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Maddison Levi’s return to boost Aussie 7s' quest for Vancouver crown
Australia will welcome back try-scoring machine Maddison Levi on Day Two at SVNS Vancouver with the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year available after serving a suspension.
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Levi, 21, was sent off in the Cape Town Cup final in December but saw red for a second time in her first game back from suspension in the Perth quarter-final against New Zealand.
The Australian scored 57 tries in a record-breaking season in 2022/23, and even coach Tim Walsh couldn’t quite hide his excitement ahead of Levi’s return on Saturday.
With the SVNS Series leaders missing the likes of Bienne Terita and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea through injury, Levi’s impending availability put a Smile on coach Walsh’s face.
“When we went out and we had all the GPS units that were left in the control pad, it was like four or five absolute weapons,” Walsh told RugbyPass after Australia’s second game in Vancouver.
“We’re a program that’s building depth and we need to be able to perform regardless.
“To see Lily Dick and do a job, Tia Hinds come in and do a job. You see (Sidney) Taylor getting her debut.
“We’ve got the season to really make sure we have got depth so whenever something does happen, someone’s there to fill in.
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“Very nice to have Maddy Levi coming back,” he said, almost with a chuckle.
Series leaders Australia started their campaign at the Canadian venue with a hard-fought win over Japan. Australia had beaten Japan 66-nil in Dubai only a few months ago, but it was a very different story this time around.
Sakura Mizutani reaped the rewards of Japan’s attacking pressure to score in the fifth minute, and while Sharni Smale and captain Charlotte Caslick hit back for the Aussies, another Japan try made things interesting at the death.
Honoka Tsutsumi scored with a minute to play, but the missed conversion out-wide left the favourites with a two-point advantage – and that’s all they needed.
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Australia emerged victorious 12-10 in only the second game of the event, but took things up another level against Fiji in their other Pool B clash on Day One.
“I thought Japan played unbelievable. If you’re always looking at outcomes in sevens, you’re going to go mad,” Walsh said.
“It’s a rollercoaster of a ride and you’ve got to play not so well and still get away with a win.
“I don’t think we played that badly to be honest. I think Japan played really well but snuck away, we kept them in the corner when they scored their (last) try.
“We got that and then we put in a much better performance against Fiji.
“We’re missing some artillery so it’s really good that someone’s not playing, someone else jumps in and does the job.”
Australia will take on Iloner Maher’s United States of America on Saturday morning as they look to wrap up top spot in Pool B with a run of three wins from as many starts.
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
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