‘Super humbling’: Michaela Leonard set to break all-time Wallaroos record

Michaela Leonard didn’t know what a ruck was and hadn’t watched any rugby union in 2018, but quickly rose through the ranks after picking up the sport. The lock has played all around the world, and is now set to break the Wallaroos’ all-time appearance record.

On the sidelines at a North Harbour Stadium after a Wallaroos captain’s run in May 2024, Leonard spoke with RugbyPass before her 25^th Test appearance. Leonard led the sie into battle against the Black Ferns that weekend, about 15 months out from the Rugby World Cup.

Leonard later captained the Wallaroos to their first-ever piece of silverware, taking out the 2024 WXV 2 title in South Africa. Utility Ashley Marsters became the most-capped Wallaroo during that tournament, going one clear of the previous record holder Liz Patu.

Marsters held that piece of history throughout an eventful 2025 season, which saw the Wallaroos spend more than 100 days on the road. The Wallaroos held on for a thrilling 31-all draw with the USA at the World Cup, and ended up qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Leonard started in each appearance at the showpiece event, including the knockout loss to eventual finalists Canada. The second-rower has since re-signed with the Western Force and was included in a couple of Wallaroos training camps to start the new World Cup cycle.

Interim coach Sam Needs selected Leonard in the matchday 23 for Pacific Four Series matches against Canada and the USA, and the lock has been brought back into the First XV to take on the Black Ferns at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

“It’s super humbling. It’s definitely not a position I would have thought that I would have been in, to have been fortunate enough to play the most games for the Wallaroos out of our history,” Leonard told RugbyPass ahead of her record-breaking 46^th appearance for the Wallaroos.

“It’s really humbling, as I said. It’s something that’s really exciting and I don’t take for granted. I’m really proud to have that honour.

“I came into the rugby space in a really fortunate time when the game was growing and we had Super W starting; we went from playing two Tests a year, four Tests a year and then we’re playing 10 or 11 Tests a year now.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

Australia Women

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25 Apr 26

New Zealand Women

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“I’ve been part of a really exciting period of rugby in Australia and I’m really grateful that I came into the sport at the time that I did and I’ve had as many opportunities as I’ve had in this jersey. Wearing the jersey once is incredibly honouring and having the opportunity to do it 46 times and to be in a position to step out onto the field more than anyone so far in our history… the only word I have for it is humbling.

“I know there’s so many women that played before us and put decades and years and hours of blood, sweat and tears into this jersey but didn’t have the pathways and the systems that we have now. I’m super grateful for all the work that they did to get us to the point where we are now, where it is possible to be hitting 46.”

Leonard will pack down alongside Tiarah Minns in the second row, with versatile forward Kaitlan Leaney shifting to blindside flanker. No. 8 Siokapesi Palu Sekona captains a Wallaroos side that is once again chasing history against the Black Ferns.

The Wallaroos reduced their losing margins significantly against the Black Ferns in 2025, but the search for their first-ever win in this matchup continues. As for the Black Ferns, they’re looking to secure the Pac Four title with a win this Saturday.

This will be the first Anzac Day clash between the sides, and the second Wallroos Test on home soil this year after a two-game tour of the USA. The Wallaroos started their season with a 33-15 victory against Fijiana in Canberra last month.

“Anzac Day has huge history across both of our countries and that huge level of camaraderie, mateship, hard work, grind and grit that our soldiers showed during that time is something that you really see translate out onto the rugby field,” Leonard said.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to break history, to make history, to go out there and put on a performance that we can all be proud of.

“I guess having that personal milestone is a nice little one to remember too… when you look back and you can associate it with that first Test on home soil on Anzac day, it’ll be a nice little memory to have.”