Basketball Star Becomes Australia's Most-Capped Rugby Player

A junior basketball player who dreamed of joining the WNBL is about to become the most decorated player in Australian women's rugby history.

Michaela Leonard will earn her 46th Test cap when the Wallaroos face New Zealand's Black Ferns on Saturday night, breaking a record that stood for years. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is that she didn't touch a rugby ball until her early 20s.

"Humbling," Leonard said when asked how it feels to reach this milestone. The 31-year-old lock from Canberra spent her youth chasing basketball dreams before joining the ACT Brumbies in 2018 for the inaugural Super Rugby Women's season.

Just one year later, she earned her first Test cap against Japan. Leonard admits she was still learning the rules of rugby when she made her debut in 2019.

"I think back to when I made my debut, I was still trying to figure out what the laws of the game were," she said. Since then, Leonard has played 45 out of a possible 47 Test matches, a stunning display of durability and dedication.

Her rugby journey hasn't just been about personal achievement. Leonard captained the Wallaroos for 16 Tests and led them to their first-ever trophy, the WXV 2 championship in 2024.

The qualified vet physiotherapist has watched women's rugby explode globally during her career. She's seen stadiums sell out for women's Tests and witnessed massive growth in fan engagement, particularly during last year's World Cup in England and this year's Six Nations.

Why This Inspires

Leonard's story proves it's never too late to discover your true calling. She went from learning the laws of rugby to becoming the sport's most experienced Australian player in just seven years.

Her focus remains firmly on the future rather than her personal records. Leonard wants to use her platform to grow the game in Australia ahead of the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup, which the country will host.

"My biggest hope through my time in the jersey is to continue to grow the game, share knowledge, and leave the jersey in a better place than where I found it," Leonard said. She credits the pioneering players who came before her, women who gave decades to the sport without the pathways and opportunities that exist today.

Saturday's match marks the first time the Wallaroos and Black Ferns have played on Anzac Day. The Wallaroos are still chasing their first victory over New Zealand since the teams first met in 1994, but with record-breakers like Leonard leading the way, Australian women's rugby has never been stronger.

A basketball player turned rugby legend is proving that the best chapters of your story might be waiting in the most unexpected places.