Caslick: We must focus on our own game

Wed, Feb 4, 2015, 1:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

Qantas Australian Women's Sevens half-back Charlotte Caslick has fond memories of 12 months ago - but 2015 is all about creating new memories for the 19-year-old Queenslander.

Tim Walsh's side swept all before them at the Sao Paulo Sevens in 2014 but currently sit second on this season's Sevens World Series standings after a heartbreaking last minute defeat to Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the Cup Final in Dubai in December.

"We have some great memories from Brazil last year but our loss in the Cup Final against New Zealand in Dubai has made us even more driven and determined to succeed. We're in great spirits, we've been working hard and we can't wait to get over there," said Caslick.

"I think we're playing our best footy this year and we're getting better with each passing tournament. We're just focussing on being better individually and improving as a team.

"We've been working on a lot of decision-making and looking at different scenarios under pressure which is perhaps where we fell down a bit in the Cup Final in Dubai. Hopefully we can play for the whole 20 minutes next time should we be lucky enough to reach the Final."

With Finals' Day from Brazil being broadcast live on FOX SPORTS, Caslick has identified three players that fans new to watching Rugby Sevens should look out for.

"Sharni Williams our captain is in amazing form at the moment while Alicia Quirk was awesome winning the Player of the Tournament in Dubai. Chez [Emilee Cherry] is coming back after a few weeks and she'll be ready to go. Everyone in the camp is fit and raring to go and we'll be going out there all guns blazing."

And on the group that Australia has drawn at the Arena Barueri?

"Fiji are a massive dark horse. If they're on, they're on. Brazil, meanwhile, will have the support of the local crowd and even China are a side that stick to their team structures. We just need to focus on our own game first and foremost."

2014/15 World Rugby Women's Sevens World Series from Sao Paulo, Brazil

Day One on 8 February- streamed via http://www.worldrugby.org/womens-sevens-series/ from midnight

Australia v Brazil, Pool B, 12.22am (AEDT), 8 February

Australia v China, Pool B, 2.44am (AEDT), 8 February

Australia v Fiji, Pool B, 5.28am (AEDT), 8 February

Day Two on 9 February - broadcast on http://www.worldrugby.org/womens-sevens-series/ and FOX SPORTS 1 to broadcast the Women's competition from 5.00am.

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