Wallaroos flyhalf Nicole Ledington spent the end of 2025 focusing on completing her degree in primary education. Now, the Western Force product is ready for one of Rugby's ultimate lessons in Canada.
Ledington and the Wallaroos have settled into Sacramento ahead of Sunday's (AEST) Pacific Four opener against the World Cup finalists.
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The 22-year-old is riding the highs of a dream debut against Fijiana last month, scoring a try and saving another in their 33-15 win at GIO Stadium.
“It was a surreal debut," she told reporters.
“When you go out there, I want to just do my job for the team, so for it to turn out that way and get the win with the girls was awesome.
“It’ll be awesome to build on that and take that confidence into Canada.”
The debut continued her sharp rise after a disappointing Super Rugby W season with the Force, finding her limited for minutes as she shared the playmaking roles with Grace Freeman.
This saw her focus on her life post-Rugby, before a call-up to the Wallaroos end-of-year camp earned her one of the last remaining contracts.
“Super was a little hard for me, being in and out of the line-up, and then I graduated Uni, so Rugby took a bit of a back burner as I finished my degree," she explained.
“I got the call-up just after I finished that, so it was good timing…it’s been a rollercoaster ride, and I got that invite in November/December with no expectations, just wanting to go and do the best I could and I was then lucky enough after that camp to be offered a contract.
"To be standing here in the States with a cap under my belt, I wouldn’t have thought that even a year ago today.”
Ledington has relied upon club teammate Samantha Wood to help guide her through the process and the step up to Test Rugby.
It wasn't so long ago that the duo were tearing it up for Kalamundra, with the flyhalf reflecting on their journey together.
“She’s been an awesome help for me. We’ve played club together for quite a few years and known each other for ages so we’ve really built on that combination," Ledington believes.
“She’s always there with an answer for everything so it’s awesome to connect with her and get her side of things.
“It’s pretty surreal looking back at where we were a couple of years ago and her way through into the Aussie team…that moment debuting beside her is one I won’t forget.”
The Kiwi-born playmaker knows the step up from Fijiana to Canada will be significant, with Ledington keeping the focus internal.
“They are a good side, and you can't take credit away from that, but I think our focus this week has been on us and what we can take from that Fiji test and then what we can build for that Canada Test," she added.
"I think at this stage, we're focusing more on ourselves and what can we do to beat them?
