Australia captain Bernard Foley is hoping his side can maintain the level of performance that helped them reach the Cup semi finals in New Zealand at this weekend's USA Sevens.
After two Cup quarter final defeats in the opening two legs, including to eventual winners England in Dubai, Australia defeated South Africa at the 2011 NZI Sevens to progress to the semi finals before eventual winners and hosts New Zealand proved too strong.
But Foley is hoping that the progress they made ahead of Wellington will continue at the Sam Boyd Stadium when the tournament begins in Las Vegas on 12 February.
"In George and Dubai there was a lot of inexperienced guys who were playing in their first tournaments," said Foley.
"In the break before Wellington we were working on combinations, getting a greater understanding of the game and also the fitness levels and physicality we lacked.
"We just tried to get that right going into to Wellington and we improved. Hopefully the guys can go one better or even two better in Las Vegas."
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The last Cup title they won was the 2010 London Sevens, eight years after their previous taste of success on the World Series, and they will not want to wait the same length of time until their next victory.
But Australia have been there or thereabouts in tournaments since that victory at Twickenham, reaching the Cup final in Scotland, losing to the eventual winners in the Dubai Cup quarter finals (England), and to New Zealand in the semi finals last week.
Confidence in defence
It won't be long before they reach another final and the narrower pitch at the Sam Boyd Stadium could give them an edge which helped them reach the Cup semi finals at the 2010 USA Sevens - before again losing to eventual winners Samoa.
"It is always about defence in the narrow stadium but we have improved and are happy with the aspect of our game," added Foley.
"In the attack you don't have the width and the guys just have to get physical, make the tackles and shut the play down before the opposition gain any momentum and across the advantage line.
"It does come back to our forwards but they are really excited to start defending again on the field."
Video - Aussie Gold at 2011 NZI Sevens
It will take more than just a narrow pitch to help Michael O'Connor's side but the return of the experienced Jacob Taylor, Brian Sefanaia and Henry Vanderglas paid dividends in Wellington, demonstrated by a 29-5 victory over reigning World Series champions Samoa on day one.
Despite losing Vanderglas for the fourth leg of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series there are also three Commonwealth Games silver medallists, including Foley, in the Australian squad to provide the experience needed.
"The experienced guys give a greater sense of composure on the field because of their experience and understanding of the game which helps keep the other blokes on the field settled and kept in the line," added Foley.
"The communication on the pitch is probably where it helps most and the guys can then play their own game instead of trying to cover too many positions and that comes down to composure."
Gaining momentum in pool
Australia will be favourites to reach the Cup quarter finals but unlike the other three pools, Pool C is the only one where all four teams competed in last week's tournament.
Guyana, Uruguay and Japan join Pool A, B and C respectively, whilst Canada - the only non-core side in Pool C, join Australla, Fiji and Scotland.
If they continue their good form on day one, having won eight of nine pool matches so far on this yeaar's Series, and progress to the quarters they could face a possible repeat of their NZI Sevens pool match against Samoa at the end of day one, and Foley believes their tougher pool could also prove decisive.
"It could be a good thing because you can't switch off, not that you can switch off with any of the other three teams, but this one we have to be really prepared and ready for every team.
"It is probably a good thing to get that momentum going, playing tough teams, so that when we get to the quarters or the semis, if we do get there, it is not a new thing to us as we will have already been prepared and tested in that first day."
