Australia Defending women’s champions – Men seeking first medal
Golden girls

Rio’s Deodoro Stadium was painted green and gold as Australia became the first women’s rugby team to win an Olympic gold medal.

Australia arrived in Brazil in 2016 as World Rugby Sevens Series champions and full of confidence.

New Zealand were favourites for gold, but were beaten 24-17 in a pulsating final.

Medal contender

The coach who delivered Australia’s gold medal is now in charge of the country’s men as they target a podium finish in Tokyo.

Tim Walsh admits it would be “pretty good” to complete an Olympic medal double.

He has challenged his players to return home from Japan without any regrets.

Sevens Pedigree (Women)

1 Olympics gold medal

2 World Rugby Sevens Series titles

1 Rugby World Cup Sevens title

1 Commonwealth Games silver medal

Sevens Pedigree (Men)

2 Rugby World Cup Sevens silver medals

1 Commonwealth Games silver medal

Green machine

Electric back Ellia Green is one of Australia’s most recognisable and exciting sevens stars.

Green has scored more World Series points (739) than any other Australian woman, and scored a try in the gold-medal match five years ago.

The speedster has been recovering from knee surgery, but made her return to action against New Zealand in May.

Mighty Maurice

A once reluctant convert from rugby league, Maurice Longbottom has become a side-stepping sevens star.

Since making his World Series debut in Dubai in 2017 he has scored 61 tries in 102 matches.

Longbottom is not merely a key member of Walsh’s squad, he is an inspiration for Australia’s indigenous communities.

Kerevi chasing gold

Australia’s men’s squad has also been bolstered by the inclusion of a 15s sensation.

Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi has joined the squad following a spell in Japan, although he has been given no guarantees about Olympic selection.

“He’s Fijian – it’s in his blood. But it’s a big ask,” Walsh said about Kerevi.