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Madison Ashby re-signs as Australia name squads for SVNS Vancouver
In a major boost to the Australian sevens program moving forward, young gun Madison Ashby has re-signed and will remain with the team until the end of 2026.
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10 years ago in April, Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that the then-13-year-old Ashby was hoping to play sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games. Ashby didn’t go to Rio, but it just goes to show that she’s long been destined for greatness at international level.
Ashby debuted for the national team as a teenager in 2019. The Australian has gone on to play 117 matches and was also included in the squad for the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
The now-23-year-old played a pivotal role in Australia’s Triple-Crown in the 2021-22 season as they were successful in their quest for World Series glory, they won gold at the Commonwealth Games and were crowned world champions at the Rugby Sevens World Cup.
But Ashby will have an opportunity to add more accolades and achievements to her already impressive sevens career after re-signing with the program for another couple of years.
“It was a no-brainer for me to stay with the team and we’ve got such a young group,” Ashby said in a statement.
“I look at sevens as the pinnacle of women’s sport at the moment. Only the fittest of the fittest can play this sport and I’m only 23, so with another two years under my belt playing with the best of the best it’s only going to improve my skills and ability.
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“Sevens is where my heart lies at the moment and I want to stay loyal to them and I want to be there with them.”
After a strong start to the season, it was absolutely no surprise to see Ashby included in the Australian women’s squad for SVNS Vancouver later this month.
Ashby was back to her playmaking best in Perth, with the Aussie wreaking havoc on the back of her quick feet, fast thinking and brilliant rugby IQ.
But the team didn’t end up winning their home event, and they’ll be eager to bounce back when they take the field at BC Place Stadium from February 23 to 25.
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“It’s easy to forget Madi only just turned 23 when you look at her list of achievements already in the game,” coach Tim Walsh added.
“Like a lot of the women in this squad, she’s got a massive future ahead of her and her work ethic will ensure she reaches her potential.
“As a team, we’re looking forward to getting over to Vancouver. We’ve had a good fortnight of preparation in Sydney and will be looking to build on some learnings from the Perth tournament as we continue to grow throughout the season.”
The Australian women’s side were beaten by underdogs Ireland at SVNS Perth in late January, and in literally the next match the Aussie men’s side were dealt the same fate.
With Maurice Longbottom leading the way, the Aussies were out for revenge after losing to Argentina in the Cape Town final – their same opponents in the Perth decider.
But Los Pumas Sevens were far too good. The Aussie men have claimed the runners-up medal in back-to-back tournaments, so they’ll be desperate to go one better in Canada.
While Longbottom isn’t available due to a minor calf complaint, 2023 Australian Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, Henry Paterson, is back in the mix. Michael Icely has also been named to return.
The SVNS Series heads to North America later this month with stops in Vancouver and LA. After the stop in Canada, SVNS LA is from March 1 to 3 and tickets can be bought HERE.
Australia women’s sevens side for SVNS Vancouver
- Sharni Smale, 3. Faith Nathan. 4. Dominique Du Toit, 5. Teagan Levi, 6. Madison Ashby, 7. Charlotte Caslick (c), 8. Kaitlin Shave, 9. Tia Hinds, 10. Bella Nasser, 12. Maddison Levi, 13. Heidi Dennis, 55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, 65. Sariah Paki
Australia men’s sevens side for SVNS Vancouver
- Henry Hutchison, 2. Ben Dowling, 3. Henry Palmer, 4. Dietrich Roache, 5. Tim Clements, 6. Henry Paterson, 7. Josh Turner, 9. Matt Gonzalez, 10. Nick Malouf (c), 12. Nathan Lawson, 14. James Turner, 25. Hayden Sargeant, 87. Michael Icely
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments