The best seven girls players at Global Youth 7's 2024

Bundles of U18 Rugby talent were on show last weekend at the Global Youth 7’s tournament at Dilworth School in Auckland.

The ninth edition of the tournament was on a picture-perfect surface in central Auckland at Dilworth School, won by Australia in the Boys’ side of the draw, and Japan for the Girls’ section.

Here’s the super seven players from the Girl’s tournament.

1. Hazuki Ochida (Japan SDS)

Ochida was many people’s favourite player to watch this weekend at the Global Youth 7’s. Ochida won MVP for the Girls’ competition and rightly so. Not the most flashy sevens player you will ever watch, but influenced the game in countless ways on both sides of the ball. Like Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Ochida was either scoring the try or converting it from the sideline, but she seemed to pop up where her team needed her the most. The most notable thing about Ochida’s game is her defensive ability around the ruck, on numerous occasions, most notably in the final, Ochida won the ball back by jackling the ball in the breakdown. Most of the time it was her tackle that brought the attacker to the ground before winning the ball back or winning a penalty for her team. Ochida’s rush defence, sharp boot-lace tackles and all-around skills were a delight to watch every time she stepped on the field, highlighting her versatility and importance for the winning Japan side. You get the sense this won’t be the last you hear of Ochida on the world stage. 

2. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand U18)

The Auckland Storm fullback and National Rugby League age group representative was an absolute superstar for the New Zealand Under 18’s sevens side this weekend, Sorensen-McGee’s blistering pace was nearly unplayable throughout the tournament, running in try after try for the national side. Although the tournament didn’t go to plan in the end, Sorensen-McGee has certainly put her hand up for national selection in whatever code she wishes to continue with. The sort of player you get the ball to in big moments, and let them do their thing. Sorensen-McGee’s ability with the ball in hand was the best in the tournament by some way. Not only is she a destructive ball carrier, but she was able to convert her tries throughout, something she is getting used to in a professional environment, as she is the Auckland Farah Palmer Cup kicker too. Will be very surprised if Sorensen-McGee isn’t in the national side sooner rather than later.

3. Waiaria Ellis (Australia U18)

An underrated weekend for the Australia U18 7’s superstar, was a mainstay in the second placed team at this tournament. Ellis had express pace with ball in hand which proved to be difficult to stop for any team’s defence. Defenders tried to shoot up and limit the time with the ball in hand, but Ellis’s sharp footwork meant that tactic was just as ineffective. The talented 15’s fullback, played for the Waratahs in this year’s Super Rugby Women’s competition and was named in the Australia A touring squad to Samoa earlier this year. It’s clear to see her talent with the ball in hand, but Ellis’ work rate around the park was what stood out for me. With the amount of space to cover and use in 7’s, her ability to utilize this space was part of the reason defenders struggled to stop her. Any gap that opened up for her was quickly identified and taken advantage of because as soon as she was through the defence, there was no catching the speedster.

4. Shalom Sauaso (Australia School’s Girls) 

If you haven’t heard of Shalom Sauaso, after this tournament you certainly will. Sauaso has played for the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team this year, the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Women’s competition and was named in the 2024 Pacific Four Wallaroos squad. Sauaso also won MVP of the 2023 Global Youth 7’s tournament, playing for the Australia 7’s U18 team. As for this weekend’s action at Dilworth, Sauaso was destructive with the ball in hand, a brick wall on defence, while adding the extras with conversions too. Sauaso was most effective on the defensive side of the ball, always popping up at the ruck, counter-rucking and winning penalties for her team. Every time there was a ruck needing to be cleaned out, Sauaso was there for the Australia School Girls. There’s also clear leadership skills there, helping teammates throughout the weekend in more ways than just on the field. One of those players you watch once, and know it won’t be the last you see of them. Whatever Shalom Sauaso puts her mind to with an oval-shaped ball in hand, you wouldn’t bet against her.

5. Rhani Hagan (Australia U18)

The Australia U18’s captain was a massive part of the side’s finals run. Hagan, a superb Touch rugby player, showcased her talent throughout the weekend in more than just scoring tries. Before the tournament, Hagan was named captain of the Australia U18 squad, stacked with players that were part of the Australia A 7’s side to travel to Dubai last month. Hagan’s electric pace gave the Australian team a different dimension to many teams, being able to rely on Hagan to beat players with just raw ability. The superb support play shown during the weekend by Hagan was a testament to her rugby knowledge and understanding of the sevens game. Hagan was yellow carded in the first half of the final against Japan but bounced back to set up her teammates to try to wrestle back the momentum against a red-hot Japan side. “We got you skip” I heard multiple times from the sideline, reinforcing Hagan’s importance for this team.

6. Levonah Motuliki (New Edition) 

Might be a surprising name to see on the list, but Levonah Motuliki stood out every time the New Edition Girls team step on the field. Motuliki was palming the ball in one hand, bringing teammates into play as it took more than one defender to bring her down. Her fend, and ability to offload the ball effortlessly showcased her exceptional ball-carrying prowess. Not only did she have power and strength, but her solid defence was an underrated aspect of her game. Motuliki was effective off the kickoff, winning aerial duels and punishing the mistakes made by her opposition. There was a clear plan throughout to get Motuliki on a short ball line off her playmaker pass throughout the tournament, with a highlight posted on social media of her fending off one defender, and offloading the ball to get her teammate through a gap, which proved to be a constant in the New Edition playbook. Motuliki was powerful, difficult to bring down and was used effectively on both sides of the ball. 

7. Litia Bulicakau (Central Storm)

Flair and passion. Two words to describe Litia Bulicakau’s performance over the weekend at the Global Youth 7’s. The constant work rate of Bulicakau around the park was key in Central Storm’s run to fourth in the tournament. Bulicakau was able to manufacture space for her teammates whether it be breaking tackles and finding an offload, or putting her teammates through gaps with smart and accurate passing. Although the Central Storm were drawn a tough set of matches, playing against the Australian School Girls, New Zealand U18’s and the Australia 7’s team, Bulicakau was able to stand out from the rest and often wrestle her team back into the contest with extraordinary moments of skill.