Rugby Sevens Sydney 2023: World Cup sensation Bienne Terita playing for Aussies 7s

This teen didn’t grow up playing rugby with brothers in the backyard. It was her sisters and father showing her the moves. Now she’s one of the most exciting talents in the game.

Bienne Terita playing against New Zealand at the World Cup.

When teenager Bienne Terita scored two tries on debut for the Wallaroos against New Zealand at the World Cup she was continuing an unusual family tradition.

The sisters of Terita, playing her first major tournament at home in the Sydney 7s this weekend, had both represented their country in the sport as well.

“Tayma (now 26) played at the Youth Olympics for Australia but stopped when she was 21 because of a shoulder injury,’’ Terita said.

“My elder sisters Kenina is 28 and she also played 15s and made her Wallaroos debut.

“Growing up I wanted to be like them. I went to go to every single one of their games and knew at 12 I wanted to play sevens rugby.

Bienne Terita of Australia being tackled in the recent World Series match against Ireland.

“Dad always said he wanted us to play rugby as well. He had no boys so we had to.’’

Born in Kogarah, raised in Punchbowl and schooled in Peakhurst, Terita was hooked on Rugby Sevens watching Ellia Green race off with gold at the Rio Olympics

“I started playing OzTag first. Then a friend asked me to play Sevens and I went to Maroubra Magic. That was my first club team,’’ she said.

“I was playing league for a while in the Tarsha Gale for St George but only for a little while.

“My first contact sport was rugby union and I loved it. I love the running and it’s more dynamic.’’

A talented young sprinter during her Little Athletics days with the Illawarra club, Terita said she has modelled her football game on Green.

Bienne Terita has two sisters who have also played for Australia.

“I came into Sevens when the game was big. All the girls I knew wanted to do it,’’ she said.

“I watched Ellia closely and based my game around her. I knew I wanted to be there at the Olympics one day.

Omitted from last year’s Commonwealth Games team, Terita was instead offered a spot with the Wallaroos and announced herself to the rugby world with a stunning debut at the World Cup.

Now the livewire winger is back in Sevens land hoping to impress at her first major event on home turf, ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics and post her being named player of the tournament at the world schools event just prior to Christmas.

“It’s very exciting for all of us to be playing in Sydney,’’ she said.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SEVENS STANDINGS

New Zealand 58, Australia 54, USA 50.

The Australian women's team spray champagne after beating New Zealand to win their section of the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in South Africa last year.

In other news Charlotte Caslick has signed a four-year deal with Rugby Australia which will likely see her lead Australia at the Paris Olympics and following Commonwealth Games in 2026.

The 27-year-old is one of only two players – male or female – to have won an Olympic gold, Commonwealth Games, the Rugby World Cup, the World Rugby Sevens Series and multiple World Rugby Player of the Year awards.

“I am really excited to have re-signed with Rugby Australia. They led the way in women’s sport when they professionalised our Sevens program back in 2014 and they are committed to continually raising the bar,” she said.

“For me it was a simple choice to commit to the Sevens game.

“If you are prepared to embrace the hard work that comes with being part of the world’s best and most challenging high-performance program, then this is the sport to be involved in.’

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