Five reasons to tune in for the women’s HSBC SVNS Perth

What better way to kick-off 2025 than with a SVNS spectacular in the sun Down Under? 

The players are ready, Perth's HBF Park is looking resplendent and here are five unarguable reasons as to why you should not miss a moment when the action gets underway 24-26 January. 

1. Find out if revenge is a dish best served 12 months late and under a hot sun...? 

Current Walleroo Sera Naiqama felt the pain of her sevens sisters when they went down 19-14 to Ireland in front of a sellout HBF Park in the final of last year's HSBC SVNS Perth. In fact, she has seen the remnants of that defeat in many of the team's blockbuster performances since. 

"I guess they carried that quite personally because as an international player myself, I know that the games that you get to play in homes are the ones that matter most to you," Naiqama said, ahead of the 2025 tournament. 

The second row, who this year has swapped the commentary mic for a role as a Perth SVNS Ambassador, is expecting the crowd to get just what they want this time around. 

"When we did the pool draw we were able to speak to Timmy Walsh (Australia's head coach) and he was saying that this tournament is an opportunity for them to display all the hard work they have done," Naiqama added. "For them to be able to seal the title in their home city is something they are really passionate about." 

2. Watch the world's most exciting teams go full gas

While it is clear who Naiqama wants to lift the trophy in front of 20,000-plus fans on 26 January, there are three other teams in particular that she is relishing the chance to watch live. 

"It's a bit of a cliche but I cannot wait to see New Zealand," she said of the current SVNS Series league leaders. "It's always such a good battle for Trans Tasman bragging rights.

"And then a team that I'm really excited to see in action is the USA. They've had a really big turnover after the Olympic campaign, with a lot of new players coming through, like Nia Toliver. She absolutely carved up in the first two legs of the series.

"Finally, France, for me they always kind of sit at the top end but can never quite nip it past a semi final, or even if they do make a final, they (often) fall short of finishing with the chocolate. So let's see what they can do." 

3. Set your alarms to catch try-machine Toliver

It is worth digging a little deeper on Naiqama pick Nia Toliver. Even among such luminaries as Maddison Levi (AUS), Jorga Miller (NZL) and Anne-Cecile Ciofani (FRA) the USA flier has stood out. 

In her first season at the top level, the 26-year-old has already notched a remarkable 13 tries in nine matches. But statistics do no do justice to the influence she is having on a young USA side. Take the semi-final in Cape Town. After a try early in the second half dragged her team back into it, Toliver waited until the clock was red and then simply waltzed round three Australian defenders to win if for The Eagles. 

If the USA are to go one better than their silver last time out, Toliver will surely have a another starring role to play. 

4. Could New Zealand's 'Perth curse' strikes again?

The only time in seven HSBC SVNS tournaments that New Zealand have failed to reach the final came 12 months ago in Perth's rocking HBF Park. In fact, not only did the Black Ferns fail to square off for gold, they ended up fifth, after being beaten 24-14 by the hosts in the quarter-finals. 

That defeat ended a 20-match unbeaten streak on Aussie soil. Could it have any lingering effects this time around? 

To be fair, it looks unlikely. Since that fifth-place finish the reigning Olympic champions won the final four SVNS regular season stops last year, before kicking off this campaign with silver in Dubai and another gold in Cape Town. Still, the rest can hope.

5. Another green day in the sunshine capital?

If New Zealand have the odd bad memory to shake off, the reigning Perth champions, Ireland, may well be watching all of last season's tournament matches on repeat. 

The only team other than New Zealand or Australia to so far win a women's SVNS tournament secured their moment in the sun in remarkable style. And while they have not yet hit those heights since - and have lost a slew of experience, including long-time skipper Lucy Mulhall - they do have two enviable weapons. 

Amee Leigh Costigan (203 tries in 233 matches) and Eve Higgins (79 in 199 matches) have touchdown records to die for, and both love the hard pitches in Perth, having scored in that incredible 2024 final. Ireland's always vociferous support will be hoping for much more of the same.