RECAP: Women go down to NZ in Final, Men finish fourth in New York

Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 6:45 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Maddison Levi scores her 250th career try at just 23 years old at HSBC SVNS New York

The Australian Sevens teams are looking for success as the SVNS World Series heads to New York for the first time ever.

The event will conclude the regular season before the three-leg World Championship, which sees the competition expand back to 12 teams.

Watch the 2025-2026 HSBC SVNS Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.

The Men finished fourth after falling to Argentina in the third place final.

For the Women, they went down to New Zealand in the Final after a last minute try broke their hearts.

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea makes an emotional return after almost two years out due to injury.

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Follow a recap of all the action, game by game, below
Australia Women 21 v 22 New Zealand Women - FINAL

New Zealand have produced a stunning comeback to take down Australia 22-21 in the New York Final.

Australia built a commanding advantage as a double to Teagan Levi gave them a 21-5 lead in the second.

But the Kiwis kept pulling the margin back as Kelsey Teneti got a double, setting up a grandstand finish.

The Aussies scrambled in defence but Katelyn Vahaakolo nabbed the winner in the final minutes.

Australia Men 10 v 26 Argentina Men - BRONZE MEDAL

Australia have gone down to Argentina 26-10 in the bronze medal match.

The Aussies were in the contest in the first half, with Wallace Charlie striking first before Los Pumas levelled the scores at the break.

However, fierce defence from Argentina proved the difference as they forced the key turnovers to strike.

Australia Women 22 v Fiji Women 14 - SEMI FINAL

Australia have once again booked their place in the Final with a 22-14 win over Fiji.

Tia Hinds opened the scoring, with the Levi sisters furthering Australia's lead heading into the break.

Fiji kept in touch during the second half, only for Madison Ashby to seal the victory late in the contest.

Australia Men 7 v Fiji Men 28 - SEMI FINAL

Australia have been unable to flip the result against Fiji, going down 28-7 in the semi-final.

In a rematch of last week's third place final, the Australians started strong via James Turner before the might for Fiji was too much to handle.

They scored four unanswered tries as they blew away the Aussies, who will play Argentina for third.

Australia Women 26 v USA Women 19

The Australians have completed a perfect day one with a gutsy 26-19 win over the USA.

The Americans were fired up in front of a home crowd and pushed the Aussies all the way, tied at 12-all at the break.

But the class of Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan proved the difference, both crossing for a double as they held tough.

Australia Men 19 v South Africa Men 12

Australia have made a real statement, taking Pool A with a 19-12 win over South Africa.

The Australians enjoyed a 12-5 lead at half time thanks to James Turner and Ben Dalton.

The South Africans levelled the scores but the Aussies had enough class in the end, with Jayden Blake breaking the deadlock in the final minute for the victory.

Australia Women 40 v Canada Women 0

Australia has kept the momentum going with a 40-0 win over Canada.

Maddison Levi became the third woman to score 250 tries on the World Series, scoring four in the thumping, with the fourth bringing up the milestone.

It was a family affair as sister Teagan got the other two in a crushing victory.

Australia Men 12 v New Zealand Men 7

Australia have continued their strong start with a 12-7 win over New Zealand

A yellow card to Kitione Vai opened the space for Dietrich Roache to get the opener, before Vai levelled the scores.

Roache got his second right from the kick-off as the defence of Henry Hutchison and co held on for the win.

Australia Women 47 v Japan Women 7

Australia have started on fire with a 47-7 win over Japan.

Coach Tim Walsh took the chance to rest gun try scorer Maddison Levi and her teammates picked up where she left off as they torched the Japanese.

There were six different try scorers, with Heidi Dennis getting a double as the Aussies were rarely troubled.

Australia Men 24 v France Men 0

Australia have shut out France 24-0 to start New York in a big way.

Aden Ekanayake got the opener after two minutes before a timely James Turner strike gave them a 12-0 lead at the break.

From here, they controlled the lead and the game, with Archie Saunders sealing it late

Australia Women’s Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS New York:

2. Amahli Hala – 6 events

3. Faith Nathan – 37 events

5. Teagan Levi – 29 events

6. Madison Ashby (c) – 30 events

8. Kaitlin Shave – 11 events

9. Tia Hinds – 26 events

10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 22 events

11. Demi Kennewell – 29 events

12. Maddison Levi – 32 events

13. Heidi Dennis – 11 events

15. Kahli Henwood – 10 events

55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea – 15 events

65. Sariah Paki – 40 events

Australia Men's Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS New York:

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 64 events

2. Ben Dowling – 25 events

4. Dietrich Roache – 32 events

7. Josh Turner – 42 events

10. Ben Dalton – 14 events

11. Maurice Longbottom – 50 events

13. Jayden Blake – 11 events

14. James Turner – 23 events

23. Aden Ekanayake – 12 events

24. Ethan McFarland – 5 events

33. Harry Wilson – 5 events

49. Archie Saunders – 1 event

77. Wallace Charlie – 6 events

HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES NEW YORK SCHEDULE

AUSTRALIA MEN

  • Sunday March 15: Australia 24 def France 0 (1:44am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 15: Australia 12 def New Zealand 7 (4:40am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 15: Australia 19 def South Africa 12 (7:58am AEDT)

FINALS

  • Monday March 15: Australia 7 def by Fiji 28 (3:28 am AEDT) - SEMI FINAL
  • Monday March 15: Australia 10 def by Argentina 26 (6:54 am AEDT) - FINAL

AUSTRALIA WOMEN

  • Sunday March 15: Australia 47 def Japan 7 (3:12am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 15: Australia 40 def Canada 0 (6:08am AEDT)
  • Sunday March 15: Australia 26 def USA 19 (9:26am AEDT)

FINALS

  • Monday March 15: Australia 22 def Fiji 14 (4:34 am AEDT) - SEMI FINAL
  • Monday March 15: Australia v New Zealand (8:14 am AEDT) - FINAL

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