19-year-old Amahli Hala was riding on cloud nine after a spectacular debut for the Australian Sevens in Hong Kong.
Hala was the latest debutant blooded by coach Tim Walsh in 2025 as the Bond Uni product helped the squad take second at the home of the World Series.
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The Queanbeyan-born Queenslander was the breakout star of the Next Gen Sevens last year and was eager to add to her experiences heading into this week's event in Singapore.
“It's definitely been one of the most monumental experiences in my life as well as my career," Hala told Rugby.com.au
“I started playing rugby when I was 11 or maybe 12, so it's been a long journey since then. It felt surreal, and now I realise all the training and all the long days and stuff were actually worth it.
“Words can't even explain how I felt, but as soon as I stepped off, I was like ‘I want to do it again, I want to do it again.’”
Walsh threw Hala straight into the deep end, starting in the first game against Spain, and the speedstar delivered, scoring off one of her first touches with close to 15 family members in eye-shot cheering her own.
“I probably didn't have much thought,” she reflects. “I just looked up and thought I’d give it a crack and see how we go and if it doesn't work, reset.
“Running for that try and I could see my family in my peripheral vision and I saw them all jump up. So yeah, big smiles from me on the way to that try.”
Hala is soaking up all the information she can from the experienced stars in the team, especially Faith Nathan.
Nathan and Hala roomed together in Hong Kong, something Hala could only dream of when she idolised Nathan when coming through the system.
“She's an awesome person and got close with her, got to learn more about each other, which was really nice and definitely an idol of mine growing up," Hala said of Nathan.
“…Even like the first time I went to training and saw (Nathan and Maddi Levi, amongst others), and I was kind of like ‘oh my gosh, like you're actually real. I've watched you on TV and now I'm passing the ball to you and giving you a high five.'
"It's crazy, but I'm super, super grateful to be given the opportunity to go out and be able to run on the field with them. It's definitely one of the most surreal moments I've had."
Whilst only 19, Hala is already a seasoned traveller after a stint in Japan alongside teammate Kahli Henwood and fellow Queenslander Sophie Duff.
As soon as she finished high school, Hala leapt into a new culture and felt at home, albeit with some cultural customs she had to get used to first.
“It was a little bit scary at first, straight out of school. I don't think I really thought about that but when the opportunity came, I thought, why not? Travelling the world is what I want to do, and why not kick it off in Japan?" she pondered.
"Probably the biggest shock was they have a bath house they call an onsen that pretty much is, you have to go in there naked, like it's a normal thing. Australia is pretty respectful on privacy and everything so that was probably the biggest culture shock.
"Outside of that, I found them quite normal to what I'm used to...I thought I was going to be homesick, but I actually wasn't.
“I would recommend the experience to anyone. It was honestly the best experience for me, especially coming out of school and learning to be independent and just different training schedules to Australia.
“So it definitely opened up my skills and, you know, just broadened a lot of things in terms of rugby.”
The biggest culture shock for Hala heading into the Australia Sevens program has been Wallamina duties.
It's a duty designated to the youngest players on the men's and women's teams. They must carry the mascot at all times and when they run onto the field each game.
Senior players are tasked with trying to steal Wallamina, with Hala learning to always keep her focus.
“It's a bit of a tough one having to carry her around, but I learned to put her on a lanyard so I can actually have her attached to me the whole time," Hala admits.
“The girls have been really nice. Some of them are like ‘have you got Wallamina?’ so I have to like run back and get her.
"There has been a couple of times where they've taken it and I haven't noticed for a little bit so you definitely have to be on guard at all times and remember to take her everywhere with you.”
Hala is always a standout on the field thanks to her pink headgear. It's a touching nod to her grandma so she can easily spot Hala on the field.
It continues the tradition and legacy of the #2 jersey set by legend Sharni Smale (née Williams).
“I think every single time I put on the pink headgear, it's always (my grandma) that comes to my thought as well as the rest of my family…I think the pink headgear is definitely, it's quite bright and attracts a lot of attention…but my family have pretty much told me I can't take it off now," she added.
“It's a part of my game now just to wear the pink headgear...nan sent me a video of her just sitting on the couch with a tea and just like on her toes watching me play and she sent me a big paragraph saying how proud she is of me.
