‘On the verge of tears’: Maddison Levi produces more magic as Australia wins gold at the Dubai sevens

Australia’s heartbreak at the Olympics feels like a distant memory after they produced some late magic against New Zealand.

Australia’s women have bounced back from the pain of a disappointing Olympics campaign to open the new sevens series with a thrilling 28-24 win over New Zealand in Dubai as Maddison Levi showed once again why she’s the best player in the world.

Having lost the bronze medal match in Paris a few months ago, the Aussies claimed victory in Dubai for the fifth time in a row thanks to a late intercept try by Levi, who crossed for her record-breaking 15th try of the tournament.

It comes just days after she was crowned the sevens player of the year, with Australia shooting out to an early 14-0 lead before Levi’s late heroics and then a big defensive play at the death from former skipper Charlotte Caslick.

CLUTCH ⚡️

Maddi Levi scores the match winner AND breaks the all-time record for tries in a single tournament 🤯#Aussie7s#HSBCSVNSpic.twitter.com/1eRoGrMwot

— Australia Sevens (@Aussie7s) December 1, 2024

“We just love the vibe of playing here and the weather, it’s a dry field and it suits the way we play,” Caslick said after being named player of the final.

“Every year we roll out more and more young girls and it shows the depth of our program. I think that’s why we do so well each year because our program is so strong.”

New captain Isabella Nasser was thrilled with the success in Dubai, with the series shifting to Cape Town this weekend.

“It’s pretty incredible, I’m lost for words with how I feel right now and am on the verge of tears,” she said.

“I’m just so happy and proud of the girls for how they showed up tonight and for the rest of the tournament.

“We have a tight-knit group and the young players showed up. The Black Ferns are always a hard team to play and it’s such a good rivalry.”