Returning Sevens star Matt Gonzalez is eager to deliver success as the Australians chase the SVNS title in Madrid.
The Aussies qualified as the fourth-best side for the winner-takes-all event in Spain, which will see the top eight teams battle it out for the overall title.
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The importance of the event is lost on the scrumhalf, set to celebrate his 31st birthday on Saturday.
“This jersey is really important to everyone in this team and putting on this jersey is really special," he told Rugby.com.au
“I think every time you put on this jersey you think about how much it means to you, your family and your support group at home.
“You’re playing for yourself and your country and we’re playing for them.
“To win Madrid would be something else. It’s the first time this format has happened and essentially every game is a Grand Final and it would be unbelievable.”
The Eastwood half missed last month's event in Singapore after suffering a nasty elbow injury in the first game in Hong Kong.
Given the timing of the incident, Gonzalez had to quickly park any thoughts of missing the Olympics as he channelled all his energy into rehab.
“Yeah I did a pretty good job of it," Gonzalez said and smiled. "Unfortunately, it was a bit of friendly fire with my good, very large friend Nathan Lawson.
“It was a tough first couple of weeks because of the timing and the nature of this year with Madrid and the Olympics, your mind automatically goes to the worst possible outcome.
“There was potential talks about getting surgery but if I had that, it would’ve ruled me out for the rest of the year so that was not an option.
“I just tried to stay positive but I’ve got a great support group around me with my family and coaching staff really pushing me to get through the injury to get back to 100%."
Australia has been drawn alongside Argentina, Great Britain and France in Pool A, with New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and Ireland making up the other Pool.
Argentina claimed the League winners title after edging out Ireland by two points with the French welcoming back scrumhalf Antoine Dupont following his success with Toulouse.
Gonzalez backed the Aussies to match it with the best in the world, stressing the importance of maintaining their focus throughout the weekend.
“We’ve got to dig deep. We have a really good team and when we’re on, we’re one of the top teams in the world so it’s just about always being one, taking it one game at a time and not thinking about the end picture," he believes.
“We’re focused on what’s in front of us which is that first game against France so we’ll focus on that and then we’ll move onto the next one."
