Rugby sevens star Shannon Parry says the Australians are now better prepared to deal with the pressure of a home crowd, after struggling in last season’s World Series leg in Sydney.

Parry co-captained Australia to sevens Olympic gold in 2016 before returning to the traditional format to skipper the Wallaroos at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

But a fourth-placed finish at last season’s Sydney showpiece still burns, as does falling behind New Zealand to finish last year’s World Series in second place.

Her renewed confidence stems from the recently-completed university series that pitted the Australian squad against each other across 20 games.

Parry said the four-leg tournament was the ideal preparation for the World Series opener in Dubai on November 30.

Sydney, on January 26-28, follows in the reduced five-leg series as part of a 2018 calendar that also includes a World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

“There was added pressure (after winning gold in Rio) and we didn’t deal with it then, but we’re a lot better prepared now,” Parry said of the Sydney flop.

“Sydney, on Australia Day, is going to be a huge event and we want to put in a good performance because we let our fans down last time,” she said.

Tickets go on sale for Sydney’s Australia Day sevens showpiece on Monday, while the team will also be in the spotlight at April’s Commonwealth Games.

Expectations remain high after Rio’s gold medal, even though New Zealand have usurped them as the team to beat.

Coach Tim Walsh oversaw the university sevens and believes it should set up the Australian side for immediate and future success.

“Playing 20 games that they didn’t last year is hugely beneficial and going into Sydney next year, we’ll embrace the moment this time,” he said.