women
international women
Amelia Whitaker was awarded the man of the match award after starring for the Wallaroos in a clinical 56-12 win Scotland in Sydney. Now four tests Wallaroo scored two tries and ran for more than 135 meters while playing alongside some history makers in the last three.
Whitaker was named the NSW Waratahs Player of the Year after helping the reigning champions win another Super Rugby Women’s crown. Greater honors followed, with the 20-year-old making his Wallaroos debut against the defence. Rugby World Cup champions England last month.
The Wallaroos also faced off France and Scotland during that tour, before returning home to face familiar opposition at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Maya Stewart returned from injury in time for the Test, which was the first of the first such four in the Harbor City.
Waratahs fliers Stewart and Desiree Miller are the two top scorers in Wallaroos history, and both have been named in the First XV to take on the Scots. But the inclusion of Whitaker on one wing saw Miller start the Test at full-back for the first time.
“I looked up to them going through the ranks,” Whitaker said RugbyPass after the game, when asked about Stewart and Miller.
“So being on the field at the same time was really great.”
Whitaker, Stewart and Miller were among a dozen Waratahs players named in Game 23 as the Wallaroos chased back-to-back wins. Tahs teammate Brittany Merlo was the first Wallaroo to cross the try line, before three backs all made their mark.
Stewart crossed the try line midway through the half, before Miller got on the scoresheet just nine minutes later. But then, as half-time approached, Whitaker gave the Sydney crowd plenty to cheer about with a moment of individual brilliance.
Whitaker beat the Scotland defender with a quick change of pace, before smiling all the way to the try line. Another Tahs team-mate, fly-half Waiaria Ellis, kicked for another five points just before the break as the Wallaroos went into the box for 30.
“Knowing the players and the style, I know what they’re going to do with the ball,” Whitaker said.
“Everyone is so supportive, so it’s really great to be there with them.”
Whitaker had not scored a Test try before Saturday, but the winger capped off a man-of-the-match performance with a brace. Incredibly, the 2024 Global Youth Sevens representative had never intercepted before, except in training.
But when the opportunity presented itself for the Scottish pass, Whitaker confidently collected the ball before sprinting home. That effort gave the Wallaroos a 47-12 lead with about 15 minutes remaining.
“I didn’t really expect the first and second, I’ve never caught an interception before,” she reflected.
“I was really excited. I probably know the next time I’m going to laugh after you putt the ball, but I was so excited I couldn’t stop laughing.”
