Captain Bella Nasser (pictured) has made it clear just how much it means for Australia’s champion rugby sevens girls to win on home soil.
The girls in gold are in with a strong shot after advancing to a Sunday semi-final against Canada at the HSBC SVNS in Perth.
Their 35-0 victory over Japan in Saturday night’s quarter-final was emphatic with a golden touch to five tries.
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Nasser’s team had the knockout match in control within 40 seconds when Maddi Levi timed her run perfectly onto a switch pass from two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Charlotte Caslick. Levi sprinted more than 60m for the first of her two tries and there wasn’t the catch-up class in the Japanese line-up.
The chance to give youngster Mackenzie Davis some extended time, with the game settled early, had a rich reward. Late in the game, she put on a sizzling stutter step and a right-hand fend to split the defence and dash at pace to the tryline.
Davis is just 20 and in her second tournament. She was an eye-catcher just as seasoned comeback figure Demi Hayes was. Hayes and Nasser ganged up for the tackle of the match in midfield to jolt a turnover from the Japanese.
It’s too easy for casual fans to see the Australians as “The Maddi Show” even with so many other things are being done well at this tournament.
Tia Hinds’ precise re-starts have been slapped back as valuable bites of possession numerous times. Discipline has replaced the careless tackling of 2024 in Perth. A second Caslick switch play put Faith Nathan into space to score.
Caslick has the polish to do it herself on call. Her own try was typical…running out wide, sizing up two defenders, some footwork and then a left-foot step to dash infield between them for a five-pointer.
The Australians haven’t won a home tournament in the World Series since 2018 and have been left dismayed by a string of minor placings since.
“Losing any game lights a fire in everyone’s belly. We would love to win a home tournament,” Nasser said.
“It would be really good for our program and really good to show our family and friends we can do it at home.
“There were some real positives against Japan. Demi is a really good frontline defender and ball-player. She brings so much energy and experience whether she starts or comes off the bench.
“Mackenzie showed she is lethal with a great step.
“We are a young team in Perth so that has been the big plus…seeing young girls building their experience and performing.”
Australia will meet Canada in one semi-final while New Zealand will face France in the other.
Australia’s men’s team bounced back with a fine 24-12 over Olympic champions France in their quarter-final. The home side will meet South Africa in one semi-final while Spain will take on Argentina in the other.
