Women’s Sevens confident of further growth in quest for Olympic redemption

Women’s team coach Tim Walsh believes the best is yet to come as they aim to return to the Olympic podium in Paris.

The Australians are heading into the Olympics with a very different preparation, as the World Series was cancelled due to COVID.

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In contrast, Tim Walsh’s team is seen as one of the favourites for the gold medal after winning the Grand Final in Madrid.

Walsh admits the Madrid event was far from their best weekend, but he is happy with the manner in which they won.

“We didn’t play well in that semi-final, except for the last two minutes,” Walsh told reporters.

“I think that’s a really good sign, that you can’t play at your best and still get a result. It could easily have been the other way around, if Maddi (Levi) doesn’t score that try or Tia (Hinds) misses that kick and it goes to extra time.

“In Sevens, three of your six games come down to a moment or a final moment. This season we’ve been very good at winning those moments.

“If you analyse that game, we didn’t play well but we found a way to win, which was great. Riding the rollercoaster and being consistently good, that’s the goal.”

Captain Charlotte Caslick believes the ‘uninterrupted’ preparation offers the team the best chance of emulating their gold medal magic in Rio.

Caslick is one of seven returning players from Tokyo, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals after a surprise loss to Fiji.

“Our preparation has been much better,” Caslick said.

“I feel like we’re in a much better physical shape than we were before Tokyo. The group seems to be in really good shape mentally, physically and spiritually.

“Everyone seems to be humming, so I’m really excited to get out there.”