SVNS awards: Battle of sensations in women's as Pumas dominate men's

Women’s sevens sensations Australia’s Maddison Levi and New Zealand’s Jorja Miller will go head-to-head to be crowned HSBC SVNS women’s player of the year next month.

The pair will go up against Brazil’s Thalia Costa for the award, with the winner set to be announced after the SVNS World Championships at Los Angeles’ Dignity Health Sports Park this weekend.

Levi, 23, and Miller, 21, have set the series alight this season, with Australia and New Zealand sharing every title between them. New Zealand were crowned SVNS league winners following their victory in Singapore, but were pushed all the way by Australia, who were leading the series until a late surge by the Kiwis.

Men’s league winners Argentina are also well-represented in the men’s player of the year category, with Luciano Gonzalez and Marcos Moneta both making the cut.

The Argentine duo will compete with Spain captain Pol Pla for the accolade, after a campaign where Los Leones amassed three podium finishes.

Second-place in the men’s standings, Fiji, will be represented by George Bose at the awards, who has been nominated alongside France’s Enahemo Artaud and Australia’s Aden Ekanayake for the SVNS rookie of the year award.

Australia’s Kahli Henwood, Fiji’s Vika Nakacia and the USA’s Nia Toliver, meanwhile, will compete for the women’s rookie of the year title.

“These awards celebrate the extraordinary talent, passion, and dedication that define our game,” said World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin.

“After a thrilling global series, we are proud to recognise the players and moments that have captured the spirit of rugby sevens and lit up the world stage.

“We look forward to honouring our nominees and crowning the winners at what promises to be an unforgettable finale in Los Angeles.”

HSBC SVNS Men’s Try of the Year
Simon Désert France v Fiji (Cape Town)
Anton Legorburu Spain v New Zealand (Vancouver)
Marcos Moneta Argentina v Australia (Hong Kong)
Vuiviwa Naduvalo Fiji v France (Dubai)

HSBC SVNS Women’s Try of the Year
Michaela Brake New Zealand v Ireland (Vancouver)
Heidi Dennis Australia v New Zealand (Perth)
Minako Taniyama Japan v USA (Vancouver)
Nia Toliver USA v Australia (Cape Town)