Whitaker scores twice on debut wing as Wallaroos demolish Scotland 56-12 in Sydney

Amelia Whitaker announced herself on the Test stage with a dazzling two-try, 135-metre performance as the Wallaroos dismantled Scotland 56-12 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, earning the 20-year-old the Player of the Match award in just her fourth international appearance.

Whitaker, named NSW Waratahs Player of the Year after helping the club to another Super Rugby Women’s title, made her Wallaroos debut only last month against defending Rugby World Cup champions England. Saturday’s match was the first of a first-of-its-kind quadruple-header in Sydney, and the winger made it one to remember.

She shared the back three with Waratahs teammates Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller — the top two try-scorers in Wallaroos history — with Miller starting at fullback for the first time to accommodate Whitaker on the wing. All three crossed the try line in a dominant first half that sent Australia into the break leading 30 points to nil.

“I’ve kind of looked up to them coming through the ranks,” Whitaker said of Stewart and Miller after the game. “So to be on the field all at the same time was really awesome.”

Whitaker’s first try came from a sharp change of pace that left a Scottish defender grasping at air, the winger smiling as she strolled over the line. Her second was even more striking — a confident intercept that she admitted she had never pulled off before, not even in training.

“I wasn’t really expecting the first one and the second one — I’ve never caught an intercept before,” she reflected. “I was just really excited.”

That intercept extended Australia’s lead to 47-12 with roughly 15 minutes remaining, effectively ending any lingering Scottish hopes. Brittany Merlo had opened the scoring for the Wallaroos, before Stewart and Miller added tries of their own in the first half. Fly-half Waiaria Ellis also touched down just before the break.

With a dozen Waratahs players named in the matchday 23, Whitaker credited the familiarity of her club environment for helping her settle quickly into Test rugby.

“Familiar players and style — I know what they’re going to do with the ball,” she said. “They’re all so supportive, so it’s just really awesome being out there with them.”

Stewart returned from injury in time to feature, adding another layer of significance to a performance that underlined the depth and cohesion Australia are building ahead of the next Rugby World Cup cycle.