Australia Sevens reacts to Spanish success after tandem titles in Valladolid

Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 2:58 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Australia Sevens sides congratulating each other after their titles in Spain. Photo: World Rugby
Australia Sevens sides congratulating each other after their titles in Spain. Photo: World Rugby

The Australian Sevens sides have shared in the success after taking out both events at the second leg of the World Championship in Valladolid.

It was a glorious hour in the north-west of Spain as the Women started the gold rush with a 27-14 win over the USA after defeating New Zealand in the semi-finals earlier in the day.

Watch every second of the 2026 SVNS World Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

This was backed up by a gutsy performance by the Men to defeat top-ranked South Africa, holding on down a man for the 26-19 victory after a denied try to the Blitzboks on the siren.

It's the first time the two teams have swept an event since Sydney in 2018 and the first time the Men have won since Hong Kong in 2022, going through the tournament undefeated.

"That’s got to be up there with one of the toughest games I’ve played," skipper Henry Hutchison said, named Player of the Final.

"South Africa have made it to so many finals for a reason but we had a lot of confidence going into this game that if we stuck to what we were good at we’d be a hard team to stop.

"I feel like the group is in a really good place. We know we’re not consistently the best in the world but we’re knocking on the door.

"There’s been a huge amount of growth from last season to this season."

Women's coach Tim Walsh was proud of the fight his side showed after an earlier loss to the Americans left them facing their arch-rivals in the semi-finals.

They proved victorious without Player of the Year Maddison Levi (knee), while influential playmaker Tia Hinds (calf) missed the decider.

"Winning always makes it more special but we’ve had a really good season," Walsh said. "It’s been part of the plan to win when it matters. I’m really proud of the belief without Maddi Levi and Tia Hinds that they can go out and perform really well.

"It bodes well for the future and great for the program to get a result."

Co-captain Bella Nasser led from the front alongside Madison Ashby and Player of the Final Heidi Dennis, with the win puts Australia in the box seat for the World Championship as they take a two-point advantage into the final leg in Bordeaux.

“I’m just really proud and happy with that result. We reviewed and took some accountability from yesterday’s result against the USA," Nasser said. “We’ve got an awesome group and love each other so much. Being able to get around each other and reset, then put on a performance is amazing."

Share
Wallaroos forward Tabua Tuinakauvadra will join Leicester at the end of the 2026 international season. Photo: Getty Images
Wallaroos players to align with PWR clubs in 2026
Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Team of the Week: Looking at the best Australian performers from Round 16
Waratahs, Wallabies scrumhalf Jake Gordon out for rest of 2026 after confirmed Achilles injury
Injury update: Jake Gordon