Rugby Australia Welcomes Teagan Levi Back with Open Arms
Rugby Australia is set to welcome back one of its most promising talents, Teagan Levi, after she made the bold decision to take a sabbatical in 2026. The move comes as part of her commitment to the Gold Coast Titans, where she will explore a new challenge in rugby league. This decision marks a significant shift in her career, as she steps away from the sevens scene to test herself in a different format of the game.
Levi and her older sister, Maddison, signed contract extensions with Rugby Australia in January that will run until the end of 2028. These contracts include the Los Angeles Olympics, which are set to be a major focus for both sisters. However, the agreements also included sabbatical options, and Teagan has chosen to take advantage of this opportunity.
Teagan remains eligible for selection for Australia’s two remaining 2025-26 sevens tournaments in Spain (May 29-31) and France (June 5-7). She is expected to return to the sevens circuit in time for the next World Sevens Series, which will begin in Dubai on November 29-30. Meanwhile, the NRLW season for the Titans is set to kick off against the Sydney Roosters on July 4, with the grand final scheduled for October 4.
A New Chapter for Teagan Levi
“I’m really excited to be joining the Titans under Murph (coach Karyn Murphy),” said Teagan, 22. “I want to test myself and keep growing as a person and a player, and this opportunity allows me to step out of my comfort zone, which I can’t wait to do in front of my family and friends in my hometown.”
The decision to switch to rugby league was not made lightly. For years, Teagan had considered making the move but wanted to ensure she could commit fully to the new challenge. “Making the switch to league has always been on my mind, but I wanted to make sure I was able to be all-in and giving 100 per cent to Murph and the rest of my Titans teammates,” she added.
She also emphasized the importance of representing the Gold Coast. “I’ve never been able to represent the Gold Coast before, so to not just do that but be part of a team that creates history winning the first premiership for this region would be a privilege and really excites me.”
The Impact on Rugby Australia
While Teagan’s move to the Titans is a significant development, it does not mean the end of her involvement with Rugby Australia. The national body is confident that she will return to the sevens circuit once her sabbatical concludes. However, the focus is currently on the immediate future, with the upcoming tournaments in Spain and France being key events for the Australian team.
The Titans have long been interested in recruiting both Teagan and her sister, Maddison. However, Rugby Australia is not expecting Maddison to follow in her sister’s footsteps at this stage. Maddison, 24, is regarded as one of the best players in women’s sevens, alongside New Zealand’s Jorja Miller. Her presence in the sevens scene continues to be a major asset for the Australian team.
A Growing Career
Tough-tackling Teagan has played in 31 world series tournaments since her debut as an 18-year-old in 2021. Her experience on the global stage has made her a valuable player, and her decision to take on a new challenge in rugby league highlights her ambition and desire to grow as an athlete.
The Titans finished sixth last season and were beaten by the Newcastle Knights in week one of the finals. Despite this, the team remains optimistic about the future, especially with the addition of Teagan Levi.
“It’s a huge coup to have Teagan return to her hometown and join us for the 2026 season,” said the coach. “She’s been on the world stage wearing the green and gold in significant tournaments the past few years, and her big-game experience and exposure to high performance environments will be valuable for our upcoming campaign.”
