GAME BY GAME: Australia Women's Sevens fall to New Zealand in Final, Men finish fourth

Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 11:41 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Jayden Blake finishes off a lovely team try in Australia Sevens Men's opening match of Vancouver

The Australian Sevens teams will return to action on the SVNS World Series as they head north to Vancouver.

The Men went down to Fiji in the bronze medal match following a tight loss to South Africa.

Watch the 2025-2026 HSBC SVNS Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Liam Barry's side welcome Dietrich Roache, Maurice Longbottom and James Turner back from injury, with Archie Saunders in line for a debut.

For the Women, they again lost to New Zealand in the Final after taking care of France in the semi-finals.

Former co-captain Demi Kennewell (née Hayes) makes her return after a long injury layoff following a knee injury.


Follow a recap of all the action, game by game, below
MONDAY MARCH 9
Australia Women 17 v 24 New Zealand Women - FINAL

New Zealand have struck right before full-time for a 24-17 win over Australia.

Alena Saili was the hero, scoring with seconds remaining after the Aussies launched the fightback.

A double to Maddison Levi and an excellent solo effort from Mackenzie Davis levelled the scores before the dagger came.

Australia Men 10 v Fiji Men 29 - BRONZE MEDAL MATCH

Australia will finish fourth with a 29-10 defeat to Fiji.

The Fijians started fast with the first two tries of the match before Maurice Longbottom hit back.

Tensions started to flare as Jayden Blake was yellow carded, with a Fijian try knocked off for retaliation in the back field.

Blake crossed for the Aussies but their own yellows to Josh Turner and Harry Wilson ended their comeback hopes as Fiji sealed the win with two late tries.

Australia Women 14 v France Women 5 - SEMI FINAL

Australia will once again face New Zealand in the Final after a 14-5 win over France.

Madison Ashby’s opening try provided Australia with a narrow 7-5 lead amid a tense first half.

Tia Hinds gave the Aussies some crucial breathing room, backing their defence to stop the French from launching a comeback.

Australia Men 12 v South Africa Men 19 - SEMI FINAL

Australia will play Fiji for bronze after a 19-12 defeat to South Africa in the semi-finals.

The Australians rallied from an early deficit to lead 12-7 at the break after a double to Aden Ekanayake.

However, South Africa struck before and after half-time for the lead via David Brits and Selvyn Davids left the Aussies chasing for a response.

In the end, they couldn’t find a way through the defence to send the game into extra-time, with the ball coming loose on halfway.

SUNDAY MARCH 8
Australia Women 22 v USA Women 7

Australia have topped their pool with a 22-7 win over the USA.

Maddison Levi produced another hat-trick to further her lead on top of the try scorer table.

Heidi Dennis also crossed as the Aussies complete their perfect day.

Australia Men 14 v Fiji Men 35

Australia are into the knockout stages despite a 35-14 loss to Fiji.

Their place in the semis was decided before kick off after France took down Argentina.

Fiji strike first as the Aussies rallied through Henry Hutchison and Aden Ekanayake to leave them trailing by seven at the break.

But the Fijians hit back in the second half to control the contest, with Douglas Daveta crossing for a double.

Australia Women 26 v Canada Women 12

Australia have kept the unbeaten run in Canada going after defeating the hosts 26-7.

Maddison Levi quieted the home crowd early, crossing for a first half double as they took a 19-7 lead.

Levi completed the hat-trick shortly after the break as the Aussies secured their place in the semi-finals.

Australia Men 19 v France Men 7

Australia has taken a massive step towards the semi-finals with a 19-7 win over France.

Maurice Longbottom got the action started with a try in his 50th tournament, before debutant Archie Saunders got his first on the World Series.

Ben Dalton added to the lead after the break as the dogged defensive display from the Aussies kept the French scoreless until after the siren.

Australia Women 38 v Fiji Women 24

Australia have come away with a hard-fought 38-24 win over Fiji.

The Fijians pushed the Australians all the way after Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan scored the opening two tries.

Levi would get her second but Fiji kept in touch until Mackenzie Davis' try on the siren shut out any thoughts of the game going to extra time.

Australia Men 17 v Argentina Men 15

Australia started the men’s tournament with a hard-fought 17-15 win over Argentina.

The sides traded tries in the first half, with Jayden Blake’s late effort and sharp goal kicking giving them a two point lead at the break.

Blake’s second extended the advantage and while Los Pumas hit back with seconds on the clock, the conversion to tie it up just fell short.

Australia Women’s Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS Vancouver:

2. Amahli Hala – 5 events

3. Faith Nathan – 36 events

4. Mackenzie Davis – 9 events

6. Madison Ashby (c) – 29 events

9. Tia Hinds – 25 events

10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 21 events

11. Demi Kennewell – 28 events

12. Maddison Levi – 31 events

13. Heidi Dennis – 10 events

14. Bridget Clark – 8 events

15. Kahli Henwood – 9 events

28. Kiiahla Duff – 8 events

65. Sariah Paki – 39 events

Australia Men's Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS Vancouver:

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 63 events

2. Ben Dowling – 24 events

4. Dietrich Roache – 31 events

7. Josh Turner – 41 events

10. Ben Dalton – 13 events

11. Maurice Longbottom – 49 events

13. Jayden Blake – 10 events

14. James Turner – 22 events

23. Aden Ekanayake – 11 events

24. Ethan McFarland – 4 events

33. Harry Wilson – 4 events

49. Archie Saunders* – debut

77. Wallace Charlie – 5 events

*Denotes possible debut

HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES VANCOUVER SCHEDULE

AUSTRALIA MEN

  • Sunday March 8: Australia 17 def Argentina 15 (5:57am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 8: Australia 19 def France 7 (9:45am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 8: Australia 14 def by Fiji 35 (1:56pm AEDT)

FINALS

  • Monday March 9: Australia 12 def by South Africa 19 (6:33 am AEDT) - SEMI FINAL
  • Monday March 9: Australia v Fiji (10:20 am AEDT) - BRONZE MEDAL

AUSTRALIA WOMEN

  • Sunday March 8: Australia 38 def Fiji 24 (8:31am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 8: Australia 26 def Canada 12 (12:19pm AEDT)
  • Sunday March 8: Australia 22 def USA 7 (4:08pm AEDT)

FINALS

  • Monday March 9: Australia 14 def France 5 (7:39 am AEDT) - SEMI FINAL
  • Monday March 9: Australia v New Zealand (12:08 pm AEDT) - FINAL

Share
Photo Credit: Alex Ho
USA call on crowd support to open HSBC NYC SVNS with Canada rematch
Wallaroos star Smith re-commits to Force for 2026 season
Queensland Rugby Union posts seventh consecutive operating profit
Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Team of the Week: Looking at the best Australian performers from Round Four