Australia’s all-conquering women’s rugby sevens team have won the World Cup in Cape Town, after defeating arch rivals New Zealand in an enthralling and nerve-racking final.
The team which has dominated the sevens circuit all year completed a unique ‘triple crown’ of international triumphs with their 24-22 victory on Sunday (Monday morning AEST), adding the World Cup to their Commonwealth Games and world series titles.
But the Australian men’s team missed out on the medals, finishing fourth after losing their championship bronze final 19-14 to Ireland, having earlier been beaten 38-14 by six-try Fiji, who went on to win the title with a 29-12 win over New Zealand.
It’s the first time since the inaugural women’s World Cup in 2009 that the Australians have won the biggest non-Olympic sevens prize – and they had to overcome a thunderous late comeback from the reigning champs to prevail.
But they only sealed their hard-earned win when New Zealander Tenika Willison missed a straightforward, post-hooter conversion attempt, which would have levelled the scores at 24 apiece.
Her error saw the Australians celebrating wildly at the Cape Town Stadium, with their outstanding co-captain Charlotte Caslick declaring: “What we’ve achieved this year has been pretty awesome.
“We spoke about the ’09 girls today and doing it for them. Hopefully, in three or four cycles, girls will be talking about us and what we achieved this year. The legacy of this Australian women’s sevens is pretty f****** awesome!”
Her fellow co-captain Demi Hayes enthused: “Hopefully, we’ve done Australia proud. It’s never been done before so to take that World Cup home is really special.”
It was a tremendous final, with the two 2016 Olympic-winning warriors Caslick and 34-year-old Sharni Williams inspirational, Maddison Levi roaring over for a hat-trick of tries on the right wing while speedster Faith Nathan went over for a tournament-leading eighth score.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Australia were the better team but the match showcased the familiar never-say-die spirit of New Zealand rugby as the Olympic champions fought back from 24-10 down with just over two minutes left.
Australia had looked in complete command, with Levi’s brilliant third try, skinning the Kiwi defence down the right edge, seemingly decisive.
It followed up Nathan’s early second-half score as New Zealand paid a heavy penalty, giving up two tries while Niall Williams was in the sin-bin for backchat.
But when, first, Shiray Kaka scored and then Alena Saili went over with the final desperate move of a match already in its second minute of added time, it was all down to Willison’s nerve.
But from not too far wide out, she mis-hit the conversion that would have taken the match into extra time – and looked a picture of misery.
Earlier, the Australians had beaten USA 17-7 in the semi-finals, with Caslick, who’d also orchestrated the quarter-final 35-5 victory over England on Saturday, again instrumental in a much more testing affair, nabbing two tries before Alysia Lefau-Fakaosileani scored the clincher.
But the chances of an Aussie World Cup double were extinguished almost as soon as the irrepressible Fijians had swept into a 12-0 lead in the first five minutes in the men’s semi-final, and a couple of tries from Nick Malouf and Josh Turner weren’t enough.
Then in the bronze match, though scores for Nathan Lawson and Corey Toole looked set to send the Aussies to victory, Ireland fought back from 14-7 down to snaffle the medal.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Congrats to the Aussie 7's girls on their fantastic win over the Black Fern 7's. As it's known in the women's 7's both these teams are ATM head & shoulders above the rest. Also it was a another great win by Fiji in the men's as well, as they also beat the AB's 7's. A great 7's RWC, so now onto the the WRWC in 15's.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
I think I am in love with this women team...
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Well done Pearls, you are certainly the shining light of Australian sport on the international stage at the moment. It's a pity the Australian media can't see this, what pathetic coverage was given to their victory today. For example, on ABC regional radio this arvo they have a summary of the sporting action over the weekend not one mention of the win. Gees, it's a World Cup, pull your fingers out guys.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yes it's unfortunate a few more aren't coming across to the XV's. Just imagine if Madi Levi with her Aussie Rules background joined, we would have somebody that can actually kick a footy some distance as well as her running skills etc. Bugger it, why not have the whole of the 7's team as our backline, wouldn't that be fantastic?
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Its a resourcing issue - a lot of the 7s funding comes from the Government ie Olympics. Also costs less to fund a squad of 20 than the 15s program
JC
Roar Rookie
Amazing work by the Golden Girls. So many stars in that team now. Disappointed the boys missed out on third spot but they’re becoming much more consistent which bodes well.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Mainly money and resources. Rugby is in bad shape financially so I think the focus is on the 7s especially as it is an Olympic sport.
Dave
Guest
why in the world would they switch when nearly the whole squad haven't won an Olympic gold?
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Fabulous again from the women ... Sharni Williams deservedly player of the match and tournament. What stands out for me - and I seldom miss a match these days - is every time out of the younger players, one steps up and plays even better than usual at critical times. This tournament it was Alysia Lefau –Fakaosilea.
Ethel McAAVaaarK
Guest
how come aussie girls are very good at sevens, but the 15s girls are complete flops at playing rugby?.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
I too think that is the long term solution - make it possible so the girls can play 7s AND NRLW. The way both seasons are structured means its actually quite possible.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
great win!
Cam
Roar Rookie
Good question, although you would expect the 2024 Olympics will have a big say in any decision. A few of the 7s girls have already played in the NRLW and were good in that comp. Each player has their own motivation, but if it is financial, they would be better in the rugby program. The 7's girls are on the same coin as the men ($44k), plus they are paid bonuses for playing in tournaments and extra for winning trophies (which they do regularly and would run to around another $30k). Girls like Charlotte Caslick will also earn marquee money, which may push her up to around the $$80-100k mark. She is also endorsed by ASICS and Tradie Underwear. The NRLW girls will get around $35k (they are operating under a salary cap). The expanded NRLW will only run for 11 weeks in 2023, the 7s girls could possibly be released to play if they don't have Aussie commitments.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Great year for the women - ticked off all their goals - not many sporting teams can do that. The final was a classic Oz v Kiwi match, decided on a few key moments - Williams kicking a conversion from close to the sideline and as the commentator said 'the massive mistake' by Niall Williams to geta yellow card.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
A great game to watch. Was worth getting up at 4am for. Sharni Williams was a deserved Player of the Match. Lafau-Fakaosilea and M Levi played stood out in the final too. I wish those two were joining Williams in the XVs team for the World Cup XVs.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Great team, I never miss a match, but geez they need to do some work on their post match singing.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
Great year for the Gold Girls. My highlight of the tournament was Caslick's master class in the semi. I really feel for Niall Williams, the pressure on the kick was immense and the look on her face after the miss was terrible.
Adam (Though An Imposter)
Roar Rookie
The ladies need their own professional comp. This piece-wise system is quite bad.
Marileckie
Guest
Tenika Willison hooked the ball denying us all of a helter skelter finish. But well done Oz ladies. Their average age was closer to twenty while the Kiwis were closer to thirty. The future looks very bright for the girls in gold. As for the Oz guys, Corey Toole could be well worth developing as a Wallaby 10.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Well done to the Aussie women. Taking all 3 titles on offer a great achievement especially against the Kiwis who have largely dominated the Womens Sevens. Let’s enjoy and hope the mens XV can perform well against the might of ABs on Thursday night.