The Perth HSBC SVNS Rugby Sevens Tournament has once again proven to be thrilling, with Australia's men's and women's teams both making headway to the semi-finals, showcasing their prowess on home soil.
Starting with the women's team, the Australians dominated their quarter-final against Japan, winning decisively 35-0. With impressive performances throughout the tournament, they now face off against Canada, another strong contender, for a place in the final. Maddison Levi, the current World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, has been instrumental, registering multiple tries including two during the quarter-final. "Awesome result for the girls to make the semi's. We knew Japan were going to be tough but we were able to hold the ball and put some points on," Levi stated following the match.
Meanwhile, the Australian men's team triumphed over Olympic champions France 24-12, marking a stunning turnaround after struggling initially during the group stages. Their road to the quarter-finals was anything but straightforward; they secured their place by defeating the United States 19-12, just managing to edge through after two prior losses. Following the victory over France, Maurice Longbottom expressed, "It's crazy, especially after yesterday's close games coming up short. We knew we weren't far away; we just had to dig a little bit deep and fine-tune a few things to get ready for the semis.”
The final day of the tournament promises to be exhilarating, with both teams contending for championship titles. The men's semi-final will see Australia face South Africa, which leads the field after defeating Fiji solidly, 19-0. The women’s clash between Australia and Canada is especially charged, considering the rivalry sparked from the Olympic semi-finals of the previous year when Canada triumphed.
This year, both Australian teams entered the tournament with hopes of not only reaching the finals but securing gold at home after finishing second the previous year. The women's final is slated to close out the event for the first time in World Series history, showcasing the evolution and rising prominence of women's rugby on the international stage.
Fans at HBF Park can expect intense competition and passionate displays of skill and teamwork from both squads. With a strong local crowd anticipated, it’s sure to be a momentous occasion as players draw energy from the home support.
Current standings see New Zealand’s women poised against France after their emphatic quarter-final victories, with New Zealand expected to continue their strong performance. For the men, Argentina and Spain will square off on the other side of the draw, intensifying the quest for supremacy.
While the fate of the last two matches remains to be written, the atmosphere leading up to these fixtures is electric, and Australia’s teams are determined to capitalize on their home advantage. This marks the culmination of the hard-fought journeys both sides have faced, with lasting aspirations for victory igniting the spirit of their fans.
With the men's final scheduled at 7:35 PM and the women's final at 8:11 PM, the stakes are high, and the hopes of Australian supporters rest firmly on the shoulders of their beloved teams. The excitement builds as the final whistle approaches, promising to deliver moments of glory, pride, and perhaps new legends for Australia's rugby history.