First Nations
The Wallabies have been proudly represented by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the history of the sport, leaving a lasting legacy for many young First Nations kids to aspire to.
Here is a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders players in order of debut.
Cecil Ramalli was Australia’s first Indigenous and Asian Wallaby who, in rather extraordinary circumstances, survived the atom bomb dropped on Nagasaki. He was born in the Queensland-NSW border town of Mungindi to an Indian Muslim trader named Ali Ram - who subsequently changed his name to Ramalli - and Adeline Doyle, a local Aboriginal woman. A diminutive, nippy scrum-half described as courageous, gallant and with a touch of genius, Ramalli won two Test caps in 1938. He did not identify as an Aboriginal man until late in life.
A proud Wakka Wakka man from central Queensland. 2 Tests for the Wallabies as a winger, after making his Test debut in 1962. Also holds the honour of being Australia's first Indigenous barrister. Has degrees in Science and Criminology, and has done extensive work in the area of mental health. No one has done more to advance indigenous youth and Indigenous Rugby in Australia.
The Ella Brothers, Mark^, Glen and Garry come from the Yuin nation on the far south coast of NSW. Gary played 6 Tests (centre) Glen played 4 Tests (fullback) Mark played 25 Tests (flyhalf) with 10 of those as Captain. There is hardly a more famous sporting family in Australia. The boys’ sister Marcia was also an Australian representative netballer. Mark Ella is still regarded as the best to have ever played the game. The three brothers dominated the early 80's with Randwick, NSW and Australia.
Born in Sydney and another prodigious talent olut of Matraville High School. Home of the Ellas. Played 8 Tests for the Wallabies, after making his debut in 1988. Known as the "the big fellow" he was a powerful inside centre with extraordinary ball skills. Played 26 matches for NSW and an incredible 10 Grand Finals with Randwick.
Born in Young, New South Wales. Descendents of his Burrowmunditory clan still live in the region. A strong running backrower who played 14 Tests, after making his debut in 1999. Earned 41 Super Rugby caps, playing all but one with the Brumbies where he won the 2001 Super Rugby title. Later became an Assistant Coach with the Wallabies.
Born in Bomaderry near Nowra, NSW and is part of the Wiradjuri nation. Freakish talent who played 7 Tests for the Wallabies, after making his debut in 2000. Played 47 Super Rugby matches with Brumbies and Reds, wining a Super Rugby title with the Brumbies in 2001. A natural footballer, he also played first grade Rugby League for the Roosters and Dragons.
Indigenous Australian Torres Strait Islander. Born and Grew up with adopted parents in Sarina, Queensland. Dual international winger who played 37 Tests for the Wallabies after switching from the Broncos. Played 16 Rugby League Tests for Australia and played for Queensland in both codes, plus had one Super Rugby season with the Waratahs.
Another successful Rugby League convert - born in Melbourne of a New Zealand Māori father and an Australian Aboriginal mother. Grew up in St. Kilda, Victoria and then Bourke, NSW. His mother hails from Wilcannia and so he's a Barkindji man. Try-scoring centre who played 4 Tests after debuting in 2008, as well as 20 Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs.
Born in Blacktown. Identifies as a Darug man, with his mother hailing from the Kamilaroi tribe. He is the only current First Nations player in the Wallabies squad. He is a Super Rugby centurion with the Waratahs and enjoyed a brief stint with the Melbourne Rebels. Touted from a very early age as a future star, he has lived up to early comparisons with the Ella brothers. One of the most versatile backs in world Rugby, who can cover a range of positions.
The Faingaa twins, Sia'a and Anthony of Tongan and Aboriginal descent were born in Queanbeyan, New South Wales and schooled at St Edmunds College. Saia debuted one month before his brother Anthony in 2010. Saia owns 36 Test caps, while Anthony amassed 23 Tests for the Wallabies. Saia played in 128 Super Rugby matches including 99 with the Reds. Anthony racked up 93 caps with Reds and Brumbies. Equally known for their off-field endeavours and support of various charities as they are for their on-field achievements.
The high workrate backrower was born in Sydney, and started his Rugby in Avoca on the Central Coast. Matt played 11 Tests for the Wallabies, after making his debut in 2010, and captained the side on one occasion against the Barbarians in 2014. All 140 of his Super Rugby matches were for the Force where he captained the side for several seasons and won numerous player of the year awards. Matt retired at the end of the 2017 season.
Dylan Pietsch, a very proud Wiradjuri man, is used to making history after becoming just the second player, after Samu Kerevi, to both represent the Australian Men’s 7s team at an Olympic Games and play Test rugby. Pietsch was picked for the opening Test of 2024 against Wales
*Still actively playing and most capped.
^Still actively playing
^Wallaby Captain
From the small suburb of Doonside in Sydney's west, Mahalia started her Wallaroos playing career at the Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland. The dynamic back has represented Australia in Rugby XVs, Rugby 7s and Rugby League. Mahalia plays for the Waratahs in Buildcorp Super W.
Lori's ancestry is the Yiman people from Taroom in Central Queensland. She debut for the Wallaroos in 2019 against Japan in Newcastle, NSW. Lori has represented both the Reds and the Waratahs in Buildcorp Super W.
Madison debuted for the Wallaroos in 2022, coming off the bench against the Fijiana at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Madison is the first ever Wallaroos representative from the Bond Bull Sharks and plays front row for the Reds in Buildcorp Super W.
A Wiradjuri woman, Grace grew up in the small regional community of Harden in Southwest NSW and started playing the game at the age of 16 when her club started a women’s side. She was identified by the Lloyd McDermott Foundation where was able to explore her First Nations culture and gain the personal growth needed to reach the heights of the Brumbies and the Wallaroos. Grace made her debut for the Wallaroos, coming off the bench against Canada in the Pacific Four Series 2022, hosted in New Zealand.
*Still actively playing.
The list incorporates the following World Rugby-sanctioned global tournaments and events: Sevens World Series, RWC Sevens, Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games
Events not included in this are Hong Kong Sevens invitational tournaments prior to 1999 (apart from RWC Sevens 1997) and Oceania Rugby Sevens tournaments. When two or more players have made their debut in the same tournament, the players will be listed in alphabetical order.Using this criteria, below are the list of players.
* Australian Sevens Coach