Women set for centre stage in Perth as Pools confirmed for Australian event

Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 2:31 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

For the first time in history, the Women's Grand Final is set to close out the event at the Perth SVNS from January 24-26.

It gives the Australian side a perfect chance to garner revenge after they were upset by Ireland 12 months ago at HBF Park

Watch every match of the Perth SVNS live and on-demand exclusively via Stan Sport.

The SVNS World Series has traditionally operated with the Men's Final going on last, with the WA event bucking the trend to the delight of injured star Madison Ashby

"It's unreal. it'll be hectic to get prime time for the girls so hopefully I'll be there and I'll be watching but if not, I'll be cheering them on from home," Ashby said to Rugby.com.au.

Tim Walsh's side have been drawn with France in Pool C, the team that denied them the bronze medal at the Cape Town event in December, alongside Spain and China as they look to take out their first home event since 2018.

"We respect every opposition. There's a pretty tasty crossover there with either New Zealand or USA but obviously first job's first, we've got to get through the pool and ideally we top that," coach Walsh said.

"We'll be focusing our energy on those three teams and then looking forward to day two.

"... I think it was obviously heartbreaking (not winning last year) and not playing to our potential was probably the thing that really hurts us. We're not an outcome-based team and we know if we perform to our best that we should be walking away with the right colour medals.

"It was a fantastic tournament and we're really looking forward to getting on that plane, landing in Perth and prepping and putting on a show and really expressing ourselves in the gold jersey.

Series leaders New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with defending Perth champions Ireland, Japan and Brazil whilst USA, Canada, Great Britain and Fiji make up Pool B.

As for the Men, Liam Barry's side will face South Africa, Argentina and the USA in Pool A in his first game in charge.

The Blitzboks are coming off taking out the Cape Town Sevens with victory over Olympic champions France.

As for Argentina, it sets up a rematch of last year's Perth Final where Los Pumas ended the dreams of their Aussies counterparts after a spectacular run to the Final.

"It's a super tight draw. I think you'll find with the men there's no easy game for anyone on the Sevens circuit anymore with only 12 teams," star Henry Paterson said.

"In order to win it, you're going to have to beat all the good teams so whether it's in the quarter, semi, final, or it's going to be in our pool against Argentina and South Africa, you've just got to get those wins.

Series leaders Fiji headline Pool C alongside New Zealand, Kenya and Uruguay, with surprise packets Spain, France, Great Britain and Ireland making up an all-European Pool B.

Perth SVNS Pools

Women's

Pool A: New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, Brazil

Pool B: USA, Canada, Great Britain, Fiji

Pool C: France, Australia, China, Spain

Men's

Pool A: South Africa, Argentina, Australia, USA

Pool B: France, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland

Pool C: Fiji, New Zealand, Kenya, Uruguay

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