'I forget that I'm only 20': The 7s ace proving that age is just a number

Time and time again, Australian Sevens ace Maddison Levi has shown the world that she’s more than capable of holding her own against some all-time greats.

Levi has proven herself to be one of the most impressive talents on this year’s World Series circuit, and she’s only 20-years-old.

As the adage goes, age is just a number. The Queenslander is the embodiment of that saying, as she dons her countries colours without fear or concern.

Levi, who has scored the most points on this year’s Women’s World Series, appears to be scoring tries for fun every time she takes the field.

As she comes up against some legends of the sport, including New Zealanders Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Michaela Blyde, the rising star bows to no one.

“I don’t look at myself as 20, I see myself as (being) at that level so I have to play like all these experienced girls,” Levi told RugbyPass.

“Sometimes it does defeat me because I’m playing against the likes of Portia (Woodman-Wickliffe) and Michaela Blyde, and they’re probably the two best wingers in the world.

“Portia, if not the best that’s been in the game.

“I find myself always comparing and always trying to be at that level which is good that I get to play against those girls to challenge myself, but then I forget that I’m only 20.

“I’ve still got so much experience, really this is my fifth year of rugby and I’ve got so much more to learn which is pretty exciting.

“I do exactly what I did when I was younger and started playing Sevens not looking at the future, I just stick to the now.

“When I’m out on that field I have fun, and I find the more I have fun, the more successful the game goes.

Levi has been absolutely sensational throughout this year’s World Series so far, including a stellar performance in front of Australian fans in Sydney last month.

Playing at the Sydney Sevens, which returned to the city for the first time in three years, Levi put on a show.

While the Australians fell short of Cup glory in both the men’s and women’s competitions, Levi regularly sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a barrage of tries – including four against Spain.

Levi now sits atop of the try scoring charts with 32 for the season, which is one more than Black Ferns Sevens star Michaela Blyde.

Reflecting on her journey to World Series stardom, which included a difficult decision to leave Aussie Rules, Levi praised captain Charlotte Caslick and the rest of the Australian squad.

“They’re the girls that I idolised when I first started playing and I was pretty fortunate when I moved down to Sydney that Charlotte took me at Teegs under her wing and we were living with her,” she added.

“Just gaining her knowledge both on and off the field; how she goes about training, what she does to put her body in the best position.

“Definitely having the experience from those girls and their knowledge to pass down is pretty exciting. I’ve learnt so much through the short time I’ve been in the program.

“You learn a lot from the coaches but the ones that are actually out on the field playing, they’re just go so much input and you just soak it up.”

Australia’s shock quarterfinal exit in Sydney last month has cost them in the race for World Series glory.

While the hosts were left to rue what could’ve been, fierce rivals New Zealand put on a clinic en route to another Cup final win.

Levi and the Australians now trail leaders New Zealand by 12-points on the overall standings, with just three tournaments to play.

But the Australian Women can continue their pursuit for a top four spot, which will see them automatically qualify for next year’s Olympics, in Vancouver on March 3-5.