The last-gasp kick that gave Australia the edge in race for Olympic gold

Australia sevens coach Tim Walsh is confident his women’s side can go all the way at the Olympics after beating France 26-7 in the grand final of this year’s world series.

A tight first half ended 7-7 at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Sunday (Monday AEST), but after the break it became another Maddison Levi showpiece as the young star grabbed a hat-trick of tries.

Levi brushed off two defenders for the first, finished the second in the other corner and fended off a defender to score her third and take Australia to the sevens summit before the Olympics.

“We have all the belief we can go all the way,” Walsh said. “Form and belief is a critical factor in big events such as the Olympics.

“Winning at a pinnacle event like Madrid and leading into the Games instils a great deal of confidence for the players, especially after some adversity faced this season with injuries and suspensions.”

Former AFLW player Levi scored 13 of Australia’s 21 tries in Madrid over the weekend, including three hat-tricks in five games. Just 22, her haul of 69 tries this season was the second-best total in series history, behind only Vilimoni Delasau’s 83 for Fiji in the inaugural 1999-2000 season.

Australia celebrate their triumph in Madrid.Credit: Getty

Arguably Levi’s biggest moment came in the semi-final against New Zealand. The clock was in the red and Australia trailed 19-14 when Levi gathered a restart and ended up scoring the tying try. Tia Hinds then nailed a clutch conversion to win the game 21-19.

Walsh paid tribute to Levi’s standout performance in Spain and believes there is no limit to where her talents can take her in rugby.

“Maddison can rewrite the history books, as long as she has a team supporting her role,” Walsh said.

“She is a freak of a talent with the world at her feet but the space creators around her are just as important.

Tia Hinds kicks a clutch conversion against New Zealand.Credit: X

“Within the team we have specific roles and without each performing their role, Maddi cannot be given the opportunity to perform hers.

“She is a very good person above being an athlete, and is willing to get better every tournament. The sky is the limit for her.”

New Zealand had won the past four tournaments, but they finished 3-3 in matches against Australia this season. The teams also share the event’s two Olympic gold medals and will be the favourites again in Paris.

Australia captain Charlotte Caslick noted the significance of the semi-final victory.

Maddison Levi charges towards the try line against France.Credit: Getty

“Great to get a win over the Kiwis this morning, we have a ding-dong battle with them,” Caslick said. “Just got confidence out of that and belief in ourselves, which is really important moving into the Paris Games.”

France went one better in the men’s series decider, winning their first world title by out-muscling Argentina in the final 19-5 at the same venue, inspired by their star Antoine Dupont.

Australia lost 24-21 to South Africa in the fifth-place play-off on Sunday, but ran out comfortable 21-0 winners over Great Britain to seal seventh spot.

with AP

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