Aussie Maddison Levi aiming for SVNS greatness after record-breaking season
In the wake of a history-making season with a world-class Australian side, Maddison Levi has set her sights on cementing her place as “one of the great wingers” in the world of rugby SVNS.
Levi, 21, set a new record for the most tries scored in a single women’s series season with 57 across seven events. The next best was New Zealand wing Michaela Blyde with 43.
The Australian was rewarded for a headline-grabbing breakout season on the sevens circuit with a nomination for World Rugby’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
But Levi isn’t satisfied. After re-signing with Rugby Australia and the sevens program along with sister Teagan, the try-scoring phenom is looking to continue her rise in 2023/24.
Levi has already sent the Dubai rugby crowd into a frenzy with a try-scoring blitz on the opening day, which included a hat-trick in the 66-nil demolition of Japan on a sweltering afternoon.
“I guess it’s always in the back of my mind (to score as many tries as possible) but my priority at the moment is to just take each game as it comes, just get the wins,” Levi told RugbyPass on Saturday.
“My job is made easy because the girls out on the field next to me make it easy so when they work hard it really helps me open up space.
“I’ve had two really good years on the (series).
“Coming into this one I didn’t really want to drop, I just wanted to keep working and keep building as one of the great wingers.
“We work on the basics in the preseason. I’ve been really working on my speed and my power so just trying to step up to the next level so I can help my team and vice versa they help me.”
After a golden year in 2022 which saw the Aussies win Commonwealth Games gold, claim the Rugby Sevens World Cup and the World Series crown, New Zealand took control last season.
The Black Ferns Sevens won every World Series event in 2022/23 except for one, with Australia claiming the Cup final at this very stadium – Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium – last season.
But the Aussies appear hungry. Whether it’s speaking with Maddison or a handful of other Aussie sevens stars, they all seem determined to return to the top of the SVNS world.
“We’ve had a really long preseason and we’ve just been working tirelessly at focusing on those little details (from) last year that probably let us down,” Levi said.
“It’s good to come out and execute in the first two games.
“We just take each game as it comes. We’re ultimately building towards Paris,” she added.
“We say we’re a process-driven team so the outcomes are great if we win them… but I guess it’s just staying in the process, win or lose.
“We say, ‘You’re either winning or you’re learning’ and I think we took a lot of learnings out of last year so it’s good to come in fresh and show everyone what we’ve been working on.”
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Excellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
Go to commentsFunny that I read this after watching last night's game where Matera packed down at openside every signle time. Jaguares also used to play with OS/BS flankers when he was with them. Of course, if he's at 8 or not involved, Pumas could do it the French way and put, let's say, Kremer on the right and Golzalez on the left. You're correct about Matera's tenure at Crusaders where he was mainly used at blindside but also at #8 on occasion as far as I remember. He has the frame and skillset to play whichever back row position he's put at, much like Ardie or Jack Willis or Pocock.
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