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Aussies crowned rugby sevens world champions after conquering NZ

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Australia has won the women's rugby sevens World Championship, defeating New Zealand in the final.
  • Maddison Levi was instrumental, scoring two tries despite a knee injury.
  • This victory marks Australia's third world title in five years.

Australia has been crowned the women's rugby sevens world champions after a decisive 26-19 victory over New Zealand in the final match of the Bordeaux leg of the World Championship. The triumph secures Australia's overall world title for the season, adding to their previous wins in Valladolid and Hong Kong.

It's pretty surreal

— Maddison LeviLevi expressed her disbelief and excitement following Australia's World Championship victory.

Maddison Levi played a pivotal role in the final, scoring two crucial tries despite nursing a knee injury sustained during the Valladolid tournament. She was kept under wraps until the semi-finals and final in Bordeaux, delivering a player-of-the-match performance. Levi's contributions, along with tries from Heidi Dennis and Faith Nathan, sealed the championship for Australia. Levi also made a significant defensive play, chasing down New Zealand's Katelyn Vaha'akolo in the second half.

"It's pretty surreal," Levi commented after the match, crediting her teammates for their support in her recovery. "We spoke before the game that it's been our most consistent season, and we've been in every final. We've beaten an amazing New Zealand side. It's always hard when we play them."

The girls helped me get back and I wouldn't be here without them. We spoke before the game that it's been our most consistent season, and we've been in every final. We've beaten an amazing New Zealand side. It's always hard when we play them.

— Maddison LeviLevi highlighted the team's collective effort and the challenging nature of their matches against New Zealand.

Australia's coach, Tim Walsh, praised the team's depth and the performance of their "big-game players." He emphasized that "champions are team players that consistently show up and perform even when they don't feel like it." The Australian men's team finished fifth in their season standings, securing seventh place in the Bordeaux tournament.

In the end, our big-game players all stepped up and the depth in our program means we have more than one player capable of turning a game at any moment. Champions are not stars. Champions are team players that consistently show up and perform even when they don't feel like it.

— Tim WalshThe Australian coach praised his team's performance and the depth of talent within the squad.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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