Emus World Cup Preview: Men's 30s

19 teams are set to contest the 2024 Touch World Cup Men’s 30s division, making it the largest Masters division at this year’s event. In 2019, the Athelite Australian Emus were a class above, going through the tournament undefeated before overcoming a valiant effort against South Africa to reclaim the Gold. This year, the division has been split into two pools for the first time ever.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Men’s 30s division.

 

Participating Teams

Pool A

• Australia
• Canada
• Cook Islands
• England
• Ireland
• Luxembourg
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United States

Pool B

• Belgium
• France
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Wales

 

The Numbers That Matter

7 – Seven different nations (Australia, Cook Islands, England, Lebanon, New Zealand, Samoa, and South Africa) have contested the Gold Medal match in the Men’s 30s division. This is comfortably the largest range of Grand Finalists from all the divisions contested over the years.

12 – Twelve members of the Men’s 30s team (including coaching staff) will be making their Australian debut this July.

45 – A record dating back to 2003, the Australian Men’s 30s team are 45 games undefeated. An outstanding record and testament to the history of Australian Masters’ Touch Football, it is currently the longest active winning streak in international Touch Football. The latest Men’s 30s side will be looking to reach the half-century mark this July.

 

Athelite Emus to Watch

Madalitso Masache – Playing at his second Touch World Cup, Madalitso Masache is one of the best finishers in Touch Football today. Through his dives in the corner or blistering pace, the New South Welshman only needs half an opportunity to score. An outstanding aerial finisher, the acrobatic winger will be tough to stop. With one of the best highlight reels in the game today, look to Madalitso to add to his eight tries for Australia in Nottingham.

Dave Zanette – One of Touch Football’s great leaders, Dave Zanette is set to compete in his third Touch World Cup, returning to the Men’s 30s side where he won Gold in 2015.  In a career of many accolades and achievements, his greatest performance arguably came five years ago in Malaysia, when he produced a herculean man of the match display to wrestle the Gold Medal off New Zealand in the Men’s 35s division. His most defining moment came very late in the game, when he produced a length-of-the-field chase to make a clutch dive on New Zealand’s Luke Champman, ultimately deciding the game. It’s a play that has gone down in Emus folklore. Dave Zanette’s influence isn’t limited to his tenacity and passing ability on the field, come the moments that matter in this tournament, the Athelite Australian Emus will look to Z-Man for that extra bit of inspiration to get them over the line.

 

Toughest Match-Ups

New Zealand – Our Trans-Tasman rivals will be competing in the Men’s 30s division for the first time since 2003. Prior to their 21-year hiatus, the Kiwis were regular finalists in the division, although never taking home the Gold. The last time they fielded a Men’s 30s team was 2017, when they lost the Trans-Tasman Test Series to Australia three games to none. Despite limited outings, you can never doubt the Kiwis on a Touch Footy field and should their paths cross this tournament, expect there to be fireworks.  

England – The 2023 European Champions looked dominant on their way to Gold, going the tournament undefeated. In the final they emerged victorious over France in a tight affair, showcasing their ability to reach another level in the close matches. In 2019, they failed to take home a medal (ironically losing the Bronze Medal Match to France) but a lot of Touch has been played since and the hosts will be feeling confident about their abilities.  

France – In 2019, France earned the Bronze Medal after defeating England eight tries to seven. Despite finishing the round-robin stage with three wins, three losses and one draw, the French stood up when the time was right, taking the lead in the 39th minute to secure the medal. The result saw them finish third at the second time of asking (first taking Bronze in 2011). The Aussies will be watching their clash with New Zealand closely, providing some potential insight into what they may face later in the tournament. 

 

Athelite Australian Emus Fixtures*

Day 1 Fixtures: July 15

• 5:20pm VS United States

Day 2 Fixtures: July 16

• 10:40am VS Switzerland
• 3:40pm VS Sweden

Day 3 Fixtures: July 17

• 09:50am VS Spain
• 2:00pm VS Luxembourg

Day 4 Fixtures: July 18

• 10:40am VS Ireland
• 2:00pm VS England
• 5:20pm VS Cook Islands

Day 5 Fixtures: July 19

• 11:20am VS Canada

Day 6 Fixtures: July 20

• 11:30am Quarter Finals 1, 2, 3, 4
• 5:55pm Playoff Qualifier
• 5:55pm Semi Finals 1, 2

Day 7 Fixtures: July 21

• 8:00am Playoffs
• 1:00pm Bronze Medal
• 2:00pm Gold Medal

*Draft draw, subject to change. All times are shown in local England time zones. Follow Touch Football Australia (TFA) on social media for all up-to-date schedule information.

To see the Men’s 30s draw in its entirety, CLICK HERE

 

Last Word: The Men’s 30s Gold Medal match will be the final match of the Masters division at this year’s World Cup. With the Bronze Medal match being contested just an hour earlier, the results of this division may be crucial to determining who takes home the Masters’ World Cup.

The 2024 FIT Touch World Cup begins July 15 in Nottingham, England. Follow TFA’s socials on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all updates before and throughout the World Cup.

All Stats Courtesy of the Touch Almanac by Cary Thompson