Co-captain Henry Paterson is eager to take his chance at leading out Australia as he returns to the SVNS World Series in Vancouver.
Paterson returns to the squad for the fourth leg of the Series after an ankle injury, which meant he was watching the Men make the Final on home soil for the second year in a row.
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"It's tough. It's a bittersweet moment where I would have loved to have been in Perth, but to see the boys do so well sitting at home, watching them (made me) proud," he told Rugby.com.au.
"It's a pretty tough supporter sport Sevens. It's on a knife's edge the whole time, so thank God, most of the time, I'm playing and not watching because it's not an enjoyable 15 minutes when you're watching the boys play.
"It's pretty stressful but I enjoyed seeing the boys do well."
Paterson was handed the co-captaincy honour alongside Henry Hutchison by new coach Liam Barry days after going into surgery for his ankle.
"It was special, surprising, but it was cool. It was pretty special to get the recognition from the boys and the staff and the squad and then to tell the family it was pretty cool," he said.
"It was a funny one. I think I got the news two or three days after surgery, so I was sort of removed from the group and got to process it on my own and celebrate with family.
"Throughout this rehab, it's just been about establishing myself back in the squad, firstly as a player and then again as a leader, finding that voice and going with the boys."
Paterson has been impressed with what Barry has brought to the squad, likening it to the fight and hunger installed in the side by World Series-winning coach John Manenti during their 2022 triumphs.
"I think the boys are working hard. I think first impression is that Liam challenged us around fitness levels and how hard he wants us to work," he notes.
"The work rate of the team is a bit of deja vu because it was Johnny's approach as well when he came in in 2022, but it's been good.
"I think he's put a lot of power into the leadership group with Hutch and myself along with 'Dowlo' (Ben Dowling) and Moz (Maurice Longbottom) as our game controllers.
"As a senior player in the squad, there's that pressure to point the boys in the right direction but it's also empowering to have a coach who backs us and helps us make the right call."
