Aussie women’s sevens stun four-game losing streak to NZ with Cape Town triumph — a highlight that shifts momentum and expectations.
Australia’s women’s sevens squad ended a four-match final setback to New Zealand by clinching the Cape Town Sevens, flipping the script after last week’s Dubai result. The team dominated in South Africa, remaining undefeated over the weekend and charging to a 26-12 victory in the final, after building a 26-0 cushion earlier on.
Co-captains Madison Ashby and Isabella Nasser led the charge, with Nasser earning Player of the Final honor. Madi Levi provided the finishing spark, scoring four tries as Australia overwhelmed the United States 34-7 in the semifinal. The men’s team also faced a tough weekend, finishing seventh in Cape Town after a Dubai runners-up finish, with just one win on the board.
Tim Walsh’s squad embraced a strong early advantage against the Black Ferns Sevens and held on for the win, never allowing the deficit to threaten their position. “It feels really good; we were hurting last week after losing to the Kiwis, but we put it out there today,” Nasser said. “We focused on the areas that needed improvement for this week, and it was a big squad effort.” She added that the team feeds off the crowd energy and atmosphere, describing it as absolutely amazing.
Looking ahead, the women’s sevens take a break until the final weekend in January, with Singapore the next focus before Australia hosts its circuit stop in Perth a week later.
