1
Perth to Paris: Gold on the mind for Australia Women's Sevens
Sevens star Charlotte Caslick says it sucked not snaring a medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but she’s liking what she sees from the team as the race towards the Paris Games hots up.
ADVERTISEMENT
Australia’s women’s side have enjoyed a remarkable start to the SVNS World Series campaign, winning the opening two events in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, and will look to continue that run at leg three in Perth in late January.
They ended New Zealand’s world-record 41-match unbeaten streak to win the Dubai Sevens, before overcoming a red card in the final in Cape Town to take that title too.
Australia have become accustomed to success, with a gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics also hanging in the trophy cabinet.
Having become used to contesting for the podium places, their fifth-placed finish in Tokyo still burns – and it’s something the team are keen to make amends for.
“Tokyo wasn’t ideal. It sucks not coming away with a medal,” Caslick said.
“Every time we go out to play, we want to win. We have the same outlook on every tournament we play.”
Caslick says Australia’s golden run in Rio gave the sport a significant boost at home.
“Winning a gold medal is amazing, and the impact that had on women’s sport in Australia was massive,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We train really hard in these four-year cycles towards winning a gold medal and that being the end goal.
“But it’s the journey to get there that’s really important, and enjoying that – enjoying the time with the team during the next eight months or so together.”
Australia’s women sit on top of the ladder following their hot start to the sevens season.
They will be aiming to continue that winning run when the competition shifts to Perth, with HBF Park playing host for the World Series’ third leg from January 26-28.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s been awesome. We’ve had two great weekends in a row,” Caslick said.
“The vibe in the camp is really good, and winning helps that.
“We want to be as successful as we can before the Olympics. That will help us in Paris; momentum is good to have.
“We’re really excited to go to Perth. It’s always fun to go to a new destination. Everyone is looking forward to it.”
Speedster Maddison Levi will be one to watch in Perth following her try-scoring exploits over the first two events, including a record 12 five-pointers in Dubai.
“She’s extremely fast and strong and powerful,” Caslick said of Levi.
“She’s got some pretty awesome girls inside her that pass her the ball in space more often than not.
“If we give her the ball, she can find the tryline.
“She’s probably one of the best that’s ever played at doing that, so we’re very lucky to have her on our team.”
Australia’s men sit sixth in the standings, and need a big result in Perth to climb back into contention.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to comments