The Singapore Sevens was a weird tournament for the Aussie teams but at the same time delivered as expected with both New Zealand teams winning.
The Australian men came fourth, the women second – both good results but it didn’t feel all that good.
Maybe the enjoyment of the results was overshadowed by the injuries.
To add to the weirdness some of the other teams’ results were just odd.
For example, the USA women’s team usually more than a pretty good team lost twice to South Africa and lost to Japan.
The USA did not win a Pool match. Singapore was their worst tournament all season.
But they still finished fourth on the overall standings. Japan although outperforming Great Britain in five of the seven tournaments finished overall ninth so will have to head to Madrid as a bottom four team to try and requalify for next seasons 2025 SVNS Series.
On the men’s side, even more weird. No idea where to start.
Australia beat Argentina pretty well, then Argentina beat New Zealand pretty handily.
Great Britain and USA defeated Fiji. But Fiji and USA defeated Ireland and yet Ireland finished Singapore as runners up to New Zealand.
With Great Britain defeating Australia in the Bronze medal game they pushed USA out of the top eight in the standings.
USA now have to requalify for next season’s SVNS Series, did not see that coming. They join Samoa, Canada and Spain in a play off against the top four from the Challenger series to requalify.
Back to the Aussie teams.
The Aussie men’s biggest issue is getting a tad more consistency. In seven tournaments they got two seconds, two fourths, two sevenths and a tenth.
But credit where credit is due they finish the season in fourth on the standings above Fiji, France and South Africa. A mighty effort. They will feel pretty good heading into the grand finale in Madrid at the end of the month.
The tournament for the men, things started well with wins over Argentina and Canada and a loss to NZ, a cracking win over South Africa in the Quarter Finals. It was an anxiety riddled match that went into golden point, extra time.
By the time the semis came around they looked tired, they were down on troops. Henry Paterson did something to his back and was out after the second game.
Teddy Willson had looked good for a first up run in sevens. But a head knock resulting in concussion and he was out for the remainder of the tournament.
Throw in James Turner racing home as his better half had gone into labour.
So for the quarter final, semi final and bronze medal play off they were down three players.
The consequence, the remaining players played a lot more minutes than probably planned.
By the time the Aussie men got to the bronze medal play off against Great Britain, they just looked tired, a lot of unusual kicking, things didn’t work out.
At the same time Great Britain had a lot to play for, beat Australia and they qualified for next season’s SVNS Series
A real stand out for the Aussie men this tournament was Hayden Sargent. He is one of seven players who has been in the team for every tournament.
Not sure why but arguably he had by far his best tournament. Maybe without Maurice Longbottom and Matt Gonzalez, out injured, he was able to fully show his skills.
So for the men a fourth in the tournament and fourth in the standings is a very good result. Fingers crossed Henry Paterson’s back injury will be healed for Madrid and the Olympics. He was just hitting form.
First things first, until her injury in the final Madison Ashby played brilliantly and led the team brilliantly.
If ever a player has stepped up as captain, she did. Cliche she is a captain in waiting.
The Aussie women’s team is full of stars but she was amazing. She has long been a star of the team but in this tournament her defence, her decision making, her running and play making were on a new level.
Her injury looked bad and is shattering for her and the team.
As far as the women’s tournament, they started reasonably well. The Brazil game was comfortable but a clunky win.
It was understandable as it was the first game without Charlotte Caslick running the show. The highlight was Ashby’s fingertip tackle and drag down, check it out, the definition of desperation.
The women were then humming for the remaining Pool matches over Fiji and Great Britain.
In the Pool games and Quarter Final, Sariah Paki played an important hard hitting aggressive role which was needed.
Unfortunately, she received an injury and was not available for the Semi Final or Final, that was a big out.
Lily Dick who started in the second Pool game and adds a physical presence seemed to have picked up an injury and did not play again in the tournament.
Like the men the women were down on troops.
The semifinal was the usual hard-fought battle that occurs every time the Australian women play against France. There is a bit of feistiness in the French matches.
Even Maddi Levi has said previously there is a bit of something when they play the French. Sounds like they are not too friendly.
As for the final against the Kiwis it was a cracking first half but once Ashby went down injured, it was all over. Being a player down, the Kiwis soon scored.
With Ashby off the Aussie women lost their direction and leadership. To be fair the Kiwis played very well and experienced a couple of significant injuries during the tournament as well to Tyla King and Shiray Kaka.
Not surprisingly even with injuries the Kiwis just have a bit more depth and experience.
So Singapore was weird. The women finished second at the tournament, finished second overall in the standings, but got a couple of injuries. Then on the flip side the new players played well, got some quality experience.
Also, a shout out to Bella Nasser who has really stepped up and very much a highly valuable member of the team.
Next up the grand finale in Madrid at the end of May, then the Olympics.
Like the men, fingers crossed a few players recover from their injuries.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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