Why Wallaroos coach has ‘no doubt’ Maddison Levi is ready for Test debut

HSBC SVNS Series phenom Maddison Levi is in line to debut for the Wallaroos against the Black Ferns, without having played any Super Rugby Women’s. But Wallaroos assistant coach Mike Ruthven has complete confidence in Levi, expecting the SVNS star to “do really well” in 15s.

Levi has signed on to play in the inaugural Ultimate Sevens season, before the 2027 HSBC SVNS Series gets underway in late November, but will first get the chance to feature for the Wallaroos in an O’Reilly Cup Test in Auckland.

Two days out from the 100^th Wallaroos Test, which will be played at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the team to face the Black Ferns was revealed. Levi is one of two possible debutants in the matchday 23, with another big-name inclusion on the bench.

Melbourne-born Pia Tapsell made six appearances for the Black Ferns but is now eligible for the Wallaroos. The Wallaroos team feels quite familiar, with the likes of Siokapesi Palu Sekona and Desiree Miller named, but the inclusion of Levi is a major talking point.

Levi was set to represent the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Women’s last year, but a hand injury cut the two-time Olympian’s 15s campaign short. Before returning to rugby’s shorter format, the “natural footballer” will wear the Wallaroos’ No. 23 jumper.

“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,” Ruthven told reporters.

“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.

“Absolutely no doubt that Maddi’s ready for this challenge and she’ll do really well on the weekend.”

Levi was a headline-grabbing inclusion in the Wallaroos squad to initially head across to New Zealand, spending more than a week together in camp ahead of this Test. Another three uncapped players were named, including Western Force forward Tapsell.

The 24-year-old is second all-time on the SVNS Series try-scoring charts, moving ahead of Black Ferns Sevens great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe last season, but remains behind another New Zealander Michalea Brake (nee Blyde).

“We just want to create time and space for her and then we want to allow her to go and do her thing,” Ruthven added.

“Big focus on creating opportunity for her. If we can do that, really confident that she’ll be able to go and do her thing.

“We’ve seen her so many times in the sevens space where she’s been one-on-one with opposition and we all know what that looks like.

“We’ve just created an environment for her to feel really comfortable and confident to be herself.”

Levi features in a Wallaroos side that is looking to make history across the ditch, having never beaten the Black Ferns. The smallest margin between the sides was a six-point ballgame in Canberra back on October 18, 2008.

10 NSW Waratahs players have been named in this Wallaroos side, following another Super Rugby Women’s-winning campaign. The Tahs also fell just shy in the Champions Final against the Blues in Sydney.

Auckland has hosted more Tests between the sides than any other city, and the all-time stats may favour the Black Ferns in this matchup, but the Wallaroos have made the trip to New Zealand with the belief that they can make history.

“We’ve come here with the mindset that we can win the game. That’s certainly how we’ve prepared; that’s certainly been the messaging to the group this week,” he said.

“We’ve focused really hard on certain aspects of the game that are going to position us to go out and perform really well.

“Focus on performance, with the understanding that if we can be really consistent around that, hopefully the outcome will look after itself.

“We’ve certainly come here with the mindset that we can win this game.”