Maddison Levi scores seven tries as Australia edge New Zealand 2-1 in pre-season sevens series

Maddison Levi scored seven tries in three matches as Australia claimed a 2-1 series record against New Zealand in the Kick On 7s pre-season fixtures in Sydney, though the Black Ferns Sevens denied the hosts a clean sweep with a commanding 21-7 victory on Saturday.

Levi, the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, was the dominant figure across Friday’s two matches, touching down five times as Australia won 24-19 and then 36-26. In the second fixture she claimed the kick-off and crossed for the opening score inside 10 seconds, setting the tone for a performance that also featured tries from Isabella Nasser, Amahli Hala, Heidi Dennis and Ruby Nicholas.

Saturday’s decider, however, belonged to New Zealand. Jorja Miller opened the scoring early, beating Paris Olympian Kahli Henwood in a footrace before the conversion extended the lead. The Black Ferns Sevens controlled possession and territory throughout the first half, with Jazmin Felix-Hotham crossing near the posts to make it 14-0. Felix-Hotham and Kelsey Teneti then combined to set up Rugby World Cup winner Renee Holmes for a third try. Levi scored twice late on, but Australia could not mount a meaningful comeback.

Australia captain Isabella Nasser reflected positively on the two Friday wins ahead of the upcoming HSBC SVNS Series. “New Zealand are always going to put up a fight. We’ve known that for years and it’ll continue for years to come,” Nasser said. “To be able to put our body on the line, to step up for each other and have each other’s backs, particularly in defence on our line, it sets heaps of confidence heading into Dubai in a couple of months.”

The series served as a meaningful pre-season benchmark for both nations. Australia, the reigning HSBC SVNS World Championship winners, showed their attacking firepower remains intact, while New Zealand — the 2026 League Winners — demonstrated they retain the defensive structure and composure to compete at the highest level.

With the HSBC SVNS Series opener in Dubai approaching, both sides will take encouragement from the weekend. For Australia, Levi’s try-scoring form underlines why she remains one of the most dangerous players in the women’s sevens game; for New Zealand, Saturday’s response showed their squad is far from a spent force.