Maddison Levi is widely considered the most exciting rugby player in the country. But this weekend the Gold Coast 24-year-old is a “vulnerable” rookie as she faces up to the biggest challenge of her career: finally making her hotly-anticipated debut in the 15-a-side game for Australia in a historic Test against New Zealand on Saturday. 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.” Levi will debut off the bench in the Wallaroos’ 100th Test as a women’s rugby nation in Auckland.
The first of those internationals, in September 1994 at North Sydney Oval, was also against this weekend’s opposition, the Black Ferns, and resulted in a 37-0 loss. In the 30 Tests and 32 years since, Australia have never won. If the Wallaroos ever needed a talisman to change their fortunes, it’s Maddison Levi.
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.” That confidence is evident in Levi’s explosive running. But it also comes from within.
Despite being 2024 World Sevens player of the year and Australia’s reigning record tryscorer in the format, the 24-year-old has worked hard to better herself off the field. But now I know that the harder I work the ‘luckier’ I’ll get. So I’ve worked really hard on visualising what I want to achieve.
And that’s allowed me to enjoy the errors and the vulnerability I’ve felt this week because I know they’re stepping stones to getting it right in the future.” Modesty aside, when Levi runs onto the Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday, New Zealand will be on red alert. In June, she heroically defied a grade-two medial ligament injury to her knee to score twice in the final against the Kiwis in Bordeaux, helping Australia clinch the title of sevens world champions. It showed her teammates the Black Ferns can be beaten.
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.” Levi is the brightest of the sevens stars to switch to 15s 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. She joins fellow short-format converts Tia Hinds, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea and Bienne Terita in Saturday’s Test squad. Levi attempted to make this leap ahead of 2025 World Cup but withdrew at the 11th hour.
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