Wallaroos gear up for historic 100th test, celebrating a family legacy

Australia's Wallaroos will contest their 100th test match against the New Zealand Black Ferns in Auckland, a milestone that caps a three-decade evolution since the first Test at North Sydney Oval in 1994. Captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona stresses the responsibility to respect the trailblazers and to showcase the team's growth on the field. Veteran Libby Andrew, a member of the original squad, likens the camaraderie among current and former players to a family bond and welcomes the move toward full-time contracts.

Rugby Australia plans to integrate the Wallaroos with the women's sevens program, appointing Tim Walsh as director of women's high-performance and naming Sione Fukofuka as the incoming head coach. While the side has historically struggled against New Zealand, officials view the upcoming World Cup at home in 2029 as an opportunity to unlock the "sleeping giant" of Australian women's rugby. The game will be broadcast live, with supporters in Canberra and across the nation watching the historic occasion.