'It’s pretty awesome': Sevens heroes reflect after historic Triple Crown

Mon, Sep 12, 2022, 12:14 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Australian Women's Sevens have stolen a thrilling final in Langford to take the World Series crown.

The Australian Women Sevens side could barely hide the emotion as they cement their place in history, achieving a historic Triple Crown after defeating New Zealand 24-22 in the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

The achievement comes after claiming World Series and Commonwealth Games gold earlier in the season, the first team to do so male or female.

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It also breaks a 13-year drought between World Cup success, making the final for the first time since their inaugural title in 2009.

Co-captains Charlotte Caslick and Demi Hayes believe their success can help further the legacy created by that group, explaining what it meant to the group in a raw interview after the win.

“We were talking about the ’09 girls today so hopefully in three more cycles, the girls are talking about us and what we’ve achieved this year," Caslick said

“To continue on the legacy of the Australia Women’s Sevens is pretty f****** awesome.”

“Our group is a lot of young ones and there’s even more coming through so it’s so exciting to get three wins under their belt, especially this year,” Hayes believes.

“To take it forward into an Olympic in 2024 (is special).”

With the group undergoing a significant transformation in the past 12 months, it was fitting that their most experienced player, Sharni Williams, was the deciding figure in the historic moment.

Williams started the comeback after an early New Zealand try, with her conversation close to the sidelines proving critical.

“It’s always a tough battle with our rivals New Zealand but it’s just that skill execution. As soon as we had set piece, you could see that they unfolded.,” she believes.

“They scored, we scored, it becomes a really good testament to what Rugby Sevens is.”

There is a seven-year gap between Williams and next oldest teammate Caslick, with both adding World Cup success to already Hall of Fame resumes.

The 34-year-old, who will immediately head to the Gold Coast to join the Wallaroos ahead of next month's World Cup, paid credit to the youthful squad.

“I love this group, they keep me young and teach me new tricks. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks but you definitely can with this group,” she said.

“I’ve been getting my TikToks out and whatnot but they get me in my uncomfortable zone.”

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