'Wouldn't go a whole day without crying': The 'tough' decision 7s star had to make
At just 20-years-old, Australian Sevens star Maddison Levi has taken the World Series circuit by storm. To put it simply, her ceiling appears to be limitless.
Levi has already proven herself to be one of the best Rugby Sevens talents in Australia, if not the world.
But the Queenslander, who has scored the most tries and points during this year’s Women’s World Series, could’ve gone down a very different sporting path.
After devoting herself to dance throughout her childhood, as she trained six hours a day after school, Levi began playing both Aussie Rules and rugby in Year 10 – and she hasn’t looked back.
Levi was a prodigy in both sports, having set the AFLW Draft combine record for the 20 metre sprint. The tall forward was later drafted by the Gold Coast Suns after coming through their Academy.
After a stellar first season in Aussie Rules, which saw her play all but one of the Suns’ matches, Levi was a shock selection for the Olympic Games. Australian Sevens coach John Manenti picked the rising star for the Games, just nine weeks after her final AFLW appearance.
“It was a pretty whirlwind year, everything kind of fell into place. I had a pretty lucky year,” Levi told RugbyPass.
“COVID was unfortunate and impacted a lot of people but I can stay that it was kind of a blessing in disguise for me.
“Drafted in 2019 and then debuted for the Suns a year later, played that whole season.
“I originally got told by a few people that if I invested into AFL that my chances of making rugby were pretty slim afterwards, so I just thought ‘you don’t tell me no.’
“I went back and worked harder playing rugby on the site and just training, keeping up my skills, and then got brought into the Oceania team which in my eyes was a great opportunity to put my foot forward for a contract.
“Never did I imagine that I’d have John Manenti asking me to stay back and go to the Olympics with the girls, that’s for sure.”
Levi has clearly travelled quite a unique path on her way to World Series stardom.
While looking back at it, she believes that pursuing a career in rugby was “definitely” the right decision, Levi had some tough days as she weighed up her future with the Gold Coast Suns.
But along with her sister Teagan, who was also impressive during the Sydney Sevens last month, Maddison was moved to the inactive list at the Suns after choosing rugby.
“It was definitely tough. There were days, like day in and day out, I definitely wouldn’t go a whole day without crying,” she added.
“You’re obviously so passionate, you train and work so hard, and to be able to have one opportunity let alone two is pretty astounding.
“Because I put so much into both sports, it was pretty tough to make a decision.
“Now, playing Sevens and after making the decision, I look back at my younger self and I think, ‘Why was the decision so hard?’
“Just the opportunity to travel the world and just the experiences we get, and just learning from cultures and just being able to play and wear that green and gold jersey.
“Without a doubt it was definitely a tough decision, but I’ve definitely made the right one.
“With AFL getting bigger and better, hopefully by the time I come back it’ll be a full-time sport.”
Australia are second on the World Series standings, but daylight separates them and leaders New Zealand after the recent tournament in Sydney.
The Black Ferns Sevens went on to win the Cup Final at Allianz Stadium with a commanding performance against underdogs France in the decider.
As for Levi and her team, they were eliminate by Les Bleus in the quarter-final stage – after captain Charlotte Caslick was controversially yellow carded.
With three tournaments to go, the race for a top four spot continues to heat up. Those teams will automatically qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Australia will be eager to return to winning ways early next month when the Sevens World Series heads to Vancouver on March 3-5.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
27 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
26 Go to comments