Australia stormed to the HSBC Sydney Sevens title on Sunday, beating defending HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series champions New Zealand 31-0 in the Cup final to lift the distinctive trophy.

In doing so, they became the first nation in women’s series history to win a tournament on home soil.

But, more significantly, they became the first to go through an entire tournament without conceding a single try in men’s or women’s series history. Some achievement considering the men's series began back in 1999-2000.

Australia, led by co-captains Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams, ran in 35 tries and scored 213 points across their six matches at Allianz Stadium to claim their second title of the 2018 series after their victory in Dubai last December.

Coach Tim Walsh described himself as “stoked with the way that we performed” and that “defence is all in the desire and attitude and they certainly showed that”.

Gold medal moment

But how were the Olympic champions able to produce “clearly the best defence we’ve ever had” in Walsh's words?

We asked commentator Sean Maloney for his thoughts on Australia’s mindset in Sydney and the key to them keeping their try-line unbroken as they swept aside Spain (29-0), Papua New Guinea (50-0) and France (43-0) in the pool stages and then Spain (29-0) and Russia (31-0) to reach the final.

“The key was their commitment and composure,” Maloney said.

“There was a moment in the final against New Zealand where Tyla Nathan-Wong toed ahead, Vani Pelite raced back to regather on her five-metre line before New Zealand were awarded a scrum which in turn rolled into a penalty.

“Now, in sevens, 99 per cent of the time that leads to a try to the attacking team, but Australia forced the women in black back then scored through Charlotte Caslick two minutes later. That was the game. Those repeated efforts on the line turned the gold medal in their direction.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see it again in the women’s or men’s series. It’s a ridiculous result, it really is.”

Deadly finishing

Australia had only finished fourth on home soil in the inaugural Sydney Sevens last year, was that the motivation behind their record-breaking tournament or perhaps the approaching end of Walsh’s time in charge of the women’s programme?

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“For me, it was more about that group of women correcting the wrongs from a year previous,” added Maloney. “They came in relaxed and hell-bent on redemption, Walshy had conceded he got the preparation wrong in 2017 … fool him once.”

“It was not a whole different from Dubai where they only conceded an average of a try a game. They were just more deadly with the ball in Sydney.

“Emma Sykes is really growing into her playmaking role, she had some great touches. Em Cherry was probably only at 80 per cent on the weekend and the others picked up around her.

“It was also the most lethal I’ve seen Emma Tonegato. She’s just a ball of excitement on and off the pitch. Her try against Spain (see video) was the best of the 79 games played across the whole tournament.

“They all work so hard for one another, every one of them aimed up in clutch situations.”