No program in Australia Rugby has enjoyed more success than the Australian Sevens in 2022.
After a disappointing 2021, both teams enjoyed fairytale runs to World Series titles, with the Women completing the Triple Crown with Commonwealth and World Cup success.
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With that, a number of stars were created in the process as the next generation of talent made their name on the International scene.
Rugby.com.au looks at the five key talking points for the Sevens sides heading into 2023.
1.Building on brilliance
Last year’s Triple Crown sets a near-impossible bar to reach in 2023, with Tim Walsh and the side out to continue their dominance.
It was the perfect bounce-back after a lacklustre Olympic campaign, putting the quarter-final exit behind them in emphatic fashion.
The return of the Black Ferns as regular competition will keep them on their toes, splitting the opening two legs in Dubai and Cape Town.
The defeat in Cape Town was a major reality check, dominated by a Kiwi side missing the likes of Portia Woodman, Ruby Tui and Stacey Fluhler.
They'll get the perfect chance for revenge when the tour heads to Hamilton before returning to home soil
2. The hunted
The Men enter 2023 with a target firmly on their backs after their World Series success.
They took the perfect first step with a historic Hong Kong drought, before falling in Dubai and Cape Town.
The Sevens circuit has never been more competitive, with ten points separating the top eight as the likes of Samoa emerge as genuine title contenders.
The consistency drove John Manenti’s side to the title, needing to recapture it with eight legs remaining.
3. Filling the hole
Corey Toole’s departure is a significant loss to the Men’s side as he makes the trip to the 15-a-a-side game.
Toole used the 2021-22 Series as the perfect launching platform for his career, showcasing his X-Factor on the world stage after starring for Gungahlin.
However, it leaves the Australians missing a key game-breaker, only amplified by Maurice Longbottom’s injury that left him unable to take the field in Cape Town.
4. New sensations
2022 saw a number of players emerge as genuine superstars of World Rugby, headlined by Toole, Maddison Levi, Faith Nathan and Dietrich Roache.
Both squads remain boosted by the next generation of players eager to make similar leaps.
Bella Nasser and Faythe Manera got their debuts in Cape Town and loom as the next in waiting for the Triple Crown winners.
The likes of Tia Hinds and Teagan Levi are primed to experience similar breakout seasons, continuing to fine-tune and embrace their roles in Tim Walsh's squad.
Meanwhile, Darby Lancaster and Kye Oates are key members of the Men’s side, joined by the impressive Dally Bird after his powerful performance on debut last event.
5. No place like home
January 27-29, 2023 is a date the Sevens programs have been looking forward to for a long term as the HSBC World Series return to Sydney.
Allianz Stadium will be pumping as fans flock back to the exciting format, creating the party atmosphere the event is renowned for.
With this comes expectations, entering as not only World Series Champions but defending Sydney title holders.
The last time Tim Walsh’s side played at Moore Park they didn’t concede a point, whilst the Men rode the home support to upset South Africa.
If there is any event to win, it's this, particularly for the Women as they continue their battle with the Black Ferns, who host their own event a week earlier.
