{"id":221178,"date":"2025-10-17T21:48:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T21:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/221178\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T21:48:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T21:48:07","slug":"the-try-saver-that-saw-maddi-levi-crowned-defender-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/221178\/","title":{"rendered":"The try-saver that saw Maddi Levi crowned Defender of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HSBC SVNS Series phenomenon Maddison Levi was crowned the Defender of the Year at the Rugby Australia<\/a> Awards on Friday night, having pulled off a spectacular try-saver on New Zealand\u2019s Kelsey Teneti<\/a> in Singapore.<\/p>\n

In the final round of the 2024\/25 regular season, arch-rivals Australia and New Zealand<\/a> met in the tournament decider at Singapore\u2019s National Stadium. Michaela Brake and Risi Pouri-Lane<\/a> helped the Black Ferns Sevens take the lead before Levi hit back.<\/p>\n

Levi ran through a gap in the Black Ferns Sevens\u2019 defensive line to score what was her 51st try of the season, which helped the Aussies reduce the deficit to five at the break \u2013 but it didn\u2019t take long for the New Zealanders to extend their advantage yet again.<\/p>\n

Jazmin Felix-Hotham showcased some \u2018soccer\u2019 skills and pace to outrun Sariah Paki, before regathering to score. Teneti added another five points to New Zealand\u2019s score, and the Paris Olympics gold medallist seemed destined to complete a double soon after.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s when Levi made an unbelievable stop, denying Teneti with a desperate defensive play with less than three minutes left in the Cup Final. Levi wrapped up the ball and rolled Teneti over in one motion, before stealing possession and running the ball 15 metres upfield.<\/p>\n

@rugbypass<\/a> The slickest try save and ball steal from Maddison Levi \ud83e\udd2f #rugby<\/a> #hsbcsvns<\/a> #hsbcsvnssgp<\/a> ? original sound \u2013 RugbyPass<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you just do Maddi Levi,\u201d commentator Rikki Swannell exclaimed on the broadcast, as seen on RugbyPass TV.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaves the try, steals the ball, gets away\u2026 that was unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Australia lost that Singapore Cup Final 31-7 in April, Levi\u2019s incredible try-saver went viral on social media. Levi\u2019s effort was later recognised by Rugby Australia as one of four highlights nominated for Defender of the Year.<\/p>\n

Australia Sevens talent Jayden Blake<\/a> was another finalist, after making a try-saving cover tackle against the Blitzboks in Perth. Wallaroos backrower Ashley Marsters<\/a> and NSW Waratahs back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii<\/a> were also in the running for the media-voted award.<\/p>\n

Levi was one of six sevens representatives who received accolades at the 2025 Rugby Australia Awards, with Faith Nathan and James Turner<\/a> taking out the top individual honours as the women\u2019s and men\u2019s Sevens Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

Nathan was one of three finalists for the women\u2019s Shawn Mackay Award, which is awarded to the team\u2019s best and most consistent player. Team captain Isabella Nasser was also in the running, along with Levi.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always an honour being nominated but especially receiving the award,\u201d Nathan told RugbyPass and Rugby.com.au on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was Bella being nominated, Maddi Levi being nominated\u2026 it\u2019s just a special achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turner was nominated for the men\u2019s award along with three-time Olympian Henry Hutchison<\/a> and Henry Paterson. Rising stars Aden Ekanayake<\/a> and Sid Harvey<\/a> shared the Junior Men\u2019s Player of the Year honour after impressive rookie seasons.<\/p>\n

Mackenzie Davis was the other sevens award winner, taking out the Junior Women\u2019s Player of the Year. Davis scored a hat-trick against Paris Olympics silver medallists Canada<\/a> at the Singapore Sevens, which is just one highlight to speak of.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019m lucky to be surrounded by some amazing players like Maddi Levi, getting 200 yesterday,\u201d Davis told RugbyPass at Singapore\u2019s National Stadium.<\/p>\n

2025 Rugby Australia Awards winners<\/p>\n

John Eales Medal \u2013\u00a0Len Ikitau
Wallaroos Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Tabua Tuinakauvadra
Shawn Mackay Award for Men\u2019s Sevens Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0James Turner
Shawn Mackay Award for Women\u2019s Sevens Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Faith Nathan
SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Carlo Tizzano, Western Force
SMARTECH Super Rugby Women\u2019s Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Georgina Friedrichs, NSW Waratahs
Santos Rookie of the Year Award \u2013\u00a0Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, NSW Waratahs & Wallabies
Junior Men\u2019s Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Aden Ekanayake, Men\u2019s 7s\/AUS U20s &\u00a0Sid Harvey<\/a>, Men\u2019s 7s\/AUS U20s
Junior Women\u2019s Player of the Year \u2013\u00a0Mackenzie Davis, Women\u2019s 7s
Cadbury Try of the Year \u2013\u00a0Max Jorgensen, Wallabies vs. England
Defender of the Year\u00a0\u2013 Maddison Levi, Women\u2019s 7s vs. NZ, Singapore
Fedex Referee of the Year \u2013\u00a0Ella Goldsmith
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award \u2013\u00a0Jo Staples, Queensland Rugby Union
Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby \u2013\u00a0John Edwards, RugbyWA
Geoff \u2018Bunter\u2019 Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award \u2013\u00a0John Carters, NSW Rugby
Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year \u2013\u00a0Craig Gardner, Tasmanian Rugby Referees<\/p>\n