Palu Sekona to lead the team and Kaitlan Leaney given the vice-captaincy.
The Wallaroos have played 99 Test matches since 1994, with Saturday’s 100th a significant milestone on the eve of the WXV Global Series in September.
The Wallaroos will travel to Manchester to meet World Cup champions England, before away Tests against France in Marseille and Scotland in Edinburgh.
WALLAROOS: Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt), Lily Bone, Piper Duck, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis, Desiree Miller, Cecilia Smith, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Maya Stewart, Faitala Moleka. Res: Brittany Merlo, Allana Sikimeti, Bridie O’Gorman, Pia Tapsell, Emily Chancellor, Samantha Wood, Bienne Terita, Maddison Levi
AAP