Maddison Levi to make Wallaroos debut off the bench in 100th Test against New Zealand in Auckland
Maddison Levi, the 24-year-old Gold Coast sevens star, will make her first 15-a-side Test appearance for Australia off the bench in the Wallaroos’ 100th Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday. The code-hopping winger has described herself as feeling “vulnerable” ahead of the match while expressing excitement at representing Australia in both formats.
Levi is widely regarded as one of the country’s most dynamic players and is the reigning 2024 World Sevens player of the year and Australia’s record tryscorer in sevens. “I’m really excited,” Levi says. “Representing Australia in two codes is a pretty special achievement and this is a new environment and a massive challenge. I know I’ll probably make mistakes out there and I’m feeling pretty vulnerable but I’ve always set myself high standards and this is about me becoming a better player.” She added perspective on the differences between formats: “But there are no expectations on me here,” she says. “I’m still in the development phase with a lot to learn. In 15s there’s more bodies on the field and a lot less space to move. But I’m a confidence player and I’ll find a way to adapt in the big moments.”
The fixture carries historical weight for the Wallaroos: their first international, in September 1994 at North Sydney Oval, was also against the Black Ferns and ended in a 37-0 loss, and “in the 30 Tests and 32 years since, Australia have never won.” Levi’s cap will come in the team’s centenary Test in Auckland, with her role confirmed as a bench player for the match.
Levi arrives in 15s off the back of a demanding sevens season; in June she played through a grade-two medial ligament knee injury to score twice in the World Sevens final against New Zealand in Bordeaux, helping Australia clinch the title of sevens world champions. The performance, the article notes, showed her teammates the Black Ferns can be beaten.
On her pathway into 15s, Levi said the decision to step across this year followed close reflection and coaching support. “Ultimately it was my decision to tell the coaches if I thought I was ready,” she says. “Yes, I’m still raw and need to be in 15s longer to get a true handle on the game. And yes, I’d have liked more games under my belt before debuting but I back myself and all the girls and the coaches have been great in getting around me to teach me.” She previously withdrew from a move ahead of the 2025 World Cup at the 11th hour and said: “It was the right call and I have no regrets. The World Cup is a big deal and I didn’t want to come in cold and take the position of someone who’d been working hard in that environment for a long time. I want to earn my spot, same as everyone else.”
Tim Walsh has been a central figure in her transition to 15s. “Walshy has helped shape my career and he was the one who put me up to this. Deep down I didn’t think I’d transition as quickly as this. I kind of thought I’d be running around the field like a headless chicken. His push was essential. He believes in me.” Levi is part of a group of sevens converts named in the Test squad alongside Tia Hinds, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea and Bienne Terita as Rugby Australia aligns its formats ahead of a home Women’s World Cup tilt in the 15s format in 2029 and a Brisbane Olympics sevens campaign in 2032.
Levi’s family situation and personal support structure were also detailed: her sister Teagan, with whom she shared years on the sevens circuit, is on an NRLW sabbatical with the Gold Coast Titans, and both sisters are signed to remain in rugby until 2029. On that relationship, Levi said: “I love doing everything with Teagan, but it’s been awesome to watch her grasp her chance in the NRLW. It’ll be a little bittersweet not to be lining up alongside her this weekend but that chance will come, I’m sure. She’ll still be kicking my head after the game, saying ‘why didn’t you do this, why’d you do that?’” laughs Levi. “But she’ll also give me the softer side, picking me up if I’m down. It’s good to have a sister like her. We know when to critique and comfort each other. She’s a source of truth and inspiration for me. I try to be the same for her.”
Levi’s immediate next step is to take the field as a replacement for the Wallaroos in their 100th Test at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, where she will make her long-awaited 15s debut.