'You can't top this sport': Levi's clear statement after cross-code rumours

Wed, Oct 30, 2024, 10:53 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Shawn Mackay Award winner Maddison Levi has made it clear her future remains in Rugby Union, dismissing speculation about a switch.

Levi notched up back-to-back awards as Australia's top Women's Sevens player after a brilliant season that saw her break the world series and Olympic try-scoring records.

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This has naturally seen the former AFLW product emerge on the radars of other codes, with a pair of NRLW clubs linked to her services.

However, Levi has reaffirmed her commitment to the sport as she hunts for an elusive gold medal.

"Right now, I'm obviously signed till 2026. We haven't won a gold medal at the Olympics yet. So I'm definitely not stepping away from this sport," she told reporters.

"I'm definitely open to other doors, obviously, having played AFLW and hopefully NRLW. But yeah, I really want to take home that medal and leave a legacy."

Levi believes the nature of the Sevens circuit is something that the other codes can't match.

"I just think you can't top this sport," she said. "You get to travel day in and day out, just seeing the world from that point of view and actually being able to hop on a plane and just, 'Oh sorry, I'm going to Dubai next week.'

"It's pretty insane that that's my life and I get to do it with my sister and get to experience the world. Some people never leave Australia, but I get to see all these beautiful cultures and play the amazing game that I love.

"It's so fast-paced and just the growth of the sport is getting bigger and better so I think that's the exciting thing about sevens at the moment."

Levi has lofty ambitions in the sport, with the Olympic gold at the top of the list after the disappointments of Paris.

"I think ultimately, I want to go down one of the greatest wingers to play the game," she said on her main goal.

"Portia Woodman just retired and she's got this big legacy. So I'd like to follow in her footsteps and ultimately leave the game with having my name branded in the game, which would be pretty special.

"There are the little achievements that we haven't quite yet got and a gold medal would be really nice with the girls."

This includes a potential stint with the Wallaroos at next year's World Cup with Sevens coach Tim Walsh's blessing.

"I think a dual international is something pretty special," she added.

"I think I've only just recently had chats about us sevens girls (playing RWC), but I've also never played a game of fifteens in my life so who knows how I'd go. I might not even make the team with Maya Stewart out there carving up

"I've got to keep playing sevens at the moment with the series coming up and then maybe a dual international and the ride would be pretty awesome.

"They had an expression of interest last year for girls that would play fifteens and I put my name down straight away. I think just the beauty to play not just sevens but fifteens on an international level is something pretty special.

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