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SVNS Series star on players’ ‘interest’ in pursuing Rugby World Cup move

Players of Australia celebrate victory after the final match between Australia and New Zealand on day two of the HSBC SVNS at The Sevens Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)

Australia captain Isabella Nasser has expressed excitement about the possibility of players from the HSBC SVNS Series switching to 15s ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The showpiece event in women’s rugby will be held in England from August 22 to September 27 next year.

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USA sevens superstar Ilona Maher, who has more Instagram followers than any other rugby player with 4.6 million, signed with Bristol Bears in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby as the social media phenomenon sets her sights on the upcoming World Cup.

That signing announcement has already sparked significant interest in PWR, with earlier reports indicating the Bears may move from Shaftesbury Park to Ashton Gate for Maher’s potential debut against Gloucester-Hartpury which could be rescheduled for January 5.

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Maher isn’t the only SVNS Series product who has at least expressed an interest in switching sports ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Former Australia captain Charlotte Caslick spoke with RugbyPass and rugby.com.au in October about the potential switch to Super Rugby Women’s.

At the last Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Stacey Waaka, Sarah Hirini, Theresa Setefano and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe all contributed to the Black Ferns’ incredible run to the title. It seems that more SVNS Seres players will look to replicate those heroics in 2025.

“It’s definitely of interest for lots of girls, not only in our team but all over the Series,” Nasser said on RugbyPass TV’s HSBC Life on Tour in Cape Town.

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“To play both games, both platforms at a high level is incredible and it would do so much for the sport. So, 100 per cent of interest.

“Obviously, we have to earn our way there but yeah, definitely of interest.

“… There’s so much talent in sevens that could definitely transfer over to 15s and I think it would be awesome for the game.”

From Nasser’s Australia side, Levi sisters Maddison and Teagan have both previously spoken about their desire to represent the Wallaroos at the World Cup. Both Levi’s are among the world’s best players in women’s sevens, as last weekend’s triumph in Dubai showed.

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Teagan led the way with some bone-crunching stops on the defensive side of the ball and some playmaking brilliance in attack. That paved the way for Maddison to do what she so often does, which as fans around the world know means scoring tries.

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The reigning World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year was a class about during Australia’s run to a fifth consecutive Dubai Sevens crown. Levi scored 15 tries across the two-day event, which is the most by any woman in a single SVNS Series tournament ever.

But as coach Tim Walsh pointed out in an interview during the quarter-final demolition of Olympic silver medallists Canada, it’s the players around Levi that allow the try-scoring machine to shine. It’s players like captain Nasser who lay the foundations.

Nasser never stopped running at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium, with the skipper leading by example in both attack and defence. The Queenslander scored a decisive try in the Cup Final win over New Zealand – a true captain’s knock in a thriller against the team’s big rival.

“I’m super honoured to obviously take up the captaincy role,” Nasser reflected.

“As I said before, Charlotte stepped away and she was always going to be such an important part of our team and world rugby.

“I feel really honoured. I probably haven’t really thought about it properly and looked back to see my journey but I feel really supported by my coaches and my teammates to take up this role.”

Following the Dubai Sevens, the HSBC SVNS Series heads to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium for the second event of the season. The upcoming tournament in the Western Cape will be held this weekend from December 7 to 8.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
Sir Steve Hansen's verdict on Scott Robertson's All Blacks

Yep I reckon it all fell apart losing the first test to Argentina and he put himself under pressure to not drop another one after that. I still don't think he would have been adventurous enough to take advantage of all the talent available.


Proctor could have had extra games against Argentina and Australia.

ALB could have had some more time or even an extra start, which would have allowed Lam to be given the Italy opportunity over him.

If Perofeta is really fit he should have been on the bench playing half (game share) the games of Beauden.

Love could have had more opportunity against Japan with Pero not needing as much game time himself, possibly another Autumn game, even England.

Shaun Stevenson should have been brought into the squad when it back absolutely apparent Reece needed sacking (shouldn't really have got this far).

Plummer, if nothing else, should have got 20/25 minutes to show the team he's actually a smart operator at 10 (now we will never know).

Aumua should have actually been used off the bench so when he was required, he didn't take the first thirty minutes to find the right groove each time.

Darry should have been given the same opportunity off the bench he got starting (was given exactly zero off the bench against SA).

One of the small locks, Barrett or Vaa'i, should have had time switching to 6.

More youth and or Xfactor should have been tried in the loosies.

Razor should have been more versatile with the bench by not just using the players he selected on it, but trying out using more forwards, and creating a versatile back covering everything, like Jordie when ALB got a couple of starts.

More loosies and locks should have been used at different times.

Players outside the squad, with both the group who went to Japan, and the group who stayed on after the XV tour, should have had a chance to earn an AB cap. Some, but not all, options not already mentioned Kirifi, Holland, Ekland (Rictelli), Numia, no one too outrageous.


I've probably missed a few of my own and other peoples 'missed opportunities' may not even appear on my radar, but I'm sure theres other lists just as long and unique as this ones.

38 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Sir Steve Hansen's verdict on Scott Robertson's All Blacks

“They’ve got some very good rugby players; the front row, the props stocks they have got at the moment, I’d have died to have them in 2019...

What is it with coaches (looking at you Razor) not placing the expectation upon themselves to improve players/stock. Hansen should have known for years that his scrummaging focused props weren't the right fit for a team lacking go forward at the peak of International rugby.


Razor simply wants to open the gates so that he has 50+ eligible All Black options to select from and pays no thought of recognition to his team, Jason Ryan in particular, for doubling the forward stocks and adding set piece strength to the more mobile front row options that were available in NZ. It might have come before his realization but he could put effort into making Unia Atonio an AB powerhouse, or a player like Taniela Tupou, both stars at schoolboy rugby, even holding onto players like Charlie. He didn't even have to rely on his coachs to go with size to help move his team around, he could have challenged himself to pick any of the numerous pocket rockets going around, and just deal with a weakened scrum. You chose to rely on Franks and Moody, the two he is obviously saying didn't provide the versitility required of props in the changing climit (no slight on them as players). rather than do what other environments have done, Shag.


Are we doing it because they want Richie back or are we doing it because we think it’s right? That’s the question you have to answer.

Isn't that that same question? Just because it is for Mo'unga is irrelevant, you're still thinking about the same consequences. Typical hasbeen former coach trying to make himself look smart and relevant in todays' landscape..

38 Go to comments
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