Emus World Cup Preview: Senior Mixed

The 2024 Touch World Cup is set to host the largest-ever Senior Mixed division. After claiming Gold in 2015 and 2019, Australia will be aiming to achieve their first-ever three-peat in the division; a feat only matched by New Zealand (1999, 2007, and 2011). It won’t be easy for the Australians, with several old foes and new rivals waiting for them in Nottingham.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Senior Mixed division.  

 

Participating Teams

Pool A 

• Australia 

• Cayman Islands 

• England 

• France 

• Germany 

• Hong Kong 

• Samoa 

• United States 

• Wales 

Pool B 

• Chile 

• China 

• Cook Islands 

• Fiji 

• Ireland 

• Italy 

• New Zealand 

• Scotland 

 

The Numbers That Matter

16 – Carly Walsh led the way for the Australian side in 2019, crossing the line 16 times on her way to winning a Gold Medal. With 26 tries to date, Carly will be eager to get in touching distance of the half-century mark with a strong campaign. 

23 – A record which started in 2015, the Australian Senior Mixed team are currently 23 games unbeaten at Touch World Cup tournaments. This is already the all-time World Cup record for the Senior Mixed division (surpassing New Zealand’s record of 18 games), and they’ll be hoping they can keep that streak going in 2024.  

2009 – Making her Masters debut, Kelly Jones will don an Australian jersey for the first time since 2009, when she represented the Australian Mixed 20s side. Although losing the series to New Zealand, she led the way for her side on that occasion with five tries scored across the three games contested.  

 

Athelite Australian Emus to Watch

Justin Otto – A veteran of the sport, expect Justin Otto to be a handful for defenders across the park with his bursts of pace and playmaking ability. After years of terrifying defences, the Queenslander is set to don the green and gold for the first time in his career. He’ll be bringing plenty of Touch Football IQ to this Senior Mixed side, with his timing and deception with the ball in hand not matched by many in the division. 

Manu Wakely – Manu will travel to England for his fifth World Cup in the Senior Mixed division, the most ever by an Australian in this division. Not just a member of the side over the years, he's been instrumental to each of the three Gold Medals he has won, including earning the Coach’s Award in 2011. A technically gifted player, Manu has plenty of experience in Mixed Touch Football at all levels of the game and has the skill and knowledge to once again thrive on the international stage. In a side that changes from tournament to tournament, Manu’s consistency in the green and gold is truly admirable and ensures that he is a standout member of this team. 

Kelly Jones – Making her long-awaited and earned Masters debut, Jones brings plenty of expertise and insights to the Senior Mixed contingent. A player with a fantastic skill set, she recently made her Queensland debut in the Women’s 27s team, winning the series two games to one. Her presence on the field will be felt early on and will most certainly elevate the performance of those around her. 

 

Toughest Match-Ups

New Zealand – New Zealand, are the most successful nation in the Senior Mixed division alongside Australia, taking home Gold on three occasions. The Kiwis have a rich history in Senior Mixed Touch with some of the greatest players in the sport plying their trade in this division, including Peter Walters, George Kahnke, and Barry Clemas. Of their 14 encounters on the Touch World Cup stage, Australia have only got the better of New Zealand on five occasions. Should their paths cross this tournament, expect the battle with our Trans-Tasman rivals to be one of the toughest in the tournament. 

Cook Islands – The Cook Islands shocked the world in 2019 when they defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals to compete in their first-ever Touch World Cup Gold Medal match. Despite falling short in Malaysia, the Pacific nation won the hearts of Touch Football fans all around the world and they didn’t go down without a fight. Five years on and the team looks slightly different. One member of the 2019 team who will be returning is Head Coach Terry Joe, who also got on the scoresheet that historical day. A proud Touch Football nation that will compete until the final minute, the Cook Islands will be hoping to win more than just the hearts of Touch Football fans this July. 

England – In 2023, the English side went undefeated as they were crowned champions of the continent. With three out of their eight opponents' European rivals, the hosts will fancy their chances of progressing deep into the competition. Outside of their day four clash with Australia, look to their Round 3 match with France (at the European Championships in 2023, the two nations drew during the Round Robin stage) as a pivotal moment in the layout of this division come finals time.  

 

Athelite Australian Emus Fixtures*

Day 1 Fixtures: July 15 

• 6:10pm VS Wales 

Day 2 Fixtures: July 16 

• 1:10pm VS United States 

• 6:10pm VS Samoa 

Day 3 Fixtures: July 17 

• 11:30am VS Hong Kong 

• 4:30pm VS Germany 

Day 4 Fixtures: July 18 

• 9:50am VS France 

• 1:10pm VS England 

Day 5 Fixtures: July 19 

• 8:50am VS Cayman Islands 

Day 6 Fixtures: July 20 

• 10:35am Quarter Finals 1, 2, 3, 4 

• 11:30am Playoff Qualifier 

• 1:20pm Semi Finals 1, 2 

• 3:10pm Playoffs 

Day 7 Fixtures: July 21 

• 10:00am Playoffs 

• 11:00am Bronze Medal 

• 12:00pm 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 Senior Mixed draw in its entirety, CLICK HERE 
 

Last Word: With 18 teams set to compete and fresh matchups and intense rematches on offer, expect a surprise or two in England. 

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