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SVNS Series phenomenon Maddison Levi opens up on 'new challenge’ in 15s
By Finn Morton
Before last week’s HSBC SVNS Series event in Perth, Australia’s try-scoring machine Maddison Levi revealed that she’ll be an “outside back or fullback” in 15s. Levi joins a star-studded cast of sevens stars who are making the move to 15s in a bid to play at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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Rugby Australia announced in December that nine members of the world-famous sevens side had committed to Super Rugby Women’s clubs in a bid to play for the Wallaroos at the highly anticipated World Cup in England from August 22 to September 27.
Levi headlines an impressive group that has joined the Queensland Reds. Sister Teagan Levi, three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick, sevens captain Isabella Nasser, and recent SVNS debutant Khali Henwood have also linked with the Brisbane-based outfit.
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Sariah Paki is the sole member of the sevens side who has signed with defending champions the NSW Waratahs, while the trio of Demi Hayes, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds are aiming to play for the ACT Brumbies during the upcoming Super Rugby season.
In an exclusive interview with RugbyPass, Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard highlighted Teagan Levi as a player to watch in Super Rugby Women’s, but it goes without saying that Maddison has X-factor potential for both club and country in 15s.
“Rugby Australia is doing a great job, sevens and 15s are kind of working hand in hand,” Levi said on RugbyPass TV’s HSBC Life on Tour Perth.
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“Still got a lot to learn a little bit but I’m sure once we get out there it’s like the basics of sevens, just try and find space and get to the line as quick as you can.
“It’s cool to see how many girls are keen to transition and obviously grow the game of 15s. I think it’s growing at such a fast pace and so we can help grow it in Australia, I think that’d be pretty cool and transition what we know in a full-time sport being sevens.
“Hopefully we can help bring in some things that we’ve learned along the journey to better that 15s
“… Now that I’ve kind of settled into sevens, being a dual international is something not to shy away from,” she added. “I think that’d be pretty cool.
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“The World Cup, these big milestone tournaments are something every athlete dreams of… it’s exciting to try and pursue something and get a new challenge.”
Levi is World Rugby’s reigning Sevens Player of the Year and the try-scoring phenomenon has lived up to the expectation and hype that comes with that status. The Aussie started the season with a record-breaking 15-try haul across three days at the Dubai Sevens in December.
After backing up that performance with another standout weekend at SVNS Cape Town, Levi continued to score tries for fun at Perth’s HBF Park before suffering an unfortunate thumb injury during Australia’s quarter-final triumph on home soil.
It was a massive loss for Tim Walsh’s side, who were also missing speedster Faith Nathan on day three, but the women in gold rallied as they charged towards a drought-breaking title in front of their home fans with a two-point win over New Zealand in the big dance.
“I think it’s one of the best ones yet, I’m just so proud of the girls,” Charlotte Caslick said on the broadcast after the final.
“Some of those girls haven’t played a lot of rugby on the World Series up until this tournament.
“To see what they could put out there and the way they performed was something that I’m really proud to be a part of and I’m just so excited to be moving forward with them.”
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