Australian SVNS Sequence try-scoring machine Religion Nathan has labelled Canada “most likely the strongest group” in ladies’s sevens earlier than the brand new season. The 2024/25 HSBC SVNS Sequence begins this weekend with the opening match in Dubai from November 30 to December 1.
Defending total Sequence champions Australia will start their quest for extra silverware with pool stage matches towards China, Fiji and Eire. The Irish shocked Australia within the SVNS Perth Cup Remaining in January, so this pool stage conflict might shake up the competitors.
However past the Aussies’ quick focus in Pool A, there shall be an intriguing matchup in Pool C on the opening day of the brand new season between two real title contenders. New Zealand will play Canada within the third spherical of pool play, pitting the 2 Olympic finalists towards one another.
Group Canada loved a fairytale run to the gold medal match on the Paris Olympic Video games after knocking off match hosts France in a quarter-final upset after which beautiful SVNS Sequence champions Australia in a dramatic semi-final at Stade de France.
Whereas the Canadians fell in need of glory in a intently contest hit-out towards gold medallists New Zealand, there’s no likelihood they fly below the radar earlier than the brand new season. Whereas the Kiwis, Aussies and French have lengthy been the groups to beat, Canada are one other heavyweight.
In an interview with RugbyPass on the Rugby Australia Awards in October, Nathan was fast to spotlight the Canadians as a pressure to be reckoned with earlier than the opening two legs of the brand new marketing campaign in Dubai and Cape City (December 7 to eight).
“Canada, they improved all through the entire season,” Nathan advised RugbyPass.
“(Coach Tim) Walshy did say a few seasons in the past, he did say, ‘Be careful, Canada will come up’ after which he was like, ‘I advised you women.’
“So, Canada, France, USA and naturally, New Zealand. However in the mean time Canada’s most likely the strongest group.”
That semi-final match between Canada and Australia won’t be forgotten any time quickly. This author has spoken with final season’s captain Charlotte Caslick and World Rugby Sevens Participant of the 12 months Maddison Levi in regards to the Olympics, which has been robust for them to course of.
Following their triumph on the SVNS Sequence World Championship occasion at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano, Australia have been thought of one of many clear favourites for gold alongside New Zealand. France, the USA and Canada have been all talked up as different candidates to make the rostrum.
It appeared unanimous that the rugby world tipped Australia to not less than stroll away with silver, however sport doesn’t all the time play out as anticipated. The Aussies have been relegated to the bronze medal match by the Canadians, and that’s when Ilona Maher’s USA made their very own historical past.
Alex ‘Spiff’ Sedrick raced away for an unbelievable length-of-the-field attempt to degree the scores at 12-all with time up on the clock. As Sedrick lately revealed to RugbyPass, the American then transformed the attempt regardless of not even practising that skillset at coaching.
Australia completed fourth.
“Personally for me, it was very onerous. I feel we labored so onerous to podium, we didn’t get the outcome we needed and I feel what helped me rather a lot was having day off away from sevens,” Nathan defined.
“My associate and I went to Bali. We simply wanted to regroup, reset, after which as soon as we got here again house we might truly take into consideration what occurred on the Olympics.
“It hit after we got here again. I used to be actually emotional, I used to be unhappy, I used to be going by anger, I used to be going by a whole lot of emotion. However I feel what helped me was my household, my associate obtained me by all this.
“I feel coming into the brand new season it’s helped me as a result of I really feel like I’m extra ready… I’m very hungry to hopefully get chosen and nonetheless keep at sevens and chase that (Olympic) medal (in LA 2028).”
12 months in the past, Nathan and the remainder of the Australia ladies’s sevens aspect have been on track as they introduced an finish to New Zealand’s unbelievable unbeaten run. They knocked off their neighbouring rivals from throughout the ditch in a dramatic Cup Remaining at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium.
The Aussies went on to take out Cup Remaining glory in Cape City after which end second at their house occasion in Perth – later successful the Grand Remaining occasion as talked about above. However with the brand new season rolling round, now could be the time for the gamers to place the Olympics behind them.
“This season we’ll probably not concentrate on the Olympics,” she added.
“Okay, that’s occurred, we need to transfer on and concentrate on this new season.
“We’ve obtained some younger women arising which is actually thrilling. We’ve obtained… all these women arising from growth, Aus A, so it’s good to see them have a crack.”
