HONG KONG: Australia’s star player, Maddison Levi, made a spectacular return to the rugby scene at the revamped Hong Kong Sevens held at Kai Tak Stadium, marking her first appearance since injuring her thumb in January during the Perth Sevens. The 22-year-old swiftly showcased her prowess, scoring three tries against Spain in an impressive 54-12 victory in Pool C.
Despite her injury setback, Levi has maintained an outstanding record, sitting at the top of the season’s try-scorers with 30 tries—nine ahead of Brazil’s Thalia Costa. Australian coach Tim Walsh expressed confidence in her abilities, highlighting her remarkable strike rate when she has the ball, describing her presence as a “cheat code” for the team. He emphasised the importance of creating space for her talent to shine, calling for electric movements and teamwork.
Levi admitted to feeling more anxious than usual before the match but quickly settled in, stating that the support from her teammates made scoring easier. However, she also noted the added pressure to perform in Hong Kong, especially with key players like Charlotte Caslick and others absent. Reflecting on her time as a spectator during Australia’s prior semi-final exit in Vancouver, Levi shared her frustrations at being unable to aid her team from the sidelines.
As the tournament progresses, the Australian women’s team will face Canada later in the day, while the men gear up for a crucial showdown against New Zealand. Levi’s triumphant return has injected renewed hope into Australia’s campaign, restating her vital role within the squad as they aim for success.