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‘Bunch of psychos’: Aussie weighs in on possible nickname for sevens ‘sisterhood’
By
Finn Morton
The Matildas, Jillaroos and Australian Diamonds are all iconic names that represent the rapidly growing popularity of women’s sports in the Land Down Under. They’re icons of Aussie sport.
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But the Australian women’s sevens team are an anomaly of sorts. Just like their countrymen in the same sport, they are not known by anything beyond that drawn-out phrase.
The opportunity to play for Australia is a lifelong dream for all athletes who call this country home, and that should by no means be omitted. But there’s merit in a nickname.
Whether it’s to promote a sense of popularity, possibly patriotism or familiarity, these names allow all supporters to identify with something more than just ‘Australia’.
Arch-rivals New Zealand are known as the Black Ferns Sevens – an expansion of the Black Ferns moniker for the 15s side – so the Aussie could rightly go by the Wallaroos Sevens.
As the team that sits atop the women’s SVNS Series standings, and with their 2016 Olympic triumph still inspiring young girls today, a team name could propel this team to the top of Australian sporting fandom along with the Matildas and the Australian cricket team.
Australian sevens star Madison Ashby, who was once identified as a 13-year-old hopeful for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, has weighed in on the debate with a couple of ideas.
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“Psychos, nah,” Ashby told RugbyPass while laughing. “We are a bunch of psychos but I’m not sure yet, that’s a team discussion, we’re a sisterhood.
“If we want to be known by anything it’s family. We’re very family-orientated.
“We just celebrated my birthday on Tuesday and cause my family couldn’t make it, my team made me feel very homey – surprised me with dinner, lots of presents.
“Definitely family.”
If you were there at Perth’s HBF Park last weekend, you know how much this team means to rugby fans in Australia. The crowd was loud, crowd and passionate as they cheered on the golden girls.
Australia reached their third final in as many tournaments this season after recovering from a shock pool stage defeat to Great Britain.
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Rising star Teagan Levi was sent off during that match, and older sister Maddison also saw red less than 24 hours later in the thrilling quarter-final win over New Zealand.
But after making the final, the Aussies fell short of expectations after falling to the fighting Irish 19-14. But still, the women in gold still sit atop of the overall series standings after winning Cup finals in Dubai and Cape Town in December.
“Losing at home always hurts,” captain Charlotte Caslick told reporters on Sunday evening.
“I think the emotional toll and the lack of discipline really let us down. Regardless of the result, we know we have a lot to work on.”
The Australian women’s sevens side will look to bounce back when they take the field at SVNS Vancouver in February.
SVNS Vancouver gets underway on February 23 to 25. Those interested in watching some of the world’s best rugby while enjoying the best party in town can get tickets HERE.
