Rugby Sevens: Why Australian Levi sisters are stronger together
Australian sister act Maddison and Teagan Levi are taking the sevens rugby world by storm and are expected to dazzle for the foreseeable future after signing contracts with the national team until at least the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Rugby Sevens
The multi-talented code-swapping Levi duo has slotted in comfortably in Australia's highly successful sevens rugby programme that has swept almost every possible international trophy over the past two years.
The Aussies have been the golden standard of the women's game in 2022, winning every major title on offer – the World Rugby Sevens Series, World Cup, and Commonwealth Games. The only missing accolade is the Olympic title they conceded to New Zealand in Tokyo 2020 (in 2021).
The Australian side's shock quarterfinal exit and fifth-place finish brought about some serious introspection from one of the dominant forces of the women's game. The Levi sisters are considered a crucial part of Australia's plan to reclaim the title they won in Rio 2016 when sevens rugby made its debut at the quadrennial showpiece.
Maddison Levi: A try-scoring machine
Maddison, the senior Levi, has been a revelation since she made her debut for Australia at Tokyo 2020. She has since established herself as a regular in the starting team and has been a prolific try scorer on the World Sevens Series circuit.
The 20-year-old was named Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 Series after scoring 24 tries in 34 sevens matches. She featured prominently in Australia's title victories at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Sevens World Cup in South Africa.
Maddison started the 2022/23 World Series with a bang scoring an impressive 11 tries en route to Australia's third consecutive tournament victory at the Dubai 7s.
"I'm really excited – we've (Maddison and Teagan) grown so much together over the past season, and there's so much more to come," Maddison told Rugby Australia.
"The experiences that the Sevens provide for us are second to none – to be able to set our sights on the Olympics is unbelievably special.
"To be able to travel around the world and compete in incredible locations for six months of the year is so surreal – I just can't believe I get to do this as my job."
Teagan Levi: Sharing the spotlight
The younger Levi, who watched from home when her sister made her debut at the Olympics, has been equally impressive since she joined the Australian side. The 19-year-old Teagan was part of the team's victorious run at the World Series, Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
"I'm so thrilled that we've signed on for another two years with this team," Teagan told Rugby Australia. "We're a young team, we're still growing together, and we've still got so much to show the world.
"It's amazing to be able to do this sport with my sister and have a part of home travelling the world with me."
Their stunning rise in rugby sevens was partly inspired by Australia's successful showing at the sport's first appearance at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. At the time the Levi sisters were in their tweens and teens, their focus was on dance and perfecting their pointe work.
The sister duet has successfully traded the dance studio for the rugby field, where they are now dazzling with their fancy footwork with an oval ball in hand.
"I was dancing jazz, ballet and hip-hop at the time. I got into footy at school the following year, and we were lucky enough to make a trip to Ballymore," Maddison said.
"We watched the Aussie girls at training, and Ellia Green was kind enough to show us her Olympic gold medal. Charlotte Caslick gave my sister some Aussie shorts.
"From idolising, those players to now playing in the same team with them is hard to believe."
Levi sisters: Swapping codes
While the Levi sisters are now making a mark in rugby sevens, they first made a name for themselves playing Australian rules football. They initially signed for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian rules football women's league before they were lured into the Australian Sevens programme.
"I was lucky enough to get a clause in my contract that rugby takes priority, so I'll go inactive on the AFLW list to go for it at the Olympics and next year's Seven's World Cup and Commonwealth Games," Maddison said. "I just never thought it would be so soon."
The Levi sisters are set to shine at their first Cape Town Sevens tournament that will be contested from 9 to 11 December. They will face hosts South Africa, Ireland, and Spain in Pool A, while New Zealand will take on Brazil, Fiji, and Great Britain in their group. The United States, France, Canada and Japan make up Pool C.
How to watch World Rugby Sevens Series in Cape Town on 9-11 December 2022
The World Rugby Sevens Series live stream online here and through the official App.
Details on how to watch the action in your territory on TV can be found here.