Australia coach Tim Walsh believes with a bit more composure and “rub of the green” his charges are on the verge of winning another title on the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, which continues in Atlanta next weekend.
Walsh’s side have lost the last four title deciders to New Zealand and he has made just one change to the side beaten in the Sao Paulo final last month with playmaker Brooke Walker coming in for Nikki Etheridge.
The 19-year-old joined the national sevens programme as a contracted player at the start of this year and her inclusion brings the average age of the 12-strong squad to play in Atlanta down to just 22.
“Brooke is a fantastic distributor of the ball, she plays with so much time and has a smart rugby brain,” explained Walsh. “She is a great defender too and will complement working with the likes of (Charlotte) Caslick and (Alicia) Quirk. Her selection gives us a little more depth in that area.”
Australia will face France, Fiji and Spain in Pool B at the Fifth-Third Bank Stadium and while Walsh is hoping for a third Cup title for his team, he is quick to point out that they will not be underestimating any of their opponents.
“I honestly don't think we’re far away from winning a tournament,” insisted Walsh, whose side sit four points behind world and series champions New Zealand after two of the six rounds in 2014-15.
“In my opinion, we have been the best team but we lacked a bit of composure to win those games. You look at the stats and we’re the top points scorers, dominating ball, turnovers and we’re pretty disciplined.
“I’m proud of how the girls performed in that last tournament but we just lacked that touch of composure. It’s that rub of the green too – one decision goes one way, the bounce of the ball goes another way and you’re right on the back foot. We haven’t had any luck in those last two tournaments and I believe it will turn as long as we prepare well and remain positive.
“It’s not just about New Zealand though. The competition is such a high standard. Canada, France, England, Fiji ... We have a tough pool in Atlanta, no doubt about that.
“The French are predictably unpredictable! In that last tournament, they were well beaten by New Zealand on day one and very nearly beat them the next day – that’s rugby sevens for you! If Fiji is on their game, they’ll be a real battle for us. We don’t take anyone lightly and we’ll be focusing all our attention on that pool first and foremost.”
Australia squad: Charlotte Caslick, Emilee Cherry, Chloe Dalton, Ellia Green, Shannon Parry, Evania Pelite, Tiana Penitani, Alicia Quirk, Emma Tonegato, Amy Turner, Brooke Walker, Sharni Williams (captain)
Two changes for France
France, fresh from finishing fourth in the opening two rounds of their first series as a core team, have again kept largely the same squad with coaches David Courteix and Eric Lombarteix making only two changes for Atlanta.
Jade le Pesq and Chloé Pelle are the two new players, coming in for LinaGuérin - who links up with the 15s squad for the Women's Six Nations match with Italy - and Audrey Amiel, for a tournament in which France will hope to build on performances in Dubai and Sao Paulo that have seen them beat England and give world and series champions New Zealand a scare.
France squad: Pauline Biscarat, Camille Grassineau, Elodie Guiglion, Fanny Horta (captain), Shannon Izar, Caroline Ladagnous, Christelle le Duff, Jade le Pesq, Laurianne Lissar, Marjorie Mayans, Chloé Pelle, Jennifer Troncy.
Blow for Spain
The obvious name missing from Spain's squad for the Atlanta Sevens is Patricia García, who is sidelined with a broken hand and will be badly missed by a side looking for their first Cup quarter-final appearance of the series.
Coach José Antonio Barrio has named a squad showing three changes from that which lost the Bowl final to Fiji in Sao Paulo last month with África Félez, Amaia Erbina and María Ribera coming in to replace García, Alexandra Castillon and Irene Schiavon.
Spain squad: Berta García, Paula Medín, Vanesa Rial, Bárbara Pla, África Félez, Elisabet Martínez, María Casado, Amaia Erbina, Iera Echebarría, María Ribera, Laura Esbrí, Ángela Del Pan.
Fiji ring the changes
Fijiana coach Iliesa Tanivula has made six changes to his squad for the Atlanta Sevens, bringing in Luisa Basei, Esiteri Bulikiobo, Rusila Nagasau, Litia Naiqato, Timaima Ravisa and Asinate Savu who all missed the trip to Sao Paulo when the side won the Bowl.
It will be a World Series debut for Naiqato, while Tanivula has handed the captaincy to Ana Maria Roqica for round three of the 2014-15 Series.
"It's a bit of experience and new players in the team. Our goal is to do well and go a step up from the previous sevens tournament," said Tanivula.
Fiji squad: Luisa Basei, Esiteri Bulikiobo, Brittany Coates, Ana Maria Roqica (captain), Rusila Nagasau, Litia Naiqato, Roela Radiniyavuni, Timaima Ravisa, Asinate Savu, Timaima Tamoi, Lavenia Tinai, Talica Vodo.
