Former Wallaroos playmaker Dallinger eyes black jersey with Chiefs deal

The Chiefs Manawa have bolstered their playmaking stocks with the addition of Wallaroos first five-eighth, Carys Dallinger.

The Rotorua product began her Super Rugby career with the Hurricanes before being offered a crack in the Wallaroos setup and signing a deal with the Queensland Reds.

With her Wallaroos career limited to just six caps, the 25-year-old is headed home, and says she’s filled with pride to be representing the Chiefs.

“The opportunity to come home and pull on a jersey I’ve dreamt of wearing since I was a kid is genuinely humbling. At this point in my career, I was seeking a new challenge and an environment that I was confident could continue to help me grow and evolve as a player.

“I firmly believe my best footy is still ahead of me, and with the squad we’ve assembled, and the leadership of Sweens and Carla, I know this is somewhere I can make a meaningful contribution. I am so proud to come home and call myself a Chief.”

Chiefs Manawa head coach Dwayne Sweeny said the club was thrilled to bring Dallinger home, where she has her eyes on a Black Ferns call-up.

“We’re creating an environment that fosters healthy competition and a sense of unity – a team that’s better together. Sweeney continued, “Carys is driven to come home and make a difference and strive for that black Jersey. She’s shown a desire to want to compete and that’s exactly what we want”

The Chiefs Manawa were defeated by the Blues in the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki final, and have suffered a couple of key losses ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Mererangi Paul has departed the club for the reigning champion Blues, while Renee Holmes is making the move to Wellington to link up with the Hurricanes Poua.

The Super Rugby Aupiki season has been moved back in the calendar for 2026, and will now start in June.