Australian Sevens player Sariah Paki is excited by the prospect of her first foray in the fifteen-a-side game after being linked with the NSW Waratahs Women’s team for 2025.
She is one of nine Australian Sevens players to be linked with Super Rugby Women's teams in a bid for selection into the Wallaroos for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Along with Paki, the other players are Maddison and Tegan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, and Kahli Henwood who are all bound for the Queensland Reds; and Demi Hayes, Tia Hinds and Bienne Terita who have committed to the ACT Brumbies.
They will join pre-season training at their respective clubs next week and hope to target a gap in next year's SVNS schedule to play in the Super Rugby Women's competition.
It is hoped the four-week gap between the World Rugby SVNS in Hong Kong and Vancouver will allow them to play at least two Super Rugby Women's rounds in March.
Paki, 23, grew up in Sydney’s northern beaches playing touch football for Manly Warringah where her mother coached the team from under twelves to under eighteens.
She made her World Series debut in Sevens in 2019 at Dubai as the youngest player to ever compete for Australia internationally. She made her Olympic debut at Tokyo in 2021 and helped Australia win a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Paki said all the Australian Sevens players linked with Super Rugby Women’s teams are excited by the challenge that awaits. “My teammates just like trying out something new, and like entering the unknown and are very excited for this new journey,” she said.
“I haven't played fifteens before, so [I am] very nervous at the same time, but I know I have a lot of support around me … especially going with these girls. I'll be very excited.”
Asked how much the 2025 World Cup was a lure for her to pursue the opportunity to push for Wallaroos selection through the NSW Waratahs, Paki Said: “As a player, you want to achieve as much as you can, and to try and make a World Cup.
"That would be amazing for fifteens as well, as I've won at Sevens World Cup, so that's very exciting.”
NSW Waratahs Women Head Coach Mike Ruthven has welcomed Paki’s availability. “We are excited to have someone of that calibre be available,” he said.
“She's a great athlete, a proven winner in the Sevens space with a great skill set. “She plays aggressively, and I think with that and her skill set, she'll transition well into the fifteens space.”
Asked what positioned he felt Paki would play, Ruthven said: “We've had some conversation with the Wallaroos, and feel midfield is probably going to best suit Soriah.”
As for what Paki’s biggest challenge would be by playing fifteens rugby, Ruthven said: “Obviously, there's going to be some challenges just around system and structure.
“Our job and responsibilities are to put a framework around Sariah to make sure we get the best out of her. But again, she's a great athlete and footballer. She'll transition well.”
