Perth 7s Recap: A Tale of Resilience and Close Calls
February 10, 2026
The British rugby sevens teams embarked on a thrilling journey to Australia, where they faced off against formidable opponents in the HSBC SVNS series. The men's team showcased their mettle, securing a hard-fought victory against New Zealand and narrowly missing out on a win against Australia, falling just three points short.
The women's squad kicked off their campaign with a challenging match against Australia, followed by encounters with Canada and France. Despite a valiant effort, they suffered a setback in the 5th-place semi-final against Japan, ultimately losing to Fiji in the 7th-place playoff and finishing in 8th position.
The men's team demonstrated their prowess on the field, facing France in their pool play-off. After a tough defeat, they regrouped and faced the third-placed New Zealand, emerging victorious with a score of 19-26. The men's squad then faced Australia, narrowly losing 21-24, and a loss to France in the 7th-place playoff on Sunday saw them finish in 8th place.
Great Britain Sevens Director of Rugby, Ciaran Beattie, reflected on the tournament, stating, "The women's results were tough, but we're gathering valuable insights about our players, and we're making progress. The men's squad showed incredible determination, winning against New Zealand and competing in every game. The men's competition is incredibly tight, with New Zealand and Great Britain both placing in the top 8, highlighting the high caliber of the tournament."
The tournament also featured the World Series Singapore 2026, where the British teams faced a series of challenging matches. The men's pool fixtures included a 36-10 loss to France, a 19-26 victory over New Zealand, and a 24-21 defeat to Australia. The women's team faced a formidable lineup, losing to Australia 54-5, Canada 45-7, and France 42-10.
On Day 2, the women's team fought valiantly in the 5th-place semi-final against Japan, but fell short with a score of 29-7. The men's team faced Spain in the 5th-place semi-final, losing 28-19. The women's team then faced Fiji in the 7th-place playoff, suffering a 41-5 defeat, while the men's team lost to France 24-17 in the 7th-place playoff, finishing in 8th place overall.
Despite the setbacks, the British teams displayed resilience and determination, leaving Australia with valuable lessons learned and a renewed sense of purpose as they prepare for future tournaments.
