Perth SVNS: Australia women fall in gold medal rematch with New Zealand, men secure bronze medal

Australia’s defence of their Perth SVNS women’s gold medal has ended in disappointment after they were crushed 29-7 by New Zealand in the final.

The hosts struck first, but the might of their bitter rivals overwhelmed them as the match continued, with Australia making too many mistakes while the Kiwis stayed cool.

There was slightly more joy for Australia in the men’s bronze medal match as a dramatic late Josh Turner try under the posts secured them a 12-10 victory.

Then, with a mighty contingent of fans from both countries roaring them on, South Africa held off Fiji 21-19 in an enthralling men’s gold medal match.

After the dominant nature of Australia’s women’s previous four games, they were brought back down to earth by a physically-supreme New Zealand outfit and captain Isabella Nasser said they lost the game gradually in moments.

“I’ve said it all weekend, but it’s a matter of moments. We probably threw the first moment at them, Heidi (Dennis) scored that unbelievable try, but it’s just a matter of being able to stay in it,” she said.

“It’s the beauty of sevens. We always get another go at them, and we’ll build our game and build our menu to throw back at them, and we’ll use it as motivation to go again in Vancouver and New York.

Nasser also paid tribute to the colourful atmosphere around the ground all weekend; for the third year in a row, fans turned out in droves for the event branded ‘rugby’s biggest party’ as soaring temperatures did little to dampen spirits or expunge the energy around the stadium.

“I was holding in tears in the anthem, looking at the amazing support we have from the fans, from the families and friends, and we’re really blessed with the group we have — we take in the energy, we love everyone,” she said.

Both sides exchanged jabs rather than haymakers; Maddison Levi showed her value as she made a brutal tackle, rolled away and then re-joined the ruck to help her side win a vital midfield turnover.

Dennis gave Australia the lead and the early 7-0 advantage not long after, but then the Kiwis hit back – first through Jorja Miller as she bowled her way down the win and fed Risi Pouri-Lane to make it 7-7, before the brute strength of Kelsey Teneti gave New Zealand a five point lead at the break.

Teneti was at it again after the restart as she gave her side a 17-7 advantage and Katelyn Vahaakolo struck not long after to all but end the game, with Alena Saili adding a late try to rub salt into the wound.

In the men’s bronze medal match, New Zealand started strongly and Regan Ware gave them a quick 5-0 lead – and it could have been more, had Wallace Charlie not made an important turnover backed up against his own try-line.

It gave Australia the impetus needed to go down the other end and level the scores after Josh Turner flipped the ball to Jayden Blake down the edge.

Tensions threatened to boil over when Kele Lasaqa struck Henry Hutchison in the head and both teams piled onto one another at The Shed end, with the pair both sent to the sin-bin.

James McGregor was denied a try in the corner when he slid into touch, and the Kiwis landed a significant blow after the restart when Frank Vaenuku sprinted away from an off-load.

And when Australia botched the resultant kick-off reception, it looked as if their race was run.

But they calmly built pressure inside the 22 and Kitiona Vai’s yellow card gave them a helping hand, before Turner proved the hero as he scampered over from close range before Ben Dowling cooly added the winning extras.