The “gang’s back together” but while Charlotte Caslick will be a sight for sore eyes in Sydney this weekend it’s the return of Shannon Parry that could be telling as Australia’s Olympic rugby sevens title defence nears top gear.
Livewire Caslick (hamstring) will return from injury to partner new mum Emilee Cherry for the first time since 2018 at Sydney’s world series leg from Saturday.
Coach John Manenti is just as keen to welcome Parry back into the fold after suspension meant she missed the side’s fourth-placed finish in New Zealand last weekend.
Fellow Rio gold medallists Alicia Lucas, Ellia Green, Emma Tonegato and Sharni Williams will also feature at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium, with Evania Pelite (ankle) still to return.
Parry was suspended for rough conduct in Cape Town but Manenti was confident she would channel that same intent into something constructive as teams aim to out-muscle them.
“Shanno is like our barometer of mongrel … the tough hombre up front setting the standards and is a pest in and around the breakdown,” he said.
“Everything is a competition and a scrap for her; it will be great to have someone like her back again.”
Tonegato said Caslick and Cherry, who made her return last weekend, would slot seamlessly back into the mix.
“Charlotte is such a good player, reads the game so well and reacts so quick and Emilee such a cool head,” she said.
“Having the gang back together, except for Evania … it’s lovely.
“We just know how each other plays and kind of read each other without having to speak.”
Australia, second after four world series legs this season, will face Spain, Ireland and France.
Only the winner of the pool will progress to the final four on Sunday afternoon.
Australian women: Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams (c), Cassandra Staples, Emma Tonegato, Demi Hayes, Charlotte Caslick, Madison Ashby, Dominque du Toit, Alicia Lucas, Emilee Cherry, Ellia Green, Faith Nathan, Sariah Paki (reserve).