Singapore a tournament of first for Aussies with SVNS League Winners title up for grabs

Wed, May 1, 2024, 11:36 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Teagan Levi hits the jets to secure a semi-final spot at SVNS Hong Kong 2024

Stand-in captain Madison Ashby is confident their first trip to Singapore can be marked with success as they hunt for the League Winners title.

The Australians and New Zealanders are locked on points heading into the final round of the regular season, which will crown the regular season champions before Madrid's Grand Final in June.

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On top of this, it will be the first time the women will play in Singapore as part of the expanded calendar.

Ashby will lead the side without Charlotte Caslick and Sharni Smale, staying in Australia with less than 100 days until the Paris Olympics.

"It’s exciting to have the women’s competition here for the first time," Ashby said

"We’ve heard a lot of great things about coming here so we can’t wait to get out in front of the crowd and experience the unreal atmosphere.

“It’s exciting to play for the League Winners title but we will just take it game by game and hopefully come out with the win at the end of the Series.”

Australia will open their campaign against Brazil (2:50 pm) before facing Great Britain (8:05 pm) and Fiji (May 4, 2:50 pm).

As for the Men, they will battle for position ahead of the Grand Final, qualifying for Madrid after a strong performance in Hong Kong.

Australia sit in sixth on 69 points, with just seven points separating John Manenti's side and third-place Fiji.

Argentina’s men hold an eight point advantage over Ireland for the men's title, with Los Pumas drawing the Aussies to begin their tournament on May 3 (4:42 pm).

“We are very happy to be in first position but we are trying not to think about that and just trying to be better as we are coming from two tournaments where we couldn’t play our game so we’re thinking how we can do better in Singapore," Argentina men’s captain Santiago Alvarez said:

“I’ve played several times here in Singapore, it’s a nice, closed stadium with a good atmosphere so we are looking forward to playing there this weekend. It is our objective to win the title but we are taking it match by match. It would be the best season in Los Pumas Sevens history.”

Australia will finish their pool stages against Canada (10:14 pm) and New Zealand (May 4, 5:12 pm.)

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