LIVE: Australia Sevens begin new SVNS era in Dubai with mixed ...

2 Dec 2023

Rugby.com.au

The new look HSBC SVNS World Series will get underway in Dubai as the Australian sides look to start their build to the Paris Olympics.

The Women's side are the defending Dubai champions, the last title they won on the World Series, with debutant Kaitlin Shave set to light up the world circuit.

Watch every round of the HSBC SVNS Series exclusive, ad-free and live on Stan Sport.

They opened their campaign with thumping wins over Brazil and Japan, finishing their group stages against and (11:51 pm), out to go one better in 2023-24.

As for the Men, they will debut flyer Henry Palmer and Ben Dalton as they look to build off their fifth place finish.

John Manenti's side started with defeats to Ireland and Argentina, finishing their campaign against Spain (2:16 am).

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:Australia Women 39 def Brazil Women 0

Charlotte Caslick has delivered a masterclass as the Australians took a comfortable 39-0 win over Brazil to start their season.

Caslick had a hand in five tries as the Aussies started their title defence on fire.

Maddison Levi picked up where she left off in 2022-23, scoring twice in three minutes as the Aussies dominated the opening half, with Caslick finding Faith Nathan in the corner for a 15-0 lead at the break. A well-worked lineout move put Caslick in for a try of her own, there to capitalise on a great crash ball line from Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea. The two-time World Player of the Year combined with replacement Bienne Terita to put Madison Ashby into space for a long-range try before darting over close for her second. Debutant Kaitlin Shave capped off the near-perfect game with her maiden try to seal the convincing win.

Australia Men 12 def by Ireland Men 19

Australia has gone down to Ireland 19-12 to open their Dubai campaign

Matt Gonzalez showed some great handling to collect a James Turner offload, racing away for the opener. However, the Irish dominated the rest of the half as superstar duo Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy helped Ireland to a 19-7 half-time lead.

Debutant Henry Palmer got the Aussies back into the contest, racing down the sidelines to reduce the margin.

In the end, Ireland got the key turnover with a minute to go as they held on for the win, with John Manenti's side claiming a losing bonus point

Australia Women 66 def Japan Women 0

Australia has delivered a major statement with a 66-0 win over Japan, their largest-ever World Series win.

Maddison Levi again opened the scoring inside the first minute, once again combining with Charlotte Caslick before going herself for a second try in three minutes.

Isabella Nasser crossed shortly afterwards for her debut try, set up by a thumping hit by Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.

Faith Nathan crossed for a quick double for a 33-0 lead at the break. Caslick continued the onslaught after the break for her third try of the event before Levi completed the hat-trick.

Bienne Terita brought up the half-century as the Aussies tormented the Japanese on the restart, followed over by Demi Hayes.

Dom du Toit scored on the siren to record the largest-ever win on the World Series, beating the 61-0 record set by USA v China in 2014

Australia Men 14 def by Argentina Men 31

Argentina have continued Australia's struggles in Dubai with a 31-14 win.

Argentina started fast, scoring two quick tries through Luciano Gonzalez and Santiago Alvarez.

The Aussies struggled to deal with Argentina’s pressure as Marcos Moneta extended the lead with a double as they took a 26-0 lead into the break.

Dietrich Roache settled the Australians after the break, getting them on the board with a long range try. Hayden Sargeant then capitalised on a loose pass to give the Aussies a slim hope of a famous comeback.

In the end, Moneta’s third sealed the win and leaves Australia needing a win against Spain and results to go their way to sneak into the quarter-finals

Australia Women v Ireland WomenAustralia Women’s Sevens team for Dubai SVNS:

2. Sharni Smale

3. Faith Nathan

4. Dominique Du Toit

5. Teagan Levi

6. Madison Ashby

7. Charlotte Caslick (C)

8. Kaitlin Shave*

10. Bella Nasser

11. Demi Hayes

12. Maddison Levi

22. Bienne Terita