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Standout Madison Ashby described her team as “the queens of the desert” as Australia won its third straight Dubai Sevens title by beating New Zealand 26-19 in the final.
It was close until the second half when Australia pulled away with tries by Maddison Levi and Demi Hayes.
Ashby was a constant threat during the tournament and was named player of the final.
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“Like our coaches say, we’re the queens of the desert,” Ashby said.
It was the opening tournament of the 2022-23 world series as Australia looks to defend its title.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the season,” coach Tim Walsh said.
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“Our performances over the weekend have justified the work and strategies we have been focusing on during pre-season. To perform so well in the opening round of an Olympic qualifying season showed great composure and resilience.
“Madison Ashby took her game to a new level this tournament, as she executed an array of skills and was omnipresent in the big moments.”
The series moves to Cape Town next weekend.
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“We had a really hard pre-season, but we were so supported by our coaching staff,” co-captain Charlotte Caslick.
“We fought really hard for everyone back home, who couldn’t be here – we did it for them. We’ve never been in a final like that – it was such a tough game against New Zealand but credit to them, they’re world class athletes and such a great opposition.”
Australia’s men’s team finished sixth in Dubai after losing to the United States in the quarterfinals and Argentina in the fifth place playoff.
Australia had won the opening tournament in Hong Kong and now sit second in the series standings behind Dubai winners South Africa.
“After the highs in Hong Kong, we’re very disappointed in our performance here in Dubai,” coach John Manenti said.
“Every team is doing their homework on us and hunting us down, and because of that, we’re going to have to evolve as a team. Though we’ve had a few injuries across the weekend and in the lead-up, the boys have a knack of bouncing back from adversity, and they’re looking forward to the challenge in Cape Town.”
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