The Australian women’s Sevens team have fallen just short of being crowned regular-season champions, losing 31-21 to New Zealand in the Singapore Sevens final.
In a double dose of pain too, Tim Walsh’s side will be sweating on the fitness of star playmaker Madison Ashby after the 23-year-old suffered what appeared to be a serious knee-injury.
Despite missing four regulars for the tournament, including captain and gold medallists Charlotte Caslick and Sharni Smale, Australia progressed through to the final after winning a tight semi-final over France.
Walsh’s side then took a 14-12 lead over the Black Ferns at half-time after tries to Maddison Levi and Isabella Nasser, before Ashby went down after making a tackle on New Zealand star Jorja Miller early in the second half. The pain was written all over her face as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Michaela Blyde cuts through the Australia defence during New Zealand’s win in the HSBC SVNS final at National Stadium on 5 May, 2024 in Singapore. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Without their interim captain, as well as Lily Dick and Sariah Paki, Australia lacked the experience and composure to stick with their trans-Tasman rivals as Michaela Blyde ran in to score her third try.
New Zealand then showed no mercy for Australia, with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Stacey Waaka also scoring second-half tries.
Levi then continued her fine tournament, scoring her second of the match to add some respectability to the scoreboard.
Despite the 10-point defeat, Walsh praised his side for their courage and skill throughout the tournament where they managed to deal with the absence of several of their usual stars.
“A quality tournament and performance to be proud of. The girls were courageous, ruthless, and skilful,” Walsh said.
“Madison Ashby led the team with consistency and conviction. Faith Nathan was electric and the whole team contributed with roles.”
Walsh, however, will be sweating on the fitness of Ashby.
Although the playmaker has been shown a couple of red cards across the tournament, Ashby’s pace and skill has her amongst the elite players in the world.
She acts as the perfect foil for regular skipper Caslick, allowing Australia a one-two punch to unleash Levi and Nathan.
In better news, Nasser continued her rise with her physicality and prowess on both sides of the ball shining in the absence of Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.
New Zealand didn’t have it all their way either, with Tyla King (rolled ankle) and Shiray Kaka (knee) injured earlier in the tournament.
Australia is sweating on the fitness of Madison Ashby ahead of the Olympics. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
On the men’s side, New Zealand smashed Australia in the semi-finals 28-12 before going on to edge out Ireland 17-14 in the final.
John Manenti’s side then were hammered 26-7 by Great Britain after failing to capitalise on some early opportunities.
But without regular playmakers Maurice Longbottom and Matthew Gonzalez, Manenti will see their top four finish in Singapore as a step forward.
“It was another tight tournament with plenty to be proud of. The courage to play with a three-man bench for four games ultimately took its toll,” Manenti said.
“Our attack was on point most of the weekend with Dietrich Roache and Hayden Sargeant having great performances.
“Debutant Teddy Wilson also made a great impression before suffering a head knock. We’ll recover and be better for Madrid.”
Meanwhile, the Marcos Moneta-less Argentina claimed their maiden World Series title after beating South Africa 14-10 South Africa in the fifth-placed play-off.
While Los Pumas struggled over the past two tournaments without their electric speedster, who has emerged as the world’s best sevens player in recent seasons, the South Americans still managed to hold on to secure the tournament.
Argentina finished on top of the rankings with 106 points, followed by Ireland (104), NZ (93) and Australia (83).
Australia’s Sevens teams are back in action in Madrid for the SVNS Grand Final from May 31-June 2 – their final tournament of the season before the Olympics.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Something that Aotearoa has many of, but to a lesser extent. There are career opportunities there as well, as we see with the current PM, who was born in Aotearoa, brought up in Australia,& then took his ideas of a politician back to Aotearoa where he’s a known failure in many ways. Our snow fields are far superior to what Australia has, as with our boating people that’s shown with our retention of the America’s Cup. Both nations have their benefits of one’s choice, so it’s up to the individual as to where they chose to go. But then talking about fighting Australia has yet to produce a world heavyweight contender of note, as we see now with Joseph Parker who’s filled the gap of those before him. Yes we both have our advantages in all those mentioned
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Absolutely.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I’m sure some Australians head to NZ but I’m referring to significant success & career opportunities that Australia provides that they are unable to get in NZ. Eg the NRL, A-League, Super Cars, iron men/ women to name a couple. I just think it is great.
TC
Roar Rookie
Hugh it's great to have Pacifica influence in Australia..Just like our Kiwi Brothers :thumbup:
Tony
Roar Rookie
Well you cld apply the same logic to the Black Ferns who have more 1st choice players injured than Australia incl their Capt Sarah Hirini who has been out since Dubai
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Congrats Pumas 7s!!! Well deserved League Winners. Even without Money man, Alvarez and Osadzuck, they smashed NZ in group stage and edged SA. Not favourites for Madrid but in Paris with those guys are big contenders
Faith
Roar Rookie
Does it matter. They still don't win lol.
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Will Hooper make the Wallabies 7’s for the Olympics. There are many occasions when he seems lost out in the middle.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As it is with many Australians emigrating to Aotearoa, but not in the same numbers as to be expected Hugh, where they can receive benefits far more quickly than what new emigrants here do. TBH you do have one of Aotearoa’s finest comedians in Crowe to which he is on your plate now! lol ????
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Kiwis winning was expected. Biggest take outs Madison Ashby is exceptionally good, hope her knee is ok but my gut feel is, it won’t be. Secondly hope Henry Paterson is ok we need him. Thirdaly, like 15s , with our best we can compete with anyone, once the top drops offer in both men & women we are in trouble. But despite that still enjoy watching both teams.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Muzzo, as I have said many times before how good is it , Australia really is the land of milk and honey for our brethren across the ditch in sport & non sport. We now provide not just opportunities for all the Kiwi sports men & women across so many sports to have a career but also all the comedians / comediennes.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Good effort by both teams but both well beaten by the Kiwi's. Reality shows the women are being continually bested by NZ - lost I think the last 4 times and fairly convincingly the last two. They are making a few too many mistakes - dropsies, pushed passes - with their up tempo game and Nasser aside, lack players prepared to run the hard yards and (legitimately) put on big hits. Been that way since their rash of cards and suspensions for high tackles/head contact - they were slow to adjust and haven't been the same since. On the upside Ashby showed she was up to leading until that injury in the final (hope its not serious), newcomer Ruby Nicholas looks very good and the Levi sisters still in good form. What happened to Lily Dick and Sariah Paki? They weren't obviously injured or pinged for high shots ...
nroko
Roar Rookie
Its only in the last couple of tournaments the Team GB (men) have been putting in good performances, they have been disappointing in this Olympic cycle. I would say England team alone was far more competitive (and successful in the past) - but since the inclusion of 7s in the Olympics, playing separately for 3 years and coming together in Olympic year didn't make sense so they have decided to play as Team GB full time.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Both Aus and NZ women are so impressive, not only as players but in how they carry themselves on and off the field, both have amazing talents in their squads, the Levi sisters, the sheer speed of Blyde and who can’t admire Woodman-Wickliffe as an athlete?, 7’s will lose one of the greats when she stops playing.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
NZ may fancy themselves when they get their top players back as well ,
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As with Northern Ireland, & it's not because it's a Olympic sport, as those nations used to compete individually. So much for the IOC's boast that it's nation against nation! But then it was the same during the apartheid era when South Africa was banned, but not so the Yanks when they had their racial issues a while ago now. Even now Russia has seemingly been banned, as they did once have a very competitive women's team>
scrum
Roar Rookie
It’s because Sevens is an Olympic sport and Great Britain must compete as that. Wales and Scotland are part of GB in governance and Law
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True Ben as Hooper was slow around the field.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True Tony, as some should refer to the overall records of the two nations against each other, as then they might understand!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True about losing Ashby, one of the many Maori girls within the squad, but the Black Ferns had their injury problems as well, with Sarah Hirini their captain being out with an injury, along with some others. Even the AB 7's men had Dickson, Curry, Webber, Mikkelson along with others missing, but didn't do as well as their female counterparts in taking out this years World Series title. I realise the AB 7's have won more tournaments & series titles than any other nation on the planet but they too were not as impressive this season, even though they were improving towards seasons end. TBH Christy, it was Madi Levi that's had the most red cards this season, not Ashby as you say, so in truth that's a coaching problem that really hasn't been addressed that well as seeing how lucky one of the girls was in their semi final, still going to high.