Western Force back-rower Pia Tapsell could become one of the few women’s international rugby players to switch allegiances as she angles for a Wallaroos debut against her former nation New Zealand this weekend.
Tapsell was born in Melbourne but grew up in New Zealand since she was an eight-year-old. She speaks with a New Zealand accent and played for the Black Ferns across six caps in 2019 and 2020.
But after an injury-cursed period, she shifted her life three years ago, chasing a “fresh start”, when she joined the Force for the 2024 season, where she’s become a regular. She’s also played NRLW during that time in Australia.
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Last week that body of work in rugby was formally recognized when she was called into the Wallaroos squad, with a potential debut looming against the Black Ferns in Auckland on Saturday.
It'd be the first time a player has represented both Trans-Tasman teams, although the Wallabies notably had props Alex Hodgman and Aidan Ross play for the green and gold after switching from the All Blacks.
World Rugby has strict guidelines for athletes who want to change allegiances, insisting they can't compete in international rugby for three years, must have a direct birthright link, and can only make the change once.
"Lots of people come over to Australia, new opportunities, fresh starts, and that was something that I wanted to allow myself to at least try once,” Tapsell said.
"In the past couple of years over in the Force, when everyone found out I was born in Australia, everyone kind of made it a bit of a joke.
"Being approached was definitely not something I was expecting, but obviously being born in Australia it was probably bound to be raised at some point.
"It (Test rugby) was always something that I really wanted to get back to. I probably never thought I'd have that chance again, so when the opportunity came up, it was not really something you can say no to."
Tapsell was nominated for the Black Ferns’ Rookie of the Year after bursting on to the scene in 2019. But she was cruelled by injuries after that, unable to re-claim her national berth, which led to her switch to the west at a burgeoning program led by Dylan Parsons.
"My first priority was getting my physical and mental wellbeing right and enjoying playing rugby again,” she said.
“Playing rugby without any expectations ... that's ultimately what allowed me to play more freely and just enjoy myself.”
Tapsell felt indebted to the Force and the platform the Club’s program has provided her, but also those coming through.
She said the example of the Force was one for all Australian clubs to note, as the Wallaroos seek to challenge rugby’s elite ahead of the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
“The Super W comp has grown a lot in the past five years,” she said.
“Over in the west, we’re lucky that we’re heavily supported. We have a really well-established program that we’re trying to develop to create a high performance environment for young players to come into and current players to get better.
“We talk a lot about raising the standards. The Waratahs have been and still are the current champion, so they’ve set that standard for Australian rugby.
“I think every other province and super rugby club in Australia is trying to reach that, which is only going to make the Wallaroos and Australian rugby better.
“What we’re doing over at the Force is great. We get to train as full-time athletes. It provides us the ability to raise our skill level higher, practice daily and have a ball in hand every single day of the week.
“Most teams and players need to go to work, balance jobs, family, kids, travel, so if we can implement that Australia wide, that’ll only make the Wallaroos standard higher.
“The cross-over from Aupiki showed that gap is getting smaller. We only ever want exciting Test match footy where you don’t know who’s going to win.”
Watch every second of the Wallaroos 100th Test live and on demand via Stan Sport.
