Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Good morning GAGRs and welcome to another Tuesday’s rugby news. It’s an exciting time of the year for rugby, with Super Rugby finishing the regular season and the Sevens series moving into the championship rounds. We will have a look at how the Aussies fared in Madrid in the Sevens, and then pick an Aussie team of the week. If you need a recap of the weekend of super rugby, then have a look at Bris’s summary here.
Seven Heaven in Spain
The headline is that both the Aussie teams won in Valladolid in the second round of the HSBC Sevens Championship in Valladolid on the weekend, ending the stranglehold that New Zealand had on the Womens, and South Africa the Mens series, having both won the last four tournaments, including the first round of the championship in Hong Kong.
Double Gold for the Aussies in Spain. Source: HSBC Sevens website.
Women’s draw
The Aussie women’s team had to fight their way through the final series after dropping a pool match to the USA in what is really a boilover considering the form that Australia have showed throughout the season.
The Aussies got comfortable wins against South Africa (26-12), and Fiji (45-5) and while they weren’t at their best against South Africa, a lot of players got game time and the squad depth continues to grow. The performance against Fiji was much more clinical with the defence shutting the Fijians down and the offence seemingly scoring at will.
Madi Levi racked up a hat trick in both games, and all of the players looked dangerous. Kaitlin Shave (who is an ex sprinter has genuine pace, is elusive, and runs good lines. Bella Nasser, Tia Hinds, Madi Ashby, and Teagan Levi all showed their growing experience and class.
The Aussies ran into a red hot USA team in the the final pool game and ended on the wrong side of the ledger, going down 14-10. The USA’s victory was built on defensive pressure and some very fast finishing. The Americans forced the Aussies into errors, and won critical turnover penalties to frustrate the Aussies. Both teams scored two tries with conversions being the difference on the scoreboard. The loss was the Aussies first loss in a pool match this season, and they had won 32 in a row in pool games. The game also saw Madi Levi injured stranding her on 7 tries for the tournament and looking in doubt for the Season finale in Bordeaux. The Aussies had chances to win the game, with a knock on with line in sight to end the first half, and a forward pass late in the second half leaving points on the field.
The finals
The loss to USA meant that the Aussies finished second in their pool, putting them on course to run into New Zealand before the final for the first time this year. And they would have to do it without superstar Madi Levi who was watching from the stands with a knee brace on.
First up it was France in the Quarter final and the Aussies prevailed 21-5. It was a bit scrappy from both sides to start the game before the Aussies strung some passes together and Faith Nathan finished a good team try. It was 7-0 at half time.
Heidi Dennis scored the first try in the second half, before Alycia Christiaens from France showed great pace to beat Heidi Dennis and score. Faith Nathan scored the final try of the match and the Aussies were through (21-5) to a semi final clash with New Zealand.
The Semi Final – Australia vs New Zealand
And what a match it was, with the Aussies and the and Kiwis having contested every Cup Final this year, and adding to that the Kiwis were on a 30 match winning streak. Let that soak in a bit, Australia and New Zealand had contested every cup final this year, with New Zealand winning the last 4.
What a game it was, New Zealand scored in the first minute through Mahina Paul, and then followed it up in the 4th minute with Stacey Waaka weaving through the defence out wide to make it a 14-0 lead, and it looked ominous for the Aussies. But the Aussies have fight and Tia Hinds got them back into the game with a great try under the posts. And then just like that, Jorja Miller did Miller things, and ran through the middle to score on the half time hooter and give the Kiwis a very handy 21-7 lead at half time.
New Zealand showed some nerves to start the second half, kicking the ball out on the full, and that gave Faith Nathan a chance to split the defence, and after a few phases, Heidi Dennis rumbled over to make it 21-14.
The kiwis being the champions the are, hit back quickly through their inspirational captain Risi Pouri-Lane who was put into space and 60 metres to score. Huge credit to two Aussie defenders Demi Kennewell, and Kaitlin Shave for chasing and forcing the try to be scored close to the touchline. The conversion was unsuccessful, but NZ still held a commanding 26-14 lead.
Talking about inspirational captains, Bella Nasser broke through the middle from the kick off, running 50 metres, and setting up Nathan to score a great try. A wonderful conversion from Tia hinds from 10 metres from the sideline and the lead was narrowed to 5. (26-21 to NZ).
New Zealand showed they were human with an error from the restart (running the ball into touch) giving the Aussies a chance with the ball, and they took it. Good passing gave Kaitlin Shave a 1 on 1 near halfway, she obliged by beating the defender and showing great pace to score beside the posts. Tia hinds converted for a 28-26 lead and then it was all about defence. with 30 frantic seconds of excellent defence shutting the kiwis down and ultimately forcing an error.
The Final – Australia vs USA
The Aussies got off to a flyer in the Final, forcing an error from the kick off before Faith Nathan set up the Aussie attack with Heidi Dennis scoring to take a 5-0 lead. Faith Nathan scored a very rapid pair of tries to put Australia ahead 17-0 after 5 minutes. The USA hit back immediately with Ariana Ramsey scoring from the kick off receipt to get the USA back to 17-7 down after 6 minutes. The footwork from Ramsey to beat Nasser was ridiculous, and she ran 75 metres to score. Australia had the final say in the first half with Heidi Dennis scoring to make it 22-7 at oranges.
Heidi Dennis was the star of the second half, pulling off 2 great try saving tackles. The second one set up a scrum, and Teagan Levi took full advantage, dummying in field before taking the blind side and running it in from 50 metres for a 27-7 lead. The USA did score again with Erica Coulibaly scoring a good team try. The final score was 27-14 and the Aussies took home gold.
Men’s Draw
It was the best result for the Aussie Men’s team this year and a perfect time to put in a dominant set of performances.
The Aussies faced Kenya, Great Britain and South Africa in the pool matches and went through undefeated, including a rare victory over South Africa. They had to work for it, with a 15-10 victory over a good Kenyan team, followed by a 26-21 victory over Great Britain, and a 24-14 win over South Africa. The victory over the Blitzboks was well earned and their two first half tries to Wilson and Hutchison were both outstanding team tries. The Aussies took a 10-7 lead into half time. South Africa scored in the 10th minute, before Australia scored two more tries through Dowling and Turner to seal the victory.
Finals
Quarter Final – Australia vs Kenya
The vagaries of the draw meant that the Aussies lined up against Kenya in the Quarter final and they were dominant with a 21-0 victory. Maurice Longbottom was the key to the Quarter Final, scoring a double and kicking three conversions.
Semi Final – Australia vs Fiji
Beating Kenya meant a semi final against Fiji, and the Aussies had to overcome a 4 game losing streak against the Fijians. It took 5 minutes for the Aussies to get on the scoreboard through James Turner after a period of possession, field position, and great ball movement. The Aussies had possession for most of the first half, and despite a great tackle on Harry Wilson forcing a knock on over the line, the Aussies turned the ball over and Turner scored for a 7-0 lead.
Of course Fiji are Fiji, so they scored after 3 passes from the kick off for 7-7, which is where it finished at half time.
The Aussies continued to play a possession game in the second half, and every player ran and passed the ball in a sequence that took the ball from the kick off eventually scored through captain Hutchinson and it was 14-7. Just like the first half, the Fijians hit back from the kick off and the score board was locked up at 14 all.
Australia had most of the play to that point with 25 carries to 10, 65 passes to 10, and yet the score was even at 14-14.
The Aussies earned a penalty with 2 minutes to go and after some very good play from all of the Australian team, Hutchison went over to score a try with 1 minute to play. Conversion successful, and it was 21-14 with 30 seconds to play. Australia won the ball from the kick off, and that was enough to close it out.
Final – Australia vs South Africa.
Australia had to face the Blitzbok again in the Cup Final after South Africa had beaten Argentina in their semi final. South Africa started on fire with two tries in the first two minutes, and all of a sudden it was 14-0 after 3 minutes.
The Aussies rallied though, winning the kick off through Maurice Longbottom, and then they took the ball the length of the field before James Turner beat two defenders to score under the posts. The Aussies were back in it at 14-7 down.
Some fantastic effort in defence by Josh Turner caused a turnover and from the scrum, the Aussies kept possession, won a penalty, and scored a try from the ensuing scrum through Ethan McFarlane scoring in the corner. The conversion was good and its 14-14 at oranges.
There is a new generation of talent coming through for the Aussies with players like McFarlane and Wilson adding power, pace, and skill to complement Hutchison, Longbottom, Turner, Turner, and others.
The second half saw South Africa threatening to break out before a great covering tackle from the Aussies, and offside play from South Africa saw Tristan Leyds see yellow, and Australia took full advantage with Ben Dowling scoring a try to make it a 21-14 game.
The Aussies won the kick off through Aden Ekanayake, and then it was a handful of phases before the captain Henry Hutchison scored to put the Aussies up by 26-14 with 2:40 to play. The Blitzbok had won the last four tournaments though, and when James Turner was shown a red card for a high tackle on Nell (Shoulder to the face), with 90 seconds to go, anything was possible. South Africa did score with 30 seconds to go to get it back to 26-19 to Australia.
Australia were still a man down when they fumbled the kick off. South Africa won a penalty, went the ball left, before scoring under the posts to bring it back to 26-24 with a kick to level it up. The TMO had spotted a forward pass / knock off in the lead up though, the try was wiped off, and the Aussies were the victors. The first final appearance and Gold Medal since 2023.
Australia are the victors in Spain. Source: HSBC Sevens.
Congrats to both the Aussie teams, the Mens team had to beat South Africa twice and Fiji to get the victory, and the Ladies had to beat New Zealand in a semi final after 4 losses in Cup Finals. If you get a chance to watch the replay of the finals, you can see how happy both teams were for each other. Super stuff.
Australia are now at the top of the championship table for the Women’s and in third place for the Men’s after two rounds of the finals. It’s all to play for in the final round this weekend in Bordeaux.
Wallaby Watch – Super Rugby team of the week
Talking about super stuff, all of the Aussie teams played in Super Rugby this week, with the Reds getting a victory against the Drua on Friday night in Brisbane, the Brumbies falling to Moana in Canberra, and the Force beating the Waratahs in a wet game in Perth. I have to admit that I was at the Breaky Creek Hotel on Friday night with friends, and didn’t make it to the game, but caught the replay and it was a cracker.
So, let’s get into a team of the week.
Harry Johnson-Holmes – The Force prop put in a good shift against his former team.
Matt Faessler – Returning to his best, lots of tackles, the lineout was good, and work around the park.
Massimo De Lutiis – The young Reds prop started to deliver on his massive promise with dominant scrummaging, and tackles.
Josh Canham – Good to see him back, the lineout worked, and he made his tackles.
Jeremy Williams – As the Force captain, he gets through plenty of work, wins lineouts, makes tackles and is in support when they make a break.
Seru Uru – returned to the back row and had a good game. Tackles,, carries, turnovers, metres carried, a line break, and three offloads to round out a great game.
Fraser McReight – led the way with tackles, four turnovers, and as the captain, rallied the Reds when Fiji went in front. Won the Frank Ivory Medal as best on ground.
Vaiolini Ekuasi – The Force number 8 led the way with carries and work around the ground.
Tate McDermott – Tate is only a couple of games back from injury but showed his quality on Friday night.
Carter Gordon – Carter Gordon took on extra responsibility with the goal kicking, took the ball to the line, his 100 metre kick and chase want instrumental in the win, a little tarnished by a couple of intercepts, but a good game.
Dylan Pietsch – A great game from Pietsch – he runs hard but is super elusive as well. Should be in the Wallabies 23.
David Feliuai – Inside Centre was harder to pick than a broken nose this week.
Josh Flook – Another quality game by Flook, good in defence, good lines and options in attack.
Lachie Anderson – Another good game by Anderson, not many games back from injury, but put his hand up for work. Carries, line breaks, and looked dangerous including the offload to Uru for a try.
Tom Wright – Returning to form and trying to bring the Brumbies with him. Filled in at first receiver, kicked well, and looked dangerous.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Was busy, with tackles, carries, lineout wins, and a turnover.
Aidan Ross – The Reds scrum and lineout drive were points of difference against the Drua
Zane Nonggorr – The Reds scrum and lineout drive were points of difference against the Drua. Good work rate in his time on the field.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – LSL continues his consistent form this year, seemed quieter in the first half, but got stuck in in the second.
Carlo Tizzano – The Force flanker put in a good shift, with carries, tackles, and 2 tries.
Ryan Lonergan – Not as dominant as previous weeks, and was replaced earlier, but a quality performance.
Filipo Daugunu – Had to fill in at 12 when Paisami was injured, and went well, scored a try, gave a great offload for Flooks try, plenty of tackles, and 2 turnovers. Can cover 5 backline positions, and is great in defence.
Andy Muirhead – Is having a good season for the Brumbies.
Player of the Round
Manasa Mataele – Yes he plays for the Drua, but he played for the Force before, and wow he was great this week.
If its a Wallabies eligible player, I’m going to go with McReight.
That’s a wrap
As always, thanks for making it this far, have a great Tuesday, and look forward to the comments section.
Cheers