2024 will see the Sevens program firmly in the spotlight as the build to Paris begins.
Both teams will enter the new year full of confidence after their top-two finishes in Cape Town.
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It'll start with the first event ever in Perth before the inaugural SVNS Final in Madrid.
However, the prize everyone is chasing is Olympic gold, with the Australians carrying extra motivations after Tokyo.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au looks at the five key talking points for the Sevens sides heading into 2023.
1. Team to beat
In the space of a fortnight, the Australians have put aside their disappointing 2022-23 campaign and established their credentials as the best team on the circuit.
Before December, 2023 looked like becoming a blackout as the New Zealanders dominated the World Series with five straight wins. However, a pair of titles in Dubai and Cape Town has swung the ledger back in Australia’s favour.
There is a noticeable growth in the younger players of Tim Walsh’s squad. Teagan Levi and Bienne Terita are genuine game-changers whilst newcomers Bella Nasser and Kaitlan Shave have carved out their place in the squad.
They have depth waiting in the wings, with Triple Crown winners Lily Dick and Tia Hinds potential replacements for Demi Hayes, who could be set for a long stint on the sidelines after her knee injury.
The Kiwis will be reeling after the loss of captain Sarah Hirini, although Player of the Year Tyla Nathan-Wong is an excellent replacement. It sets up an exciting season ahead of the July Olympics, with hosts France quietly building as a threat after upsetting NZ in Cape Town
2. Michael’s maiden voyage
For the first time in over a decade, Michael Hooper will embark on a new challenge: dominating the Sevens circuit.
Hooper will officially become a Sevens player on January 1, eyeing a debut on home soil.
The four-time John Eales Medalist is renowned for his work ethic but the repeat acceleration and sprints in the shortened format are like no other.
He adds significant value on and off the field with his experience in a Sevens squad building confidence after their second-place finish in Cape Town
3. Olympic redemption
The memories of Tokyo will be drilled into both squads' minds as Tim Walsh and John Manenti look to prevent a repeat.
Both teams were eliminated by Fiji in the quarter-finals, with the Women crashing down to Earth after gold medal ambitions.
The teams have found considerable success since the coach swap but the scars of Olympics disappointment are still referenced by players to this day.
They need success early in the year to set the platform and build confidence before they reach the Stade de France.
On top of this, the timing of the event presents a great opportunity to lay the platform for the entire Olympic team.
The men will play their pool stages game before the Opening Ceremony and are a legitimate chance for Australia’s first medals of the event. The women’s medal matches take place three days later as Australia could be either in the middle of a gold rush or needing a spark
4. Perth pressure
On the redemption theme, the new event in Perth is a fitting start to the 2024 calendar.
The return of the Sevens circuit to Australia was welcomed by all until both sides were dumped out in the quarters by France.
As the World Series heads to Perth, both teams will be desperate to not only rectify last year’s disappointments but christen the new tournament with victory.
The Women will likely be without Maddison Levi for the majority of the event after her red card whilst the Men could welcome back the likes of Henry Hutchison and Paterson, Hadley Tonga and Hooper.
Perth has shown its support for big Rugby events in the past and the multicultural demographic of the population will see similar colour and support for a variety of teams like we saw in Sydney.
5. New kids on the bloke
In the corresponding article last year, players such as Teagan Levi and Darby Lancaster were highlighted as players to watch before going on to dominate the circuit. This year presents a new class of players looking to do similar.
Henry Palmer and Ben Dalton have already debuted on the SVNS Series and will fight for their spot at the Olympics, particularly Palmer after two strong tournaments.
Teenager Hadley Tonga is probably one of the better-kept secrets in the Sevens squad with blistering pace to burn and world-class acceleration.
The Women’s side is a lot more settled but expect Kaitlin Shave’s minutes to only increase after her game-winning try in Cape Town.
