RECAP: Women produce epic comeback to take bronze, Men finish fourth in Hong Kong

Sun, Apr 7, 2024, 9:12 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The SVNS World Series heads to Hong Kong as the Australian teams continue the build towards the Final and the Olympics.

The series-leading Women's side defeated France in the bronze medal match with a try to Maddison Levi after the siren.

Watch every round of the HSBC SVNS Series exclusive, ad-free and live on Stan Sport. 

Tim Walsh has named Bridget Clark and Ruby Nicholas to debut, with the Australians going through the pool stages unbeaten before losing to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

For the Men, they went down to Ireland in the bronze medal match after they were defeated by the Kiwis in the semis

They defeated Canada and Fiji in the group stages, however, finished second behind France in their group after an after-the-siren defeat.

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:
Australia Women 19 v Fiji Women 12

Australia have survived a wild game to take a 19-12 win over Fiji

The Fijians stunned Australia early as former Red Helenia Young scored in the first 30 seconds, followed over by captain Raijieli Daveua.

Faith Nathan answered for the Aussies with a great solo try to reduce the margin to five at the break.

Sharni Smale levelled the scores, combining with fellow Sevens legend Charlotte Caslick.

However, the Australians' struggle with discipline continued when Madison Ashby was red-carded for a high shot. A yellow card to Bese put both teams down to six and Maddison Levi took advantage to put Australia in front.

Tim Walsh's side held tough down a player for the final 90 seconds to secure the win.

Australia Women 35 v Ireland Women 0

Australia have recorded a 35-0 win over Ireland to finish their campaign.

Maddison Levi opened the scoring with her 40th try on the world series as she sprinted away, followed over by sister Teagan for a quick 14-0 lead.

Bienne Terita crossed just before the break on her return from an ankle injury to give the Aussies a 21-0 lead at the break.

Maddi Levi's second put the game out of reach as they took the chance to rotate their squad in the final minutes.

It presented the opportunity for debutant Ruby Nicholas to score on debut as they kept Ireland scoreless

Australia Men 12 v Fiji Men 0

Australia have started their campaign with a 12-0 win over Fiji

The Aussies fought hard in defence to dislodge Fiji right on their line, allowing James Turner to open the scoring after five minutes.

It was the lone points of the half as the Australians' defence stood strong.

It forced the mistake to start the second half, with Henry Hutchison extending the lead shortly afterwards.

Michael Hooper came on with two minutes to go and made an impact with a turnover as the Aussies closed out the win

Australia Men 14 v France Men 19

Australia have gone down 19-14 to France to finish day one in Hong Kong

Australia got off to a flyer when Dietrich Roache took on the line and sprinted past his defender for the opener.

Paulin Riva answered back for France despite some great defence from Maurice Longbottom, who extended Australia's lead with a nice kick and re-gather to 14-5.

Australia looked set to close out the win before France scored twice in the final 90 seconds, including an after-the-siren try to Nelson Epee to steal victory

Australia Women 28 v South Africa Women 0

Australia have cruised into the quarter-finals with a 28-0 win over South Africa.

Maddison Levi got the Aussies with a trademark run away try that started from the lineout.

Faith Nathan added to the lead at the break as the Australians slowly built into the game after early errors.

Levi and Nathan crossed for their second tries of the game to put the lead well out of reach.

Australia Men 31 v Canada Men 0

Australia are into the quarter-finals with a 31-0 win over Canada.

The Australians muscled their way to an unconventional opener when some great defence and countering from Michael Icely pushed Canada into their in-goal, with Nick Malouf there to place the ball down.

Icely then scored himself a minute later, before Dietrich Roache sliced through for a 19-0 lead as the conditions deteriorated.

Nathan Lawson barged over the line thanks to a rare rolling maul try from the five-metre lineout, with Henry Paterson sealing the win with a minute to go.

Australia Women 12 v Japan Women 0

Australia have fought hard for a 12-0 lead over a spirited Japan

It was a tense first half as the Japanese fought hard in defence, eventually broken by a classy run by Tia Hinds, with her five pointer the only points of the half.

They constantly struggled to get through Japan, with their task made even harder by a yellow card to Sariah Paki.

However, the interjection of Teagan Levi by coach Tim Walsh was a master stroke as she raced away to secure the win

Australia Men 15 v South Africa Men 0

Australia have delivered a defensive masterclass to take a 15-0 win over South Africa and advance to the semi-finals.

It was clinical from the Australians early after Maurice Longbottom turned defence into attack, leading to the opening try to Nathan Lawson.

Both teams struggled with handling in the opening half as John Manenti’s side scrambled to take a 5-0 lead into the break.

The relenting pressure from the Aussies eventually sparked their second try, earning the turnover as Maurice Longbottom strolled over for the easiest of tries.

A long-range penalty from Longbottom from 40 metres out pushed the lead beyond two converted tries to seal the win.

Australia Women 14 v New Zealand Women 28

New Zealand have defeated Australia 28-14 in the semi-finals

The Aussies controlled possession in the opening minutes and eventually found the opener when a great shot from Maddison Levi dislodged the ball, allowing the speedster to race away.

The Kiwis answered back through superstar Michaela Blyde before both captains Charlotte Caslick and Risi Pouri-Lane scored to level the contest tied at 14-all heading into the break.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe put New Zealand in front to start the second half as the Australians failed to find a way through their defence in the final moments, with Jorja Miller sealing the win as the siren sounded.

Australia Men 26 v New Zealand Men 7

Australia have gone down to NZ 26-7 in the semi-finals.

Dylan Collier snuck down the sidelines for the opening try for the Kiwis.

Maurice Longbottom fought his way over to put Australia in front, with some great defence from James Turner preventing a NZ try.

Tepaea Cook-Savage put the All Blacks Sevens in front at the break before Cody Vai and Tone Ng Shiu extended the lead to seal the win.

Australia Women 24 v France Women 21

Australia have produced an unbelievable 24-21 win over France to take third in Hong Kong.

The Australians looked out on their feet as the French side raced out to a 21-7 lead with five minutes to go.

It took debutant Bridget Clark’s debut try to spark some life into the Australians.

Maddison Levi produced a brutal fend to reduce the margin to two, before Faith Nathan raced away thanks to some great hands from Clark.

Nathan then found Caslick, who hit Levi for her second and the winner.

Australia Men 5 v Ireland Men 14

Australia have finished fourth after a 14-5 defeat to Ireland.

After a tense start, Hugo Lennox opened the scoring for Ireland after latching onto a looping ball, getting his second after a chip and chase.

It gave them a 14-0 lead heading into the break as the Australians’ handling let them down.

This allowed Ireland to control the territory in the second half and wind the time down.

Henry Palmer scored a great consolation try at the siren when he collected his chip and chase but it was too little, too late as Ireland take third.

Australia Women’s Sevens team for Hong Kong SVNS:

2. Sharni Smale

3. Faith Nathan

5. Teagan Levi

6. Madison Ashby

7. Charlotte Caslick

8. Kaitlin Shave

9. Tia Hinds

10. Bella Nasser

12. Maddison Levi

14. Bridget Clark

22. Bienne Terita

23. Ruby Nicholas

65. Sariah Paki

Australia Men’s Sevens team for Hong Kong SVNS:

1. Henry Hutchison

2. Ben Dowling

3. Henry Palmer

4. Dietrich Roache

6. Henry Paterson

9. Matt Gonzalez

10. Nick Malouf

11. Maurice Longbottom

12. Nathan Lawson

14. James Turner

25. Hayden Sargeant

77. Michael Hooper

87. Michael Icely

Australian Sevens Hong Kong 2024 Schedule

*All times AEDT/AEST

Women

Friday, April 5

Australia 19 def Fiji 12 - 3:25 pm

Australia 35 def Ireland 0 - 6:35 pm

Saturday, April 6

Australia 28 def South Africa 0 - 2:25 pm

Australia 12 def Japan 0 - 7:43 pm - QUARTER FINAL

Sunday, April 7

Australia 14 def by New Zealand 28 - 3:17 pm - SEMI FINAL

Australia 24 def France 21 - 7:10 pm - BRONZE MEDAL MATCH

Men

Friday, April 5

Australia 12 def Fiji 0 - 8:30 pm

Australia 14 def France 19 - 11:56 pm

Saturday, April 6

Australia 31 def Canada 0 - 4:20 pm

Australia 15 def South Africa 0 - 9:01 pm - QUARTER FINAL

Sunday, April 7

Australia 26 def New Zealand 7 - 4:06 pm - SEMI FINAL

Australia 5 def by Ireland 14 - 7:40 - BRONZE MEDAL MATCH

How to watch Michael Hooper's Sevens debut and Hong Kong Sevens

Wallabies legend Michael Hooper will make his Sevens debut in Hong Kong, with all games live on Stan Sport.

Hooper and the Australians will feature in the semi-finals on April 7 (4:06 pm) against New Zealand.

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