Nicknamed Baba, pint-sized winger Waiaria Ellis has a giant challenge in her Wallaroos debut as she lines up against women's rugby world champions New Zealand.
Aged 17, the former gymnast is set to become the second youngest Test debutante in Wallaroos history as the Australian team continues their World Cup build-up with a sold-out Test against the Black Ferns in Wellington on Saturday.
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Ellis has been included on the wing as the Wallaroos look to snap a 28-game winning streak by the hosts, with Australia losing their most recent encounter 38-12.
At 17 years and 305 days, Ellis falls short of the previous record set last year by Wallaroos teammate Caitlyn Halse (17 years and 242 days), and joins 18-year-old Ruby Anderson in a trio of teens to have debuted in the last 12 months under coach Jo Yapp.
A former junior Australian representative gymnast who stands 160cm and weighs 60kg, Ellis started her 15-a-side rugby journey with the Blacktown Scorpions in 2022 and has impressed Yapp with her skill-set and maturity.
"She's mature beyond her years both on and off the field and she's a really exciting young player with a great skill set, so she's very deserving of this opportunity," Yapp said of the NSW Waratahs youngster.
"With a gymnast background, Bubba is extremely strong and she might look small, but when you see what she lifts in the gym and you see how she fronts up physically in training, you know, she doesn't play small."
Ellis isn't daunted about squaring up against the likes of New Zealand veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe or league convert Katelyn Vahaakolo.
"They're a very strong side, so I'm actually very excited just to see how we go up against them," Ellis said.
"For my debut it's probably one of the best games to be playing in just because ofthe contest between Australia and New Zealand, the rivalry.
"Jo's talked to me, like she said she has a lot of confidence in me and just to go out there back myself and I've been learning heaps off the girls and I know that they've got my back too."
Lock Annabelle Codey will play her first Test match in 631 days - coincidently at the same venue she played her last - after being included on the bench while backrower Piper Duck is in line for her first Test since July last year.
Halfback Samantha Wood (back) and prop Lydia Kavoa (calf) are also on the bench after returning from injury through the Australia A side.
Former sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start at outside centre with Georgina Friedrichs (personal reasons) unavailable, while Tia Hinds will start at flyhalf with Faitala Moleka switching to fullback.
Faliki Pohiva and Tania Naden are back in the starting front row.
Following the New Zealand Test, the Wallaroos host Wales on July 26 in Brisbane and August 1 at North Sydney Oval.
A squad of 32 will then be selected for the World Cup, departing for the United Kingdom on August 11, with their first match against Samoa on August 23 in Manchester.
