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The World Rugby Sevens season got underway in Dubai last weekend. Let’s have a look at how things went for the Australian women’s and men’s sides.
The Aussie women are very good and a joy to watch. They continued to do what they usually do in Dubai – win. The score in the final was 26-19 over perennial rivals New Zealand.
It was New Zealand’s first series loss after a record 41 consecutive match win streak which started in 2022… After losing to Australia in the Dubai final.
The tournament for the women started with big wins over Brazil and Japan. With all due respect to those teams they were matches Australia were expected to win and win well. The final pool match was against Ireland. While Australia has won 28 of the 29 matches between the two teams in the World Series, they’re usually tough and close encounters.
This time only the first six minutes were close until Maddison Levi scored. Then the Aussies scored in the eighth, ninth, tenth and twelfth minutes, Aussies win 33-5. This was an indication things were looking good.
The quarter final also was expected to be a very tough battle. The USA often cause problems for the Australians with their physicality and athleticism. The Australians win rate, on the World Series, over the USA is only 61%. The key for the Australians’ success against the Americans is possession, possession, possession.
They did that with a first half blitz with tries in the first, second, third, sixth and seventh minutes. They ran out 32-5 winners. While possession is a no brainer of a comment, against the USA’s physicality Australia finds it hard to be dominant in defence, which helps them change momentum.
Maddison Levi of Australia reacts after victory in the final against New Zealand during the HSBC SVNS rugby tournament on December 3, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Getty Images)
Next was France in the semi-final, a team who also have caused problems for the Australians. In the last couple of years, apart from the Kiwis obviously, no team has had more wins over Australia than France. The Australians scrapped through 21-14, with Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea receiving a yellow card in the first half, then red carded with four minutes remaining in the game. To win playing with only six players for six of the 14 minutes was an indicator the Aussie women were playing very well. All the players were contributing.
Leading into the final the only real concern, was being without Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea who has become a fixture of the starting lineup. On the flip side the Kiwis would be without captain Sarah Hirini out injured and (resting from the tournament) Tyla Nathan-Wong.
So the question was, who would (or could) replace Lefau-Fakaosilea?
That question was answered in the first 20 seconds of the final when Bienne Terita busted through and scored a long distance try. It was the perfect start. Naturally the Kiwis hit back with superstar in the making Jorja Miller, her performance with a hat-trick of tries was outstanding. In the end with 90 seconds to go it was locked up 19 all, Charlotte Caslick and Demi Hayes combined to get the ball to Maddi Levi who fended off a tackler, seamlessly transferred the ball and fended another player with her other hand, to run over to score.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Not surprisingly player of the match was Teagan Levi who ran more in the final and scored two tries. More often she is known for her distribution skills ie pass/ offload to her sister Maddi who gets the tries. Add to this her physicality around counter rucking, she has really developed since her debut in Dubai in 2021.
Also a mention on Demi Hayes’ return after missing the last three tournaments with a back injury. Not all players can be superstars who make the highlight reel, a team needs solid players you can rely on to do their job. She had a very good tournament coming off the bench. It is worth noting she has been a long time member of this squad debuting in 2016 as a 17 year old.
The Aussie sevens men’s season did not kick off as planned, finishing seventh. A close pool loss to Ireland, a bit of a belting by Argentina, (eventual tournament runner-up), but they did get a win over Spain. Unfortunately, that set them up for a quarter final against eventual winners South Africa. It seems South Africa are back on track after finishing last season a surprising seventh overall.
What positives can be taken out of the men’s Dubai campaign, noting coach John Manenti said they have a bit of work to do (probably a bit of an understatement)?
It should be recognised that the new World Sevens Series format means there are no easy games. The number of teams has been reduced from 16 to 12. So it is highly competitive. (This is different to the women’s World Series where there is a significant gap between the top few teams and the rest).
From a glass half full perspective they did get the win over USA in the seventh/ eighth playoff. Some may find it hard to see this as a positive. However in the new Series format ranking points are critical to ensure the team finishes in the top eight to automatically qualify for next season’s World Series. Finish outside the top eight and teams are required to go through playoffs in the Madrid tournament against the top four of the Challenger series to qualify for next year.
Players can train all they like but nothing compares to game time. The Dubai tournament provided an opportunity to give some of the less experienced and new players serious minutes, build combinations and depth. (The men’s squad does not have the stability of the women’s squad where 11 of the players have been constants since Dubai 2021.) It also was an opportunity to put minutes into the legs of players such as Nick Malouf and Maurice Longbottom who were returning from injury. They will be better for the run this weekend in Cape Town.
Also the Henrys have yet to return to the men’s team. Two of the squad’s stars Henry Paterson and Henry Hutchinson will be back from injury in due course.
So despite the Dubai performance, all is not lost. This weekend, it is Cape Town time.
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.