Maddison Levi has defied a knee injury to score a superb double as Australia wrapped up the women’s rugby sevens World Championship in Bordeaux, France.
Australia defeated New Zealand 26-19 in the final to clinch the world title.
New Zealand won the first of the three World Championship tournaments in Hong Kong, before Australia secured back-to-back triumphs in Valladolid and Bordeaux.
Levi was injured during the Valladolid tournament and was kept under wraps for the first two days of competition in Bordeaux until the semis and final.
She produced a player-of-the-match display in the final with two tries, while Heidi Dennis and Faith Nathan also crossed the stripe to help Australia secure a third overall title in five years.
Levi also saved a try in defence, when she chased down New Zealand’s Katelyn Vaha’akolo during the second half.
Maddison Levi starred for Australia in the final against New Zealand. (Reuters: Catherine Steenkeste)
“It’s pretty surreal,” Levi said after the final.
“The girls helped me get back and I wouldn’t be here without them. We spoke before the game that it’s been our most consistent season, and we’ve been in every final.
“We’ve beaten an amazing New Zealand side. It’s always hard when we play them.
“No matter even when we beat them, it’s always a tough game.”
Levi’s sister Teagan also enjoyed a big tournament, while co-captain Bella Nasser came up trumps with a big defensive play early in the final.
Earlier on the final day, the Tim Walsh-coached side reached the tournament decider with a 21-7 victory over USA in the semis.
“In the end, our big-game players all stepped up and the depth in our program means we have more than one player capable of turning a game at any moment,” Walsh said.
“Champions are not stars. Champions are team players that consistently show up and perform even when they don’t feel like it.”
The overall men’s world title went to South Africa, despite the team being defeated in the semis in Bordeaux by hosts France, who went on to beat New Zealand 14-5 in the final.
The Australian men ended up fifth in the season’s standings, winning their last match of the season 29-0 against Great Britain to claim seventh position in Bordeaux.
AAP
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