Try machine Levi back to set Aussie record in Hong Kong
Maddison Levi has become the most prolific try scorer ever in Australian rugby when she blasted past her idol Charlotte Caslick's sevens tally at the Hong Kong Sevens.
At just 22 years of age, the phenomenal Gold Coast athlete set the new landmark on Friday as she racked up another seven tries in just two matches at the biggest tournament on the Sevens World Series circuit.
While scoring a hat-trick in the opening 54-12 win over Spain and then going over for four more in the 26-15 victory against Canada, try machine Levi took her tally to 189 over just four spectacular years to eclipse her heroine and teammate Caslick's mark of 186.
Maddi Levi knows how to make a comeback 🇦🇺🔥@Aussie7s #HSBCSVNSHKG | #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/tj6W7WdBy5
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 28, 2025
"Charlotte has been my idol and she's been my mentor throughout all the years," said Levi, saluting her 30-year-old teammate Caslick, who's currently pursuing her ambitions in the 15-a-side game, hoping to play with Wallaroos at the World Cup later this year.
"For her to be able to help me get to the level I'm able to play at is pretty awesome, but records don't really matter to me."
In a youthful side, Levi, who's been out of action since fracturing her thumb in the Perth Sevens in January, simply carried on where she left off as the World Series top scorer at Hong Kong's new Kai Tak Stadium venue took her tally to 37 for the season.
Caslick's absence also gave a chance to Queenslander Amahli Hala to make a terrific debut, scoring against Spain while Ruby Nicholas, Isabella Nasser, Faith Nathan and Piper Simons also added to Levi's hat-trick.
Australia then sealed their quarter-final spot with Levi's tour de force against the Canadians.
Meanwhile, Australia's men had a mixed day, going down to New Zealand 21-12 in their opener before producing a far better performance to end the first day with a 26-7 victory over South Africa's 'Blitzboks'.
Against the New Zealanders, Liam Barry's team were 21-0 down before they rallied with tries from Aden Ekanayake and Jayden Blake.
But co-captain Henry Paterson proved the star in their next, must-win contest, crossing for two tries to help put them into an unassailable 26-point lead, while Matt Gonzalez and Josh Turner also scored.
"We were pretty disappointed with that first effort today against New Zealand but we weren't far off," said Paterson, whose side will need to beat Uruguay in their final pool match to seal a last-eight spot.
"To come out and fix them against South Africa and set up the rest of the weekend is really encouraging."
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