Watch: The try-saver that saw Maddi Levi crowned Defender of the Year

HSBC SVNS Series phenomenon Maddison Levi was crowned the Defender of the Year at the Rugby Australia Awards on Friday night, having pulled off a spectacular try-saver on New Zealand’s Kelsey Teneti in Singapore.

In the final round of the 2024/25 regular season, arch-rivals Australia and New Zealand met in the tournament decider at Singapore’s National Stadium. Michaela Brake and Risi Pouri-Lane helped the Black Ferns Sevens take the lead before Levi hit back.

Levi ran through a gap in the Black Ferns Sevens’ defensive line to score what was her 51^st try of the season, which helped the Aussies reduce the deficit to five at the break – but it didn’t take long for the New Zealanders to extend their advantage yet again.

Jazmin Felix-Hotham showcased some ‘soccer’ skills and pace to outrun Sariah Paki, before regathering to score. Teneti added another five points to New Zealand’s score, and the Paris Olympics gold medallist seemed destined to complete a double soon after.

But that’s when Levi made an unbelievable stop, denying Teneti with a desperate defensive play with less than three minutes left in the Cup Final. Levi wrapped up the ball and rolled Teneti over in one motion, before stealing possession and running the ball 15 metres upfield.

@rugbypass The slickest try save and ball steal from Maddison Levi 🤯 #rugby #hsbcsvns #hsbcsvnssgp ? original sound – RugbyPass

“What did you just do Maddi Levi,” commentator Rikki Swannell exclaimed on the broadcast, as seen on RugbyPass TV.

“Saves the try, steals the ball, gets away… that was unbelievable.”

While Australia lost that Singapore Cup Final 31-7 in April, Levi’s incredible try-saver went viral on social media. Levi’s effort was later recognised by Rugby Australia as one of four highlights nominated for Defender of the Year.

Australia Sevens talent Jayden Blake was another finalist, after making a try-saving cover tackle against the Blitzboks in Perth. Wallaroos backrower Ashley Marsters and NSW Waratahs back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii were also in the running for the media-voted award.

Levi was one of six sevens representatives who received accolades at the 2025 Rugby Australia Awards, with Faith Nathan and James Turner taking out the top individual honours as the women’s and men’s Sevens Player of the Year.

Nathan was one of three finalists for the women’s Shawn Mackay Award, which is awarded to the team’s best and most consistent player. Team captain Isabella Nasser was also in the running, along with Levi.

“It’s always an honour being nominated but especially receiving the award,” Nathan told RugbyPass and Rugby.com.au on Friday.

“There was Bella being nominated, Maddi Levi being nominated… it’s just a special achievement.”

Turner was nominated for the men’s award along with three-time Olympian Henry Hutchison and Henry Paterson. Rising stars Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey shared the Junior Men’s Player of the Year honour after impressive rookie seasons.

Mackenzie Davis was the other sevens award winner, taking out the Junior Women’s Player of the Year. Davis scored a hat-trick against Paris Olympics silver medallists Canada at the Singapore Sevens, which is just one highlight to speak of.

“I guess I’m lucky to be surrounded by some amazing players like Maddi Levi, getting 200 yesterday,” Davis told RugbyPass at Singapore’s National Stadium.

2025 Rugby Australia Awards winners

John Eales Medal – Len Ikitau
Wallaroos Player of the Year – Tabua Tuinakauvadra
Shawn Mackay Award for Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – James Turner
Shawn Mackay Award for Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Faith Nathan
SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year – Carlo Tizzano, Western Force
SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – Georgina Friedrichs, NSW Waratahs
Santos Rookie of the Year Award – Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, NSW Waratahs & Wallabies
Junior Men’s Player of the Year – Aden Ekanayake, Men’s 7s/AUS U20s & Sid Harvey, Men’s 7s/AUS U20s
Junior Women’s Player of the Year – Mackenzie Davis, Women’s 7s
Cadbury Try of the Year – Max Jorgensen, Wallabies vs. England
Defender of the Year – Maddison Levi, Women’s 7s vs. NZ, Singapore
Fedex Referee of the Year – Ella Goldsmith
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award – Jo Staples, Queensland Rugby Union
Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby – John Edwards, RugbyWA
Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award – John Carters, NSW Rugby
Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year – Craig Gardner, Tasmanian Rugby Referees