Wallaroos teen relishes start opposite all-time Black Ferns great

Waiaria Ellis is both nervous and excited about the opportunity to line up opposite one of the all-time greats in Ruahei Demant, with the teenager set for a maiden start at fly-half for the Wallaroos against the Black Ferns on Saturday.

Ellis has previously played in the outside backs for the Wallaroos, debuting for the national team as a winger against the Black Ferns in Wellington last July. But the utility back will wear the No. 10 jersey this weekend, in what will be the 100^th Test in Wallaroos history.

The 18-year-old is coming off a strong Super Rugby Women’s campaign with the NSW Waratahs, steering the team to third consecutive title. New South Wales then hosted Super Rugby Aupiki champions the Blues in the Champions Final, losing a thriller 24-17 in Sydney.

As the Wallaroos prepare to resume their international season, Ellis will step up as a key game-driver after being named at fly-half. The Wallaroo will face Black Ferns captain Demant, who is regarded as an all-time great.

Demant helped steer the Black Ferns to Rugby World Cup glory in 2022, serving as co-captain along with Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon). The playmaker was named the World Rugby Player of the Year and later received the prestigious Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial POTY accolade.

“I’m a bit nervous. Growing up, when we were watching the Black Ferns and Wallaroos, growing up watching women’s rugby, Ruahei Demant was definitely someone that I looked up to,” Ellis told reporters on Thursday.

“Even my mum now, when we versed the Blues, she was like, ‘Bubba, get me a photo of Ruahei Demant.’ She’s just such a world-class player. Obviously, all the accolades, they speak for themselves.

“Just being up against her… I never thought I’d be here, up against one of the greatest of all time.

“Just knowing I’m there, having belief min myself as well that I can do a job hopefully one day like her, it’s amazing. Just being up against her, knowing everything that she’s achieved, that I get to verse her and be up against her, it’s pretty surreal I’d say.”

Ellis started a series of Waratahs matches at fly-half in the backend of the season, linking up well with Tia Hinds in the halves. Hinds has captained the Australia Sevens side in Singapore a couple of years ago but has since enjoyed successful stints in XVs.

Hinds debuted for the Wallaroos last year and was later selected to play at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK, before moving back to rugby’s shorter format – helping the Aussies win the HSBC SVNS World Championship on the final day in Bordeaux.

“We got a few games [together] in Super,” Ellis said when asked about Hinds.

“Just having her on the field with me, I think she brings a lot of confidence. She’s obviously a very experienced rugby player, whether that’s in sevens or 15s.

“Also the speed of the game that she brings really helps suit my game as well because I love playing with speed as well…. She obviously brings that speed, that eyes up footy, the knowledge of the game and just really helps lead the team around with me which is great to have.”

Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart are other Waratahs representatives who have been named in the starting backline for the Wallaroos. Cecilia Smith and Alysia Lefau-Fakosilea will link up in the midfield, while Faitala Moleka lines up at fullback.

The Wallaroos have gone with a 5-3 bench split, with Samantha Wood providing cover at scrum-half. Bienne Terita and potential debutant Maddison Levi will also look to make their mark off the pine at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.