Levi Sisters Prioritize Olympic Redemption, Decline NRLW Offers After Re-Signing with Rugby Australia
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A commitment to reclaiming Olympic glory has led Australian rugby sevens stars Maddison and Teagan Levi to turn down lucrative offers from the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition, opting instead to re-sign with rugby Australia through at least 2028. The sisters, still reeling from a disappointing 2024 Olympic campaign, indicated that they were close to finalizing a deal for a one-off appearance in the NRLW this year, with Rugby Australia reportedly approving negotiations with a rugby league club. This wasn’t the first time the pair had explored a potential switch; a previous request to participate in the NRLW was denied at the end of 2024. However, the lingering pain of narrowly missing a medal in Paris proved to be the deciding factor.
australia’s Olympic hopes were dashed in Paris following a series of unexpected upsets,resulting in a fourth-place finish. “paris left us all a bit rattled,” said Maddison Levi, widely considered one of the world’s best women’s sevens players. “We were in the best position to get that Olympic gold medal.”
Concerns Over Timing and Preparation
A key consideration in declining the NRLW opportunity was the tight timeframe between the conclusion of the international sevens season on June 7 and the start of the NRLW season in july. maddison Levi explained the potential drawbacks, stating, “We’d be coming straight off a season into an NRLW season…The toll our body takes under sevens, and to not have a pre-season underneath us and go out and play league, it’s probably a bit selfish on our part, not having played before.”
The sisters also expressed a desire to make a significant impact should they transition to rugby league. “Teags,being a half or a playmaker,she can’t really play-make much if people don’t know how she plays,” Maddison Levi added. “Being well-known sevens athletes, going over there, we wont to go over and make our mark. And if we go over under-prepared…we wanted to fully be able to transition and show the NRLW how we play.”
A Love of the Game Trumps Financial Incentives
Despite the financial appeal of an NRLW contract, the Levi sisters ultimately prioritized their passion for rugby sevens and the pursuit of Olympic success. “Money, it’s nice, but it’s not the be-all and end-all,” Maddison Levi emphasized. “We both play for the love of the game and ultimately, that’s kind of why we turned it down.” The sentiment reflects a deep commitment to the sevens program and a belief in their potential to achieve their ultimate goal.
Multi-Sport Background and Future Possibilities
This isn’t the first foray into other sports for either sister.Maddison Levi previously played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) in 2021, while Teagan Levi has also experienced Super Rugby with the queensland Reds.
While the immediate focus remains on sevens, the door to a potential cross-code move remains open, notably with australia set to host the 2029 Women’s World Cup. “A hundred per cent, to be a dual athlete would be such a surreal experience. it’s definitely not off the cards,” Teagan Levi stated. “I whent and played at the (Super Rugby team Queensland) Reds for a little bit, and that was a great experience in itself. Again, the timing didn’t really work out with the seasons, but that door’s definitely not shut either.”
The Levi sisters’ decision underscores their dedication to rugby sevens and their unwavering pursuit of Olympic redemption. They believe they’ve lost enough to know what it takes to win gold in Los Angeles, and are fully focused on achieving that goal.
