Global Youth Sevens recap

By Adam Julian

Since its inception in 2016, the Global Youth Sevens has morphed into the biggest international age group tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The 2024 edition was held at Dilworth School in Auckland. Japan won the women’s cup for the first time after a convincing 26-15 victory over Australia in the final. Australia won the men’s competition in resounding fashion, defeating powerful composite outfit New Edition 31-7 in the final. 

There were 23 female and 32 male teams competing from as far-flung locations as the USA and the UK. Many Indigenous, Pacific Island, and composite selections boosted numbers and added flavour.  

You can still buy a tournament pass to watch all the games back on NZR+ for just $14.99 NZD. Click HERE to purchase.

Japan Shock the World 

Determined, organised, and precise, Japan thoroughly deserved their surprise victory on the women’s side. In the cup final, they humbled highly-fancied Australia 26-15.

A quick start had Australia reeling with two tries and two yellow cards conceded within four minutes. Sisters Satsuki and Hazuki Ouchida were a nightmare with their speed, skill and variations. Hazuki scored the first try and Satsuki grabbed the third hitting a gap like a Tokyo bullet train.

Tahlia O'Brien scored a much-needed 70m runaway for Australia to make it 12-5 at halftime. Damita Betham closed the gap to 12-10 early in the second half but there was no sign of panic from Japan. Clinical passing involving half the roster saw Satsuki Hazuki spear through like a javelin in a 40m burst.

Australia was guilty of overplaying their hand and when an error occurred, they were outflanked by Satsauji Ouchida.

Japan made an equally rapid start in their semi-final against New Zealand. Japan soared highest at the kick off, tapping the ball onto their side and hitting a hole after 19 seconds. Leilani Naiyaga ran it in from 40m. 

Japan’s defense was intense and their industry at the ruck was swift and muscular. Japan won two penalties against New Zealand for holding on and Naiyaga flashed through to double the score.

When Hazuki Ouchida slipped a tackle to rush clear, New Zealand was in disarray down three converted tries.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee was a talisman for New Zealand all weekend and she created a try for Louise Blyde and then scored one herself that was created by captain Maia Davis. 

All three of those players have appeared in the FPC. Sorensen-McGee helped Auckland win a Premiership title in 2023, Davis was captain of the Manukura First XV that won the National Top Four and featured for FPC championship winners Manawatū. Louise Blyde is the cousin of Michaela Blyde. The New Plymouth Girls High School student has had two seasons with Taranaki. 

Down 21-14 at halftime, a try-saving tackle by Blyde threatened to derail Japan. Otago FPC player Charlotte Va'afusuaga scored at the opposite end. Sorensen-McGee hit the post with her conversion attempt. 

There was more panic in New Zealand’s play though. Too comfortable at home? Unthreatened previously? Two penalties allowed Japan past halfway and when Shiori Okyudo busted past tired defense it was all over. 

Japan didn’t concede a point in their first four games disposing of Cook Islands 31-0, Tainui Waka 46-0 and Samoa Sports Club 31-0 in pool play before overwhelming Belmont Shore (USA) 40-0 in the last 16. In the quarter final, Japan beat Rugby Vault 33-12. 

Japan had a management staff of seven headed by former international and Academy director Keiko Asami. Japan has a women’s professional circuit called the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series. 

Marin Kajiki, Rinka Matsuda and Wakaba Hara attended the Olympics in sevens for Japan from this tournament. 

Australia looked polished earlier in the tournament, though they required four tries by Amelia Whitaker in their quarterfinal to foil the stubborn New Zealand Cavaliers 34-19. 

En route to the final, Australia beat BC Bears 55-0, Rugby Vault 39-5, New Zealand Barbarians 39-0, Egg Chasers 68-0, New Zealand Cavaliers 34-19, and Central Storm 38-14.

New Zealand was third bouncing back from their semi-final defeat to outrun Central Storm 37-10. Asha Taumoepeau-Williams from Condor Sevens champions Howick College scored two tries. 

New Zealand’s path to the semis included victories over Brothers 35-0, New Zealand Cavaliers 34-12, Jasper Williams High School 27-12 & 53-0 and Australia Schools 46-0.

Cup Quarter Finals

Australia: 34 v New Zealand Cavaliers: 19
Central Storm: 29 v New Zealand Fijians: 0
Japan: 33 v Rugby Vault: 12
New Zealand: 46 v Australia School Girls: 0

Cup Semi-Finals 

Australia: 38 v Central Storm: 14
Japan: 28 v New Zealand: 19

Finals

3 v 4: New Zealand: 37 v Central Storm: 10
1 v 2: Japan: 26 v Australia: 15 

Girls Tournament Team 

Umi Kikawa (Japan)
Leilani Naiyaga (Japan)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
Rhani Hagen (Australia)
Amelia Whitaker (Australia)
Litia Bulicakau (Central Storm)
Hazuki Ouchida (Japan) - MVP

Australia Romp to Men’s Title

It’s been a wonderful year for Australian age group rugby with the Australian Schools winning the fifteens test match against New Zealand, scoring a record number of points. 

Now Australia has extended their winning form to sevens by capturing the Global Youth Sevens title in commanding fashion.

Australia outscored seven opponents 316-43, toppling BC Bears 56-0, New Zealand Fijians 33-7, Eden 42-10, Egg Chasers 78-0, Australia Raptors 54-7, New Zealand 22-12 and New Edition 31-7. 

Australia hit the ground running on Day Three, destroying fellow countryman Australian Raptors 54-7 in the quarter final. Tellingly, there were eight different try scorers, Wallace Charlie, Cooper Watters, Declan Minto, Charlie Bird, Tom Howard, Angus Grover, Tom Hartman, and Jarvis Orr.

New Zealand asked the early questions in the semi-final but when they surrendered possession, they were caught napping when Charlie Wallace gathered a shrewd kick. 

With a try and an assist, Kele Lasaqa ensured New Zealand wasn’t upstaged by the Māori side in the quarter-finals. In the 15s season, a Māori U18 side stunned New Zealand Schools 22-15 in Hamilton.

Lasaqa was doing his best to beat Australia on his own too, by scoring a 60m try to cut the deficit to 7-5. 

However, the game turned when Lasaqa from Tauranga Boys Condor Sevens winning team was yellow carded by the deliberate knockdown rule.

Angus Grover caught New Zealand backpedalling from a quick tap and then Australia scored again while New Zealand was undermanned, enough in a tight contest where Hartman and Nathan were outstanding.

New Zealand had scored 28 tries and only conceded six before the semi. They whitewashed the Roache Academy 48-0 and Samoa Sports Club 40-0 while also accounting for Saracens 22-15, RSA Barbarians 40-12 and Aotearoa Māori 12-5 

New Edition posed a significant threat to Australia in the final. They beat the Australian Raptors 22-17, MacDowell Rugby 46-0, Waitaha Canterbury 64-0, Tongan Barbarians 31-15, New Zealand Wasps 21-19 and New Zealand Cavaliers 28-10 to earn their shot at the title. 

Micah Fale, Siale Pahulu, Saumaki Saumaki, Mason Verster, Ollie Guerin, Peni Havea and Thompson Tukapua (injured) were New Zealand Secondary Schools players from the past two years in their roster.

Both sides jabbed early with scrambling defence keeping scores level. Two minutes before halftime Waters made a heroic 40m bust from his own-line. Soon Australia won a penalty at halfway and Wallace Charlie manipulated three defenders and set up Tom Howard. New Edition fumbled the restart and Tom Hartman pounced right away to make it 12-0 at the break. 

When Charlie stood up the New Edition defense David Campese-style, any chance of defeat was averted. Bird applied the icing with tries on each wing. 

Cup Quarter Finals

New Zealand: 12 v Aotearoa: 5
Australia: 54 v Australia Raptors: 7
New Zealand Cavaliers: 21 v New Zealand Wasps: 19
New Edition: 38 v Auckland Bucks: 7 

Cup Semi Finals

New Zealand: 12 v Australia: 22
New Edition: 28 v New Zealand Cavaliers: 10

Cup Final

Australia 31 v New Edition: 7

Men’s Tournament Team

Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe (New Zealand)
Kele Lasaqa (New Zealand)
Zebby Uini-Faiva (New Zealand Cavaliers) 
Jack Riley (New Edition)
Mason Verster (New Edition)
Charlie Bird (Australia)
Tom Howard (Australia)
Wallace Charlie (Australia) - MVP