The Australians have rallied after a shaky start to start Sydney with a 28-12 victory over Brazil.
The hosts found themselves locked at 7-all with the South Americans after Thalia Costa raced away to answer Bienne Terita's early try.
HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!
However, Terita's second and tries to Madison Ashby and Teagan Levi helped seal the result despite the below-standard performance.
“It was good to get the win but it wasn’t the greatest performance,” Walsh admits.
“We were falling off tackles, they looked heavy. I think the emotion and excitement of it made them tighten up but it was a good hit-out.
“We had to work hard at times and show some desire to chase them back. It’s a good way to start and hopefully we can build from that.
“It’s game one and we want to keep building into the tournament so I’m not concerned.”
Terita got the Triple-Crown winners off to a flyer, catching the Brazil defence sliding before sprinting away inside 60 seconds.
Brazil refused to give up and enjoyed their own periods of dominance in the first half, capped off by a try to Thalia Costa.
The hosts kept their heads and despite several uncharacteristic mistakes found themselves in front 14-7 at the break after Madison Ashby sliced through a gaping hole.
In a wild start to the second half, a superb try-saver from Maddison Levi stopped a certain five-pointer to Costa, before Terita’s second left everyone out on their feet.
The injection of fresh bodies helped close out the game, with Teagan Levi diving over after a Charlotte Caslick break to close out the match.
"The nerves showed in that game but it was good to get it out of the way," Ashby believes.
"I think our defence was a little iffy, we talked about going low and we didn't but it's good to get that out of the way and get off to a good start."
Australia 28 (TRIES: Terita, Ashby, T. Levi; CONS: Williams 3, Du Toit) def Brazil 12 (TRIES: Costa, de Souza; CONS: Campos)
