GAME BY GAME: Women finish fourth, Men rally for ninth in Cape Town

Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 4:00 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Maddison Levi goes length of the field to score the match winner and breaks the all-time try scoring record for a single event in the process

The Australia Sevens sides will look to cap 2024 off on a high as they head to Cape Town for the second leg of the SVNS World Series.

The Women's side were coming off their fifth straight title in Dubai and finished fourth after defeats to the USA and France.

Catch every game of SVNS World Series LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.

Mackenzie Davis comes in for her debut as they look for back-to-back titles in South Africa.

As for the Men, they finished ninth after wins over Ireland and the USA, rebounding after a tough opening day.

Jayden Blake comes into the side after Nathan Lawson's departure due to personal reasons, the third player to debut for the side in two events.

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:
Australia Men 12 v Kenya Men 19

Australia have been stunned 19-12 by Kenya to kick off the Cape Town event.

James Turner got Australia off to a flyer as he scored in the opening minutes of the match.

Hayden Sargeant crossed shortly afterwards for a 12-0 lead before Kenya struck before halftime.

Kenya hit the front after Aden Ekanayake was sin binned after giving away a penalty try, with the Kenyans extending their lead with 90 seconds to go, closing out the win

Australia Women 45 v Brazil Women 5

Australia have started fast with a 45-5 win over Brazil.

Maddi Levi picked up where she left off from Dubai with the opening try of the game.

She was followed over by Isabella Nasser and Faith Nathan as the Australians took a 19-5 lead at the break.

Levi added her second and third to start the second half as the Australians were in control throughout the contest.

Piper Simons crossed late to the delight of her teammates as the Aussies cruised home to victory.

Australia Women 26 v Canada Women 10

Australia are into the semi-finals with a 26-10 win over Canada.

The Australians were forced to defend down two players after Tia Hinds and Sariah Paki were yellow-carded for respective infringements.

However, the Aussies rallied as Hinds crossed for the opener in the corner after a great burst from Teagan Levi for the lone try of the half.

A yellow card to Canada provided the chance for Paki to cross after the break, followed by Heidi Dennis.

Canada got on the board but Mackenzie Davis was quick to respond with a lovely step and burst for her debut try on the World Series to seal the win.

Australia Men 14 v Spain Men 19

Australia will fight for ninth position after a 19-14 loss to Spain.

The Australians needed to win to keep their title hopes alive, with Henry Paterson crossing for the opener.

Spain hit back to level the scores before hitting the front 14-7 before the half-time break.

The Aussies fought for an equaliser but Spain extended their lead in the second half.

James McGregor got his first try of the series but it was too little, too late as Spain secured the win

Australia Men 12 v Ireland Men 7

Australia have rebounded with a 12-7 victory over Ireland to start day two.

The severely injury-hit Irish side had recently retired Harry McNulty as the only sub on their bench

James Turner crossed for the opener but Ireland hit back to take the lead before the half-time break.

A yellow card to Michael Icely forced the Aussies to dig deep, with Icely returning from the sin bin to set up Aden Ekanayake to put Australia in front.

It proved to be the winner as Australia advance to play for ninth.

Australia Women 19 v USA Women 24

Australia have been taken down 24-19 by the USA.

It was a tense start as the Australians eventually opened the scoring when Charlotte Caslick set up Tia Hinds, shrugging off a shoulder knock earlier in the phase for the try.

The Americans hit back shortly afterwards but Faith Nathan produced a superb long range effort to restore Australia’s lead.

Maddison Levi showed off her defensive abilities to extend the advantage, getting the pilfer and running away for her fourth try of the weekend.

The USA weren’t ready to go down without a fight as back-to-back tries set up a grandstand finish thanks to Nia Toliver.

Toliver scored the winner with seconds remaining as they backed up their efforts from the Olympics.

Australia Men 19 v USA Men 12

Australia have finished ninth with a gutsy 19-12 win over the USA.

Henry Hutchison opened the account for the Aussies as they went into the break locked at 7-all.

Matt Gonzalez extended the advantage before debutant Jayden Blake scored his maiden try on the World Series.

The Americans reduced the lead via Lucas Lacamp but it was too little, too late as they held on for the win.

Australia Women 14 v France Women 17

Australia have finished fourth after a 17-14 defeat to France.

France caught the Aussies napping early after blitzing them in the opening minutes.

They scored three straight tries as the Australians were left with little answer to their attack.

Maddison Levi settled the Dubai champions with a much needed try but it was the French who had a 10-point lead heading into the break.

The Levis combined to give Australia after Teagan broke the line well into her in-goal before finding Maddison for her second.

A late red card to France gave the Aussie hope but couldn’t find a way through as the French held on

Australia Women’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024/2025: 

1. Piper Simons

3. Faith Nathan 

4. Mackenzie Davis*

5. Teagan Levi 

7. Charlotte Caslick 

9. Tia Hinds 

10. Isabella Nasser (c)

12. Maddison Levi 

13. Heidi Dennis 

15. Kahli Henwood

23. Ruby Nicholas 

28. Kiiahla Duff

65. Sariah Paki 

* denotes debut

Australia Men’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024/2025: 

1. Henry Hutchison (c)

2. Ben Dowling 

3. Henry Palmer 

6. Henry Paterson 

7. James McGregor 

9. Matt Gonzalez 

10. Ben Dalton 

13. Jayden Blake

14. James Turner 

15. Sid Harvey

23. Aden Ekanayake

25. Hayden Sargeant

87. Michael Icely

HSBC SVNS CAPE TOWN - AUSTRALIA WOMEN FIXTURES

Pool A

Saturday, December 7

Australia 45 def Brazil 5 (10:22 pm AEDT)

Sunday, December 8

Australia 26 def Canada 10 (1:48 am AEDT)

Australia 19 def by USA 24 (10:34 pm AEDT) - SEMI-FINALS

Australia v France (2:34 am AEDT) - BRONZE MEDAL MATCH

HSBC SVNS CAPE TOWN - AUSTRALIA MEN FIXTURES

Pool B

Saturday, December 7

Australia 12 def by Kenya 19 (8:00 pm AEDT)

Sunday, December 8

Australia 14 def by Spain 19 (2:57 am AEDT)

Australia 12 def Ireland 7 (7:38 pm AEDT) - NINTH PLACE SEMIS

Monday, December 9

Australia 19 def USA 12 (12:02 am) - NINTH PLACE FINAL

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