GAME BY GAME: Women finish fourth, Men finish tenth in Vancouver

Mon, Feb 26, 2024, 12:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Sharni Smale scores Australia's first try in Game 1 at SVNS Vancouver

The SVNS World Series gets back underway in Vancouver as the Australian sides seek to continue their strong form.

Both sides made the Final but couldn't get the job done on home soil, leaving them positioned nicely on the World Series ladder.

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

The Women's side finished fourth after losses to France and Canada.

As for the Men, Henry Paterson and Michael Icely will play their first tournaments of the season after overcoming shoulder and ankle injuries respectively.

They finished tenth after going winless through the group stages, rebounding against Spain

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:
Australia Women 12 v Japan Women 10

Australia have survived an almighty scare to hold on for a 12-10 win over Japan.

The Japanese stunned the Aussies early as they wore down the World Series leaders for the opening try via Sakura Mizutani.

It gave them a surprise 5-0 lead at the break before the instruction of Sharni Smale proved the difference Smale scored to start the second half and then set up Caslick for her 170th try on the World Series to take the lead.

Honoka Tsustumi gave Japan life with a last minute try but the Aussies controlled the game at the end for the win.

Post match, Tim Walsh's side lost Madison Ashby for three games for a high shot, set to return in the semis should they make it.

Australia Men 7 v Samoa Men 31

Australia have started with a 31-7 defeat to Samoa.

Samoa broke the game open first when Motu Opetai sliced through some loose play to score.

John Manenti’s side refused to panic and wore the Samoans down for James Turner to waltz over the line to level the scores at half-time.

Turner nearly had a second, only for the ball to just bounce the wrong way, allowing Steve Onosai to counter off the scrum.

Opetai’s second sealed the win as Samoa scored three late tries to cap off the win.

Australia Women 26 v Fiji Women 12

Australia have delivered a strong 26-12 win over Fiji.

Without Maddison Levi and Ashby, Fiji opened the scoring as Repai Ulunisau fought her way over the line despite a great effort from Teagan Levi.

As it was the last game, Sharni Smale was there to steady the ship and put Australia in front. Charlotte Caslick then set up Dom du Toit for a nine-point lead at the break.

Faith Nathan showed off the pace after the break, slicing through the defence for the try.

Du Toit’s second try was a brilliant solo effort, starting from her own half, beating multiple defenders and a high shot to seal the win.

Australia Men 21 v USA Men 26

The USA have defeated the Australians 26-21 to finish day one in Vancouver.

The Americans were out for revenge after Perth and Malacchi Esdale got them off to a flyer, followed over by Aaron Cummings for an early 12-0 lead.

Dietrich Roache had just enough speed to reduce the margin to five at the break with a great individual effort.

Henry Paterson celebrated his return with a brutal run to put the Aussies in front 30 seconds into the second half.

The two teams traded tries and John Manenti's side found themselves in front when Henry Hutchison scored with seconds left.

However, it allowed America one final chance to strike as Perry Baker once again sprinted away to break Australian hearts.

Australia Women 17 def USA Women 12

Australia have struck in extra-time for a 17-12 win over the USA.

Charlotte Caslick got the Australians off to a flyer after a strong Sharni Smale break provided the space for the captain to score in the corner.

The Aussies dominated the half but couldn’t deliver another blow as Alex Sedrick’s raceway try levelled the scores at the break.

It failed to deter Tim Walsh’s side and Faith Nathan eventually found the space to put Australia back in front.

Steph Rovetti answered for the USA with two minutes to go to send the game into extra time.

It just set the stage for the returning Maddison Levi to step up, racing from her own line to score the game winner.

After the game, Teagan Levi was suspended for four games for a high tackle

Australia Men 5 def by France Men 31

Australia have failed to advance to the quarter-finals after a 31-5 win over France.

France superstar Antoine Dupont started his first game as both sides delved into the physical battle.

It took until the sixth minute when Revan Reebadj opened the scoring for the French, followed over by Aaron Grandidier.

Dupont then scored his first try on the SVNS World Series before Esteban Capilla sealed the win.

Henry Palmer got Australia on the board late but it was too little, too late as they will turn their focus to the ninth place semis. 

Australia Women 35 def Fiji Women 19

Australia are into the semi-finals after a 35-19 victory over Fiji.

Maddison Levi started the game on fire, diving over in the corner after Kaitlin Shave recovered the loose ball.

The relentless pressure of the Aussies continued to deliver results as Shave crossed herself, followed by Faith Nathan for a 21-7 lead at the break.

Shave sprinted away for her second to seal the win before Tia Hinds dived over for a well-deserved try to cap off her strong return to the World Series.

Australia Men 19 def Spain Men 14

Australia have scored after the siren for a 19-14 win over Spain to reach the ninth place Final.

Spain stunned the Aussies early as Anton Legorburu crashed over for the opener.

It went from bad to worse as Dietrich Roache was yellow carded for a neck roll, however, they survived the onslaught and Henry Paterson responded for the Australians.

This reduced to margin to two at the break, only for Pol Pla’s grubber kick to restore the Spanish lead.

James Turner started the comeback for Australia after Spain was reduced to six, with Nathan Lawson stealing victory after the siren.

Australia Men 7 def by South Africa 24

Australia will finish tenth after going down to South Africa 24-7.

Impi Visser got South Africa off to a dream start, scooping up the loose ball and scoring in the first minute.

Dietrich Roche answered back for Australia, only for Shilton Van Wyk to run the length of the field as the Blitzboks took a 12-point lead at the break.

Tim Clements was yellow carded just after the break, opening the space for Rosko Specman to cross to seal the win.

Australia Women 19 def by France Women 21

Australia have gone down to the wire to France, falling 21-19 in the semi finals.

Madison Ashby returned to the side after serving her suspension, instantly making an impact with the opening try of the semi-final.

Seraphine Okemba and Camille Grassineau responded for France to put them in front, only for Maddison Levi to produce her typical magic right at half-time to beat three defenders and level the scores.

Anne-Cecile Ciofani restored the French lead as they smothered the Aussies in attack.

The Australians had one final chance to attack and Levi was there to score but Dom du Toit couldn’t convert from the sidelines as France advanced.

Australia Women 14 def by Canada Women 19

Australia have finished fourth after losing 19-14 to Canada.

Krissy Scurfield sprinted away for the opening try inside the first minute for the hosts.

Madison Ashby responded for the Aussies as she pieced through the defence and raced away, levelling the scores at the break.

The Canadians repeated their first half efforts, this time Chloe Daniels scoring in the corner.

Charity Williams extended their lead, before Maddison Levi got the Aussies back into the match with a minute to go.

Levi won the restart back but Tim Walsh’s side couldn’t find a way home as the Canadians hung on.

Australia Women’s Sevens team for Vancouver SVNS: 

1. Lily Dick

2. Sharni Smale

3. Faith Nathan

4. Dominique Du Toit

5. Teagan Levi

6. Madison Ashby

7. Charlotte Caslick (c)

8. Kaitlin Shave

9. Tia Hinds

10. Bella Nasser

12. Maddison Levi

65. Sariah Paki

98. Sidney Taylor

Australia Men’s Sevens team for Vancouver SVNS

1. Henry Hutchison

2. Ben Dowling

3. Henry Palmer

4. Dietrich Roache

5. Tim Clements

6. Henry Paterson

7. Josh Turner

9. Matt Gonzalez

10. Nick Malouf (c)

12. Nathan Lawson

14. James Turner

25. Hayden Sargeant

87. Michael Icely

*Denotes potential debut.

Australian Sevens Vancouver 2024 Schedule

*All times AEDT

Women

Saturday, February 24

Australia 12 def Japan 10 - 6:52 am

Australia 26 def Fiji 12 - 11:46 am

Sunday, February 25

Australia 17 def USA 12 - 5:37 am

Australia 35 def Fiji 17 - 12:01 pm - QUARTER FINAL

Monday, February 26

Australia 19 def by France 21 - 7:23 am - SEMI FINAL

Australia v Canada - 10:40 am - BRONZE MEDAL

Men

Saturday, February 24

Australia 7 def by Samoa 31 - 9:58 am

Australia 21 def by USA 26 - 3:02 am

Sunday, February 25

Australia 5 def by France 31 - 8:49 am

Australia 19 def Spain 14- 1:00 pm - NINTH PLACE SEMI FINAL

Monday, February 26

Australia 7 def by South Africa 24 - 6:23 am - NINTH PLACE FINAL

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