Latest news with #Aussie7s
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie Singapore Sevens slip before world championships
Australia's rugby men suffered all weekend and their female counterparts were handed a lesson by their greatest rivals in Singapore as the disheartened sevens teams were left with much to do before next month's world championships. The men's outfit endured a wretched weekend at the world series league-ending Singapore Sevens, winning just one match of four. Meanwhile, the women, still the second-best team in the world, discovered the gulf between them and their New Zealand conquerors appears only to be getting wider. Despite Maddison Levi's record-breaking weekend, in which she powered past 200 tries faster than any player before her and produced some heroics in the final, the women were again trounced by their great trans-Tasman rivals 31-7 in the Singapore final. Where the stars will shine ✨The teams fighting it out for the World Championship in @LASevensRugby #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSLAX — HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 6, 2025 The men, though, didn't even manage to qualify for the knock-out stages as they suffered three comprehensive defeats - 28-5 to Uruguay, 28-7 to Spain and, in their final match on Sunday, 26-7 to South Africa. Their one win of the weekend was a 28-5 win over France, but it was not enough to camouflage what a deflating weekend it had been for coach Liam Barry's side. "After playing well and achieving a third in Hong Kong (in the previous world series event the previous week) it was extremely disappointing not to be able to repeat similar," said Barry. "We were well below our high standards. We must learn very quickly as we have the season-ending tournament to play in Los Angeles in four weeks' time." That tournament is the world championships in Los Angeles on May 3 and 4 where the top eight teams from the world series league program, which concluded in Singapore, will feature. While Barry's side finished sixth in the men's league behind winners Argentina, the women were a close second behind perennial rivals New Zealand, although Tim Walsh's side were hammered by the Kiwis in both the Hong Kong and Singapore showdowns. "We were totally outplayed in the final," admitted Walsh. "We didn't do ourselves any favours with some cheap errors and failing to apply any real pressure. "What did you just do, Maddi Levi?!" 😱An incredible try-saving tackle by the @Aussie7s player! 🇦🇺#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP — HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 6, 2025 "In finals, it is a game of detail and execution and we didn't deliver." Still, Levi's performance, which featured a try and a remarkable try-saving steal in the final, helped show what's still possible, and Walsh sounded a positive note, saying: "The back-to-back legs have been a real positive and proven the strength of the program and its pathway. "We had (captain) Tia Hinds lead the team in an authentic and composed manner whilst maintaining the team's high standards, and we are all looking forward to the final in Los Angeles." The Los Angeles draw features Australia's women in a pool with France, the hosts and Olympic bronze medallists USA and Fiji, with the top two going through to the semis. The men have a fiendish draw against Singapore victors Fiji, Spain and New Zealand.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
200 tries for rugby record-breaker Levi in Singapore
Fresh from one landmark weekend, Australia's very special rugby talent Maddison Levi has smashed another try-scoring record at the Singapore Sevens. The 22-year-old Queensland flyer, who had become the all-time leading try scorer for Australia in Hong Kong the week earlier, this time became the first Aussie to break the 200-try barrier in sevens on Saturday, helping her side power into the semi-finals. Levi swept over for two tries in the 43-5 win over Japan in the final pool match to reach the milestone, and she's the fastest player ever in sevens history to get to the landmark in just 26 tournaments. Unstoppable 🥶Maddi Levi hits 200 #HSBCSVNS tries 🇦🇺#HSBCSVNSSGP — HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 5, 2025 After passing her distinguished Australian teammate Charlotte Caslick as the all-time Australian leading scorer last week, Levi's heroics now place her behind only New Zealanders Michaela Brake and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Ireland's Amee-Leigh Costigan in the international try-scoring list. "To be able to achieve this milestone is pretty special," said women's world sevens player of the year Levi, who also scored twice in the side's 31-0 opening win against Spain for a total of four scores on the day. "I say it all the time, but to be able to play with this amazing team, they make my job look easy and it's all their hard work that puts me into space." That 200th try feeling 🔥Maddi Levi puts her name firmly in the history books with her 200th try for the @Aussie7s 🇦🇺#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP — HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 5, 2025 That's certainly true of try No.200 which was just the easiest of run-ins down the right channel for Levi after slick build-up work from her teammates. "I love playing rugby and get so much joy out of it but to inspire the next generation and have people look up to me whether it's boys or girls, it's pretty awesome," said Levi. The two wins set up a semi-final with Canada on Sunday for a place in the final later in the day. It marked an auspicious start for captain Tia Hinds, who got the ball rolling by scoring the first try of the day against Spain, with Levi's double and scores from Kiiahla Duff and Ruby Nicholas following. That five-try romp was followed by an even more impressive seven-try demolition of Japan, with Bienne Terita and Mackenzie Davis both joining Levi in scoring doubles, while Nicholas grabbed the other. But in the race for the world series league honours, there was nothing the Aussies could do to stop their great rivals New Zealand sealing the title after winning their two group matches to make the other semi against France. In the men's competition, there was only disappointment for the Australians, who couldn't back up their third-place finish in Hong Kong, and missed out on the semis after losing comprehensively 28-5 to Uruguay and 28-7 to Spain. Matt Gonzalez, against the Uruguayans, and co-captain Henry Paterson, versus the Spanish, were their only two try scorers as they conceded eight in total. Meanwhile, Argentina wrapped up the men's league crown as they eased into the semis.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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 — 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."
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie rugby women win Perth Sevens as men lose final
Australia's rugby women have broken a seven-year tournament drought on home soil as emerging star Heidi Dennis starred in a thrilling 28-26 final win over arch-rivals New Zealand In the final of the Perth Sevens. The women went one better than Australia's injury-hit men's side, who had earlier on Sunday been crushed 41-5 by Argentina in their final at HBF Park. The trans-Tasman rivals both scored four tries in a fabulous women's final, but Australia prevailed on the final day even without women's sevens player of the year Maddison Levi, who suffered a broken finger, and fellow speedster Faith Nathan, who failed a HIA. She's been on fire at #HSBCSVNSPER 🙌Who else but @CharlieCaslick to put @Aussie7s into the lead 💪#HSBCSVNS — HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2025 But the 19-year-old Dennis stepped up big-time, scoring two tries and earning player of the final honours. Australia had also beaten Canada 24-17 In the semi-finals, while New Zealand defeated France 36-7. The Perth victory moves Australia to within two points of series leaders New Zealand. The final started in dramatic fashion with New Zealand ace Michaela Brake, who scored four tries in the semi-final, fending off two attempted tackles to touch down after 30 seconds. Dennis sprinted away for her first and the hosts hit the front with Tia Hinds dummying her way through the defence from halfway New Zealand retaliated, with Kelsey Teneti crossing as the scores were locked 14-14 at halftime. Within 90 seconds of the restart, Australian great Charlotte Caslick sprinted 80 metres after stepping and dummying her way through the defence. Brake added another long distance try but Teagan Levi broke through the defence to set up Dennis for her second try. Risi Pouri-Lane crossed for New Zealand with just over a minute left, but the first missed conversion of the night meant Australia held on to record a memorable two-point win. France beat Canada 14-7 in the bronze medal match. Australia's men also had injury woes, losing Henry Hutchinson, Hayden Sargeant and James Turner after their dramatic 17-12 semi-final extra-time win over Canada. As was the case last year Argentina. dominated from the start to score seven tries to one with highly touted youngster Hadley Tonga scoring a super solo effort for the hosts. Australia moved up to sixth on the ladder after their best finish of the season. Argentina moved joint top on points Fiji and Spain, with the Spaniards securing a third straight bronze medal with a 14-7 win over South Africa. Australia's rugby men have once again been crushed by defending world series champions Argentina in the final of the Perth Sevens at HBF Park. Argentina, who beat Australian 31-5 last year, triumphed 41-5 in the 2025 iteration against an injury-hit green-and-gold outfit on Sunday. Australia lost Henry Hutchinson, Hayden Sergeant and James Turner after their dramatic 17-12 semi-final extra-time win over Canada.
