Aussie Sevens skipper Lewis Holland has learned to make the most of injury setbacks, as he prepares to make his comeback in London this weekend.
Holland has been in and out of the team this year with injury setbacks but took the chance to step things up off the field, learning more about the game and how to help others.
“I believe you learn a lot from that side of the park,” he said.
“You see the game differently, and it's helped me a lot as a player.
“A few years ago, I had that achilles injury and I did a lot of coaching, so it just enabled me to sharpen up my game without ball in hand, how you can manipulate defence, what you can add through your voice at half-time because you have a short period of time.
“I reckon everyone who plays should do some coaching for some time, to just broaden their horizons and just look at it through a different lens.”
Holland will be putting those lessons to good use this weekend in his comeback tournament, as Australia look for a strong 2017-18 World Series finish.
“I play footy to play footy, not to train,” he said.
“Training's a part of it, injuries are as well, so those little milestones when you're injured in rehab to get back on the paddock are always good, but playing's the number one goal and what everyone wants to be doing.
“It's great to be back out playing, especially in London, Twickenham and then onto Paris next weekend, but first and foremost we'll knock London over.”
The Aussies face familiar foes Spain, as well as Ireland and Wales in their London Sevens pools, and Holland said all three would pose a great threat.
“Wales - they'll be a tough side, they always seem to turn it on when they need to turn it on and sometimes they can fall away but you never underestimate them,” he said.
“The Irish the same, fighters, great at football, and Spain, again they've grown every tournament this series.
“We've met them in a number of handshakes this season, so they'll know our game plan a little bit, we'll know theirs but we won't take anything lightly, especially through those three pool games.”
Australia kicks off its London Sevens campaign on Saturday June 2 against Ireland at 7:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
