GAME BY GAME: Women fall to Black Ferns in Singapore Final, Men rebound after tough day one

Sun, Feb 1, 2026, 10:55 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Australia Sevens teams kick off action for 2026 in Singapore. Photo: World Rugby
The Australia Sevens teams kick off action for 2026 in Singapore. Photo: World Rugby

GAME BY GAME: The Australian Sevens teams have had an eventful tournament in Singapore.

The Women entered as the top ranked team after their title win in Cape Town to finish last year.

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

They eased past Canada in the semi-finals, however, were unable to stop a red-hot New Zealand.

As for the Men, they welcomed a new face in the form of Australia U20s flyer Cooper Watters.

They finished fifth after an unbeaten day two, defeating Great Britain and Spain.


Follow a recap of all the action, game by game, below
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1
10:05 pm: Australia Women 7 v New Zealand Women 36 (FINAL)

New Zealand have made it three straight titles in Singapore with a comprehensive victory over Australia.

The Kiwis were on fire from the opening whistle as Jazmin Felix-Hotham crossed for the opener.

The playmaker would cross for a double, joined in kind by Jorja Miller, who was unstoppable in the middle.

Bienne Terita got the Aussies on the board late but it was not match for the firepower of the Black Ferns.

7:40 pm: Australia Men 26 v Spain Men 12 (FIFTH PLACE FINAL)

Australia have finished fifth after a strong 26-12 win over Spain.

Spain scored within 15 seconds, but a quick response from Dietrich Roache levelled the scores. It would be Roache's last involvement, however, due to a hamstring issue.

The Aussies rallied and extended the margin thanks to tries to Aden Ekanayake and Henry Hutchison.

Spain tried to rally late, but Will Cartwright's long-range try sealed the win.

5:05 pm: Australia Women 35 v Canada Women 10 (SEMI FINAL)

Australia have eased into the Final with a 35-10 win over Canada.

Maddison Levi continued her dominance over the competition with a hat-trick as they were in cruise control throughout.

Levi opened the scoring before Heidi Dennis responded to Canada's lone try of the half.

The all-time Australian leading try scorer completed the hat-trick in the second half, joined in on the fun by sister Teagan.

4:06 pm: Australia Men 26 v Great Britain Men 19 (FIFTH PLACE SEMI FINAL)

Henry Hutchison has scored after the siren to put Australia into the fifth place Final over Great Britain.

Hutchison, who became the most capped Aussie on the World Series with 62 tournaments, darted down the short side and raced 50 metres for the try.

The Australians had built an early 12-0 lead thanks to tries to Will Cartwright and Dietrich Roache.

The GBs responded initially to tie the scores, with Josh Turner responding before a late try to the Brits looked to have sent the game into extra-time before Hutchison's heroics.


SATURDAY JANUARY 31
9:40 pm: Australia Men 10 v New Zealand Men 29

Australia's comeback has fallen short, going down 29-10 to New Zealand.

Rob Rush scored a double for the Kiwis as they put on four straight tries either side of the break.

Aden Ekanayake and Jayden Blake provided faint hope for a comeback.

However, a disallowed try to Ben Dowling sculped their hopes, missing the semi-finals as the Kiwis celebrated the win with a try after the siren.

9:18 pm: Australia Women 26 v USA Women 19

Maya Stewart has continued her dream debut tournament, scoring the winner as Australia downed the USA 26-19.

Maddison Levi was the story early on as she blitzed the Americans for a hat-trick.

However, the USA rallied and levelled the scores after a penalty try against Kaitlin Shave for a high tackle.

Down a player, up stepped Stewart off the bench, burning her defender and racing 80 metres to be the hero.

6:18 pm: Australia Men 7 v France Men 31

France have outclassed Australia for a 31-7 win.

Australia got off to a flyer thanks to a try to Aden Ekanayake but from here it was all France.

Jordan Sepho crossed for a try either side of half-time, with a yellow card to Will Cartwright adding to the pain.

The French sealed the victory shortly afterwards, leaving the Aussies needing to defeat New Zealand later in the day to advance to the semi finals

5:56 pm: Australia Women 26 v Japan Women 19

Australia have held off a surging Japan to take down Japan 26-19.

Debutant Maya Stewart was the story of the first half, scoring twice with her first two touches.

Maddison Levi and Heidi Dennis added to the scoreline as they built a commanding lead.

Japan would score twice but it was too little, too late, as the Aussies stay unbeaten.

3:10 pm: Australia Men 19 v Argentina Men 14

Australia has survived a massive late scare to hold on for a 19-14 win over Argentina.

The Aussies got off to a flyer as they put on 19 straight points, starting when a thumping hit from Henry Hutchison set up Aden Ekanayake.

But Argentina hit straight back with back-to-back tries, forcing some desperate goal-line defence.

Harry Wilson came up with the turnover with 45 seconds to go, with Liam Barry's side dealing with some last play chaos that nearly gave Los Pumas a chance to win the game after the siren.

2:26 pm: Australia Women 35 v Fiji Women 7

Australia have picked up where they left off from Cape Town with a 35-7 win over Fiji.

The Levi sisters celebrated their recent re-signing with first half tries, both scoring off quick taps.

Madison Ashby extended the lead before the break and while Fiji got on the board before half-time, Kaitlin Shave was quick to restore the advantage.

Faith Nathan sealed the win with a minute to go, ensuring a near-perfect start to Singapore.

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

3. Faith Nathan – 34 events

5. Teagan Levi – 27 events

6. Madison Ashby (c) – 27 events

8. Kaitlin Shave – 9 events

9. Tia Hinds – 21 events

10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 19 events

12. Maddison Levi – 28 events

13. Heidi Dennis – 8 events

21. Maya Stewart* - debut

22. Bienne Terita – 18 events

23. Ruby Nicholas – 12 events

65. Sariah Paki – 36 events

98. Sidney Taylor – 4 events

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

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 61 events

2. Ben Dowling – 22 events

3. James McGregor – 4 events

4. Dietrich Roache – 30 events

7. Josh Turner – 39 events

9. Will Cartwright – 2 events

10. Ben Dalton – 11 events

13. Jayden Blake – 8 events

21. Cooper Watters* – debut

23. Aden Ekanayake – 9 events

24. Ethan McFarland – 2 events

33. Harry Wilson – 2 events

77. Wallace Charlie – 3 events

*Denotes possible debut

HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES SINGAPORE FIXTURES

AUSTRALIA WOMEN

  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 35 def Fiji 7 (2:26pm AEDT)
  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 26 def Japan 19 (5:52pm AEDT)
  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 26 def USA 19 (9:18pm AEDT)

FINALS

  • Sunday, February 1: Australia 35 def Canada 10 (5:08 pm AEDT) - CUP SEMI FINAL
  • Sunday, Feburary 1: Australia v New Zealand (10:05 pm AEDT) - FINAL

AUSTRALIA MEN

  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 19 def Argentina 14 (3:10pm AEDT)
  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 7 def by France 31 (6:14pm AEDT)
  • Saturday, January 31: Australia 10 def by New Zealand 29 (9:40pm AEDT)

FIFTH PLACE PLAY-OFFS

  • Sunday, Feburary 1: Australia 26 def Great Britain 19 (4:06 pm AEDT) - SEMI FINALS
  • Sunday, Feburary 1: Australia 26 def Spain 12 (7:42 pm AEDT) - FINAL

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