Returning Wallaroo Sharni Williams is riding the momentum of an incredible season as she prepares to make the switch to the 15-a-side for the World Cup.
Williams will feature in her fourth World Cup, named in the 32-player squad to travel to New Zealand.
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The 34-year-old is in close to career-best form, named player of the match in the final of Rugby Sevens' equivalent to complete a historic triple.
“It’s a very special year,” she told Rugby.com.au
“We’re going from COVID where we didn’t get much game-time, we didn’t get to travel much so to now get to play in two World Cups is just unthinkable.
“To be able to do that and have Rugby Australia support that, I’m very grateful.
“It’s definitely still sinking in. I’ve been home for a couple of weeks now and been up and around family and friends, able to go back to Canberra to share it with one of my good mates, that makes it sink in more when you are around people that support you because when you're overseas a lot of the time, you need those people supporting you.
"It's starting to sink in now but obviously haven’t got time for that now, it’s about moving on to the 15s and the World Cup.”
Williams knows better than anyone the challenge of changing between the two formats, making a similar move after the 2016 Rio Olympics as she helped guide the Wallaroos to sixth in the 2017 edition of the tournament.
The Sevens legend was never going to be a player who'd just waltz into a squad, taking the time to build connections in between events on the World Series as well as joining the camp in Adelaide.
“This was part of the challenge and limitations I put on myself as a footballer. One of the reasons why I wanted to come back into 15s was that challenge,” Williams admits.
“I’ve definitely left it for the late run and I feel hard done by for some of the girls that missed but I’m definitely going in there to cement my position and hope those combos come.
“I'm not one to jump into a team and say ‘hey I’m here’, I really wanted to get around them. I’m someone that wants to connect with people and I’ve definitely done that in Adelaide. Seeing people today, it reaffirms that connection because you are going out there to fight and tackle for each other so it’s important to connect.
“I’ve seen how Arabella (McKenzie) plays and can see some runs I can make, I’ve played with G-Fred (Georgina Friedrichs) in the Sevens and whoever else gets put in that position, I’ll make sure to do my homework and I’m ready to go."
Even when 1000s of miles away from the action on the Sevens circuit, Williams has been watching on with keen interest, ready to slot into the backline if called upon by Jay Tregonning.
Williams will once again resume the rivalry with New Zealand in the tournament opener on October 8, who have added Sevens stars Portia Woodman, Stacey Fluhler and Sarah Hirini to their squad from the O'Reilly Cup.
Woodman showcased her talent last week in a thumping victory over Japan, scoring seven tries in the 95-12 rout.
However, Williams remains confident the Wallaroos can take it to their much-fancied rivals with full knowledge their best is yet to come.
“The Wallaroos have not shown their best game yet and I believe a bit of confidence going into Eden Park is going to light it up," she added.
"The Black Ferns have put some great performances together but that Adelaide game, I definitely think the Wallaroos could've taken that game away, they probably lost it themselves, to be honest.
“The addition of some of those Sevens girls coming in, yeah it might add some spark but I’ll be telling the girls it’s just like the Adelaide game and let's go out and enjoy it.”
