Aussies smoke Spain after Levi hat-trick to kick-start quest for maiden Hong Kong 7s title

Hong Kong: The ‘cheat code’ Maddi Levi is again – and so are Australia’s girls’s hopes of profitable a maiden Hong Kong Sevens title.

Regardless of Tim Walsh taking his youngest squad to the mecca of rugby sevens, Australia pulled away from Spain of their first-up conflict to smash the Europeans 54-12 on day one of many Hong Kong Sevens on the gorgeous new Kai Tak Stadium.

Levi, who missed the Vancouver leg of the SVNS World Sequence match due to a hand damage, completed with a hat-trick to settle her nerves and ship a shiver down the spines of rivals.

“I used to be most likely extra essentially the most nervous I’ve been this season,” Levi admitted following her improbable return.

“I assume simply having a bit of little bit of a break you second-guess your means and doubt your self, however simply to search out my toes and get into that sport, I’m fairly completely happy.”

Maddison Levi scored a hat-trick in opposition to Spain on day one of many Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium on March 28, 2025. (Picture by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs)

Levi’s three tries noticed her prolong her lead on the prime of the tryscorers record, with the 22-year-old now bringing her season marketing campaign to 33 tries – greater than ten greater than her closest rival, Brazilian Thalia Costa.

However simply as essential as her runaway tries was her means within the air, with the towering winger serving to Australia dominate the essential kick restarts.

Not that she’s solely pondering of the five-pointers.

“I’d most likely get upset if I didn’t contact the ball and rating in my first season, however I believe I’ve constructed and grow to be a extra mature participant since then,” she mentioned.

“Now, it’s simply to get the outcome for the group and what I can do to get the outcome, and if I rating a attempt, I rating a attempt, however it’s not likely my sole focus, it’s about how I can contribute to the group to get the win.”

There’s no doubting her impression on the facet although, with Walsh revealing that the winger scores with each second contact.

“I imply, yeah (it’s a aid to have her again),” Walsh mentioned.

“All of the cheat code, iconic or no matter names, it’s fairly useful to have somebody who, you already know when she will get the ball, her strike charge’s at about 50 per cent whether or not she scores or not. So, the extra instances you get the ball in her hand, the higher.

“However we do should earn the precise for that. We do should be sure that we’re doing a little electrical motion and creating a bit of little bit of house for her to do her magic.”

Australia’s girls’s sevens group are out to win their maiden Hong Kong Sevens on the new Kai Tak Stadium. (Picture by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs)

Levi wasn’t alone in having a memorable opener to the match, with teenager Amahli Hala getting an early turnover and scoring seconds later within the first half.

Ruby Nicholas additionally confirmed her athleticism, streaking away to attain within the first half.

Captain Bella Nasser and Religion Nathan additionally obtained on the scoreboard.

“We all know we haven’t received Hong Kong but,” Levi mentioned.

“Clearly that is the one third 12 months and final 12 months we had a tricky semi-final after which performed third and fourth in opposition to France after which New Zealand the 12 months earlier than, so I believe we’re able to go all the best way this time.”

The victory was the proper begin for Australia and simply the kind of momentum-building victory that Walsh was after following the facet’s “disruptive” lead-up, the place a number of members of the facet have been away enjoying within the Tremendous W match.

In the meantime, Walsh gave his tick of approval to the brand new 50,000 seat stadium.

“Completely adore it,” Walsh mentioned.

“I imply, we got here out right here throughout the week to take a look, and it simply had this vitality about it.

“I don’t know whether or not it’s Hong Kong or the stadium, however it all kind of culminates collectively for one thing particular.”

Australia play Canada of their second match at 4:57pm AEDT.

Australia’s males open their marketing campaign in opposition to New Zealand at 8:30pm.

Christy Doran travelled to the Hong Kong Sevens because of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific and The Langham.