GAME BY GAME: Australia Sevens Women claim Dubai title, Men finish seventh

Sun, Dec 3, 2023, 3:23 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Australians and South Africans with their respective titles. Photo: World Rugby
The Australians and South Africans with their respective titles. Photo: World Rugby

The new look HSBC SVNS World Series got underway in Dubai as the Australian sides start their build to the Paris Olympics.

The Women's side defended their Dubai title with a thrilling win over New Zealand in the Final.

Watch every round of the HSBC SVNS Series exclusive, ad-free and live on Stan Sport. 

It is their fourth straight title in Dubai, booking their place in the decider with a wild win over France.

As for the Men, debutant Henry Palmer was a bright spot in their inconsistent Dubai campaign.

They scraped into the quarter-finals before going down to eventual champions South Africa, defeating the USA to finish seventh.

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:
Australia Women 39 def Brazil Women 0

Charlotte Caslick has delivered a masterclass as the Australians took a comfortable  39-0 win over Brazil to start their season.

Caslick had a hand in five tries as the Aussies started their title defence on fire.

Maddison Levi picked up where she left off in 2022-23, scoring twice in three minutes as the Aussies dominated the opening half, with Caslick finding Faith Nathan in the corner for a 15-0 lead at the break.

A well-worked lineout move put Caslick in for a try of her own, there to capitalise on a great crash ball line from Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea. The two-time World Player of the Year combined with replacement Bienne Terita to put Madison Ashby into space for a long-range try before darting over close for her second.

Debutant Kaitlin Shave capped off the near-perfect game with her maiden try to seal the convincing win.

Australia Men 12 def by Ireland Men 19

Australia has gone down to Ireland 19-12 to open their Dubai campaign

Matt Gonzalez showed some great handling to collect a James Turner offload, racing away for the opener. However, the Irish dominated the rest of the half as superstar duo Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy helped Ireland to a 19-7 half-time lead.

Debutant Henry Palmer got the Aussies back into the contest, racing down the sidelines to reduce the margin.

In the end, Ireland got the key turnover with a minute to go as they held on for the win, with John Manenti's side claiming a losing bonus point

Australia Women 66 def Japan Women 0

Australia has delivered a major statement with a 66-0 win over Japan, their largest-ever World Series win.

Maddison Levi again opened the scoring inside the first minute, once again combining with Charlotte Caslick before going herself for a second try in three minutes.

Isabella Nasser crossed shortly afterwards for her debut try, set up by a thumping hit by Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.

Faith Nathan crossed for a quick double for a 33-0 lead at the break. Caslick continued the onslaught after the break for her third try of the event before Levi completed the hat-trick.

Bienne Terita brought up the half-century as the Aussies tormented the Japanese on the restart, followed by Demi Hayes.

Dom du Toit scored on the siren to record the largest-ever win on the World Series, beating the 61-0 record set by USA v China in 2014 

Australia Men 14 def by Argentina Men 31

Argentina have continued Australia's struggles in Dubai with a 31-14 win.

Argentina started fast, scoring two quick tries through Luciano Gonzalez and Santiago Alvarez.

The Aussies struggled to deal with Argentina’s pressure as Marcos Moneta extended the lead with a double as they took a 26-0 lead into the break.

Dietrich Roache settled the Australians after the break, getting them on the board with a long range try. Following this, Hayden Sargeant capitalised on a loose pass to give the Aussies a slim hope of a famous comeback.

In the end, Moneta’s third sealed the win and leaves Australia needing a win against Spain and results to go their way to sneak into the quarter-finals

Australia Women 33 def Ireland Women 5

Australia have secured top spot in Pool B with a 33-5 win over Ireland.

In a first half dominated by defence, the Australians withheld everything Ireland threw at them with some physical efforts before Maddison Levi once again continued her first-try scoring record.

Ireland nearly scored off the kickoff, only stopped by a great cover tackle from Charlotte Caslick. The Levis combined after a Sariah Paki break to give Australia a 14-0 half-time lead.

Caslick added her fourth try of the event after the break, collecting the offload from Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.

Faith Nathan continued her strong tournament with another double as the Aussies finish the day perfectly  

Australia Men 25 def Spain Men 7

Australia has advanced to the quarter-finals with a 25-7 win over Spain.

Ben Dowling showed some great pace to get away from the Spanish defence for the opening try inside the first minute.

Dietrich Roache then drew in the defence and absorbed a major shot to put Henry Palmer in for his second try of the weekend for a 10-0 lead at the break.

Nathan Lawson finished off a great team try to extend the advantage, with captain Nick Malouf reaping the reward of a great inside line.

Hayden Sargeant raced away to secure the win, with the Australians advancing to the quarter-finals as one of the two highest-ranked third-place sides

Australia Women 32 def USA Women 5

Australia are into the semi finals after a 32-5 win over the USA.

Charlotte Caslick continued her dream tournament, catching the USA napping to put Madison Ashby through for the opener.

Speedsters Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan added two quick tries as the Aussies raced out to an early lead.

Nathan’s second right before the break gave Tim Walsh’s side a 22-0 lead at the break.

Caslick’s try after the break put the game out of reach as Levi’s second booked their spot in the semis 

Australia Men 7 def by South Africa Men 24

South Africa have ended Australia’s hopes with a 24-7 win.

Quewin Nortje opened the scores for the Blitzboks as they raced out to a 12-0 lead

The Aussies refused to drop their heads and eventually their pressure forced a yellow card to Justin Geduld. This opened the space for Nathan Lawson to score well after the halftime siren.

John Manenti’s side continued to press with the numbers advantage, only stopped by some desperate defence.

In the end, it proved the difference as the South Africans scored twice to claim the win.

Australia Women 21 def France Women 14

Australia have survived a wild 21-14 win over France to book their spot in the Final.

The Aussies were forced to constantly defend their line for several minutes, somehow holding France out. The gap eventually came after Alysia Lefau-Fakaoisilea was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, allowing Camille Grassineau in for the opening try.

With next to no possession in French territory, Maddison Levi produced some magic to sprint away from several defenders to level the scores at the break.

It was France’s turn to be reduced to six after the break and Faith Nathan wasted little time to put Australia in front. However, Lefau-Fakaoisilea was then red-carded for a high shot, forcing the Aussies to finish the game down a player.

In a repeat of the first half, it was Maddi magic again as the leading try-scorer raced 90 metres to extend the lead.

Grassineau’s second set up the grandstand finish, with Australia surviving after the restart didn’t go ten.

Australia Men 26 def USA Men 12

Australia has finished Dubai with a confidence boosting 26-12 win over the USA.

The Australians were forced to come from behind after the Americans struck first through Ben Pinkelman.

However, the USA team struggled for dicipline, twice yellow carded in the contest. It opened the space for Nathan Lawson to level the scores, only for Malacchi Esdale to answer right before halftime to give the USA the seven point lead.

Needing a spark, the Australians and Dietrich Roache capitalised on some tired defenders to tie it up.

Esdale was yellow carded for a deliberate knockdown in the process of Roache’s try, with the Australians taking the opportunity to run away with the game as Maurice Longbottom and Lawson sealed the win.

Australia Women 26 def New Zealand Women 19

Australia have claimed the Dubai title with a 26-19 win over New Zealand.

Bienne Terita got the Aussies off to the perfect start with a try in the opening 30 seconds before Jorja Miller answered for the Kiwis.

It was one of three for Kiwi teenage sensation as the two teams traded tries throughout the contest.

Teagan Levi stepped up to the moment and scored two crucial tries either side of the break to give the Australians the lead.

When Miller's third levelled the scores, it was Maddi Levi that scored the match winner with 90 seconds to go for an incredible win

Australia Women’s Sevens team for Dubai SVNS:

2. Sharni Smale

3. Faith Nathan

4. Dominique Du Toit

5. Teagan Levi

6. Madison Ashby

7. Charlotte Caslick (C)

8. Kaitlin Shave*

10. Bella Nasser 

11. Demi Hayes

12. Maddison Levi

22. Bienne Terita

55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea

65. Sariah Paki

Australia Men’s Sevens team for Dubai SVNS:

2. Ben Dowling

3. Henry Palmer *

4. Dietrich Roache

5. Tim Clements

7. Josh Turner

8. Dally Bird

9. Matt Gonzalez

10. Nick Malouf (C)

11. Maurice Longbottom

12. Nathan Lawson

13. Ben Dalton *

14. James Turner

25. Hayden Sargeant

*Denotes potential debut

Australian Sevens Dubai 2023 Schedule

*All times AEDT

Women

Saturday, December 2

Australia Women 39 def Brazil Women 0, 4:22 pm 

Australia Women 66 def Japan Women 0, 7:21 pm

Australia Women 33 def Ireland Women 5, 11:51 pm

Sunday, December 3

Australia Women 32 def USA Women 5, 5:36 pm - QUARTER FINAL

Australia Women 21 def France Women 14, 8:42 pm - SEMI FINAL

Monday, December 4

Australia Women v New Zealand Women, 2:13 am - FINAL

Men

Saturday, December 2

Australia Men 12 def by Ireland Men 19, 5:28 pm

Australia Men 14 def by Argentina Men 31, 9:36 pm

Sunday, December 3

Australia Men 25 def Spain Men 7, 2:16 am

Australia Men 7 def by South Africa Men 24, 5:58 pm - QUARTER FINAL

Australia Men 26 def USA Men 12, 10:32 pm - SEVENTH PLACE PLAYOFF

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