Amelia Whitaker was awarded Player of the Match honours after starring for the Wallaroos in a clinical 56-12 win over Scotland in Sydney. The now four-Test Wallaroo scored two tries and ran for more than 135 metres, while playing alongside some history-makers in the back three.

Whitaker was named the NSW Waratahs Player of the Year after helping the reigning champions take out yet another Super Rugby Women’s crown. Higher honours followed, with the 20-year-old debuting for the Wallaroos against defending Rugby World Cup champions England last month.

The Wallaroos also faced France and Scotland during that tour, before returning home to face a familiar opponent at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Maya Stewart returned from injury in time for the Test, which was first in a first-of-its-kind quadruple-header in the Harbour City.

Waratahs flyers Stewart and Desiree Miller are the top two try-scorers in Wallaroos history, and they were both named in the First XV to take on the Scots. But the inclusion of Whitaker on one wing saw Miller start a Test at fullback for the first time.

“I’ve kind of looked up to them coming through the ranks,” Whitaker told RugbyPass post-game, when asked about Stewart and Miller.

“So to be on the field all at the same time was really awesome.”

Whitaker, Stewart and Miller were among the dozen Waratahs players named in the matchday 23, as the Wallaroos chased back-to-back wins. Tahs teammate Brittany Merlo was the first Wallaroo to cross the try line, before the back three all made their mark.

Stewart crossed the try line at the midway point of the half, before Miller got on the scoresheet just nine minutes later. But then, as half-time neared, Whitaker gave the Sydney crowd plenty to cheer about with a moment of individual brilliance.

Whitaker beat a Scottish defender with a quick change of pace, before smiling all the way to the try line. Another Tahs teammate, fly-half Waiaria Ellis, touched down for another five points just before the break as the Wallaroos went into the sheds up by 30.

“Familiar players and style, I know what they’re going to do with the ball,” Whitaker said.

“They’re all so supportive so it’s just really awesome being out there with them.”

Whitaker hadn’t scored a Test try before Saturday, but the winger finished the Player of the Match performance with a double. Incredibly, the 2024 Global Youth Sevens representative had never taken an intercept before, other than training sessions.

But when the opportunity to pick off a Scottish pass presented itself, Whitaker claimed the ball confidently before racing away to the house. That effort put the Wallaroos up 47-12 with about 15 minutes left.

“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. Probably know for next time to smile after you put the ball own but I was just so excited, I couldn’t stop smiling.”