Levi among stars sharpening for SVNS Series at NextGen 7s

Australia Sevens stars are ramping up their pre-season ahead of the new HSBC SVNS Series campaign, with several frontline stars from the women’s team set to take the field at the NextGen 7s Series this weekend.

New South Wales are the defending champions, having beaten Queensland in Byron Bay last season to take out the title in the final round. In a four-round competition, the Waratahs and Reds will be joined by the ACT Brumbies in the battle for championship glory.

Madison Higgins-Ashby, Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor have all been named in the Brumbies squad, meaning they’re now just days away from returning to the field after unfortunate stints on the sideline during the 2024/25 season.

Burger on why versatility can be beneficial in the long run

Burger on why versatility can be beneficial in the long run

Those three will be joined by Wallaroos wider squad members Biola Dawa, Lily Bone and Ella Ryan in the Brumbies side. 25 players have been picked in that squad, including SVNS Series regulars Ruby Nicholas and Kahli Henwood.

 

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Teagan Levi and Faith Nathan headline the Reds squad, while Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea is also in line to make a return from a serious knee injury. New Zealand-born Wallaroo Carys Dallinger is also with the Queenslanders, along with rising star Amahli Hala.

As for the defending champions, the Tahs have been bolstered by the inclusions of Sariah Paki and Piper Simons. Simons went from strength-to-strength during an impressive season on the SVNS Series last season. Recent Wallaroos debutant Waiaria Ellis has also been named.

NextGen 7s has been a highly successful pathway for the Australia Sevens women’s side, with the Levi sisters, Nathan, Higgins-Ashby, Shave and Nicholas all coming through that system before starring on the world circuit.

“The ISPS Handa NextGen 7s Series exposes future talent to a high-level competition alongside athletes who have competed at the highest level,” Rugby Australia’s Head of Women’s Pathways Lachlan Parkinson said in a statement.

“The inclusion of the ACT Brumbies this year and players from affiliated states shows the growth in the program and the strong pathways on offer for players and coaches to select future teams including for the upcoming Australia A tour in Dubai.

“It also allows for some of our players in the national program to return to the field as part of their injury comebacks and to get minutes under their belt following an extended off-season.”

NextGen 7s gets underway this weekend at Sunshine Coast Stadium. The second round will be held at Sydney’s Forshaw Rugby Park, before the third stop at Brumbies HQ in Canberra. Then, the finals will take place at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium on September 13.

Players will be released by Super Rugby clubs throughout the season.

NextGen 7s squads 2025

ACT Brumbies

• Aaliyah Lomas
• Adelaide Norris
• Ashlea Bishop
• Biola Dawa
• Bonnie Brewer
• Brooklyn Teki-Joyce (Rugby WA)*
• Chioma Enyi
• Ella Ryan
• Emily Hudson
• Fofoa Tulimafono (Rugby VIC)*
• Gabrielle Petersen
• Georgie Hayes
• Jenna Aiono (Rugby VIC)*
• Kahli Henwood
• Kaitlin Shave
• Kyah Little
• Lily Bone
• Madison Higgins-Ashby
• Makenna Ravouvou
• Nicole Ledington (Rugby WA)*
• Paula Lee Going
• Reese Vidle
• Ruby Nicholas
• Sidney Taylor
• Zoe Quigley

NSW Waratahs

• Amelia Whitaker
• Anaia Cruickshank
• Anika McCarthy
• Bridget Clark
• Chanel Williams
• Charli Hardgrave
• Coco Marsters
• Damita Betham
• Darci Turinui
• Darcie Prosser-Shaw
• Edie Burke
• Keira Callaghan
• Khyliah Gray
• Kiiahla Duff
• Lacey Cross
• Logan Lemusu
• Lola Harvison
• Lusiana Vesikula
• Milla Elaro
• Piper Simons
• Poppi Flanders
• Sariah Paki
• Talia Berryman
• Tatum Bird
• Waiaria Ellis

Queensland Reds

• Abbi Spooner
• Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
• Amahli Hala
• Amy Lorenz
• Anna Park
• Ava Wereta
• Carys Dallinger
• Charli Nikola
• Dani Martens
• Emmisyn Wynyard
• Evie Sampson
• Faith Nathan
• Kaelyn Passi
• Kianna Maclean
• Madi Collins
• Madison Pomerenke
• Matilda Richards
• Nikeisha Ngaru
• Reese Orcher
• Rhani Hagan
• Tahli Devine
• Tahlia Evans
• Taleah Ackland
• Teagan Levi
• Sophie Duff
• Zoe Waters

ISPS HANDA NEXTGEN 7s SCHEDULE 2025

Round 1 – Sunday 3 August – Sunshine Coast Stadium

• 9.30am: Reds v Brumbies
• 11.00am: Waratahs v Reds
• 12.30pm: Brumbies v Waratahs
• 2.00pm: Reds v Brumbies
• 3.30pm: Waratahs v Reds

Round 2 – Sunday 17 August – Forshaw Rugby Park, Sydney

• 9.30am: Waratahs v Brumbies
• 11.00am: Reds v Waratahs
• 12.30pm: Brumbies v Reds
• 2.00pm: Waratahs v Brumbies
• 3.30pm: Reds v Waratahs

Round 3 – Sunday 31 August 2025 – Brumbies HQ, Canberra

• 9.30am: Brumbies v Reds
• 11.00am: Waratahs v Brumbies
• 12.30pm: Reds v Waratahs
• 2.00pm: Brumbies v Reds
• 3.30pm: Waratahs v Brumbies

Round 4 (Finals) – Saturday 13 September – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

9.30am: 1st position table v 2nd position table
1100am: 2nd position table v 3rd position table
12.30pm: 1st position table v 3rd position table
2.00pm: 2nd position finals table v 3rd position finals table
3.30pm: 1st position finals table v winner of 2 v 3