They need just a sixth-place finish to secure Australia’s first World Series title but the Aussie Women’s Sevens want more than that in Clermont.
A plate final appearance would be enough for the Aussies to maintain an overall lead over the competition but Sevens star Emilee Cherry says a win is what they’re after.
“We’re never going into a tournament thinking that sixth is okay, we’re aiming for the best every time,” she said.
“We’re just such a competitive group and we like pushing each other, (even) at training every day we lie to do our best and perform our best.
“We’re really excited leading into this last leg.
“We’ve had such a great season so far and put ourselves in a great position coming into this France leg.”
Cherry has been one of the stalwarts of the side in recent years and said it was exciting to have history in their grasp.
“We’ve fought and worked so hard the last few seasons but New Zealand’s just been on top by quite a fair bit at the end so it’s been really great to perform consistently as a team (this season),” she said.
“Other years we’ve been up and down, that consistency really shows the depth in our squad.
“The young girls, if we have had a few injuries, they’ve been stepping up and filling in perfectly so it has been great so far and hopefully this will be the icing on the cake ahead of the Olympics.”
CALLING #Aussie7s FANS - show your support for the Women's team as they bid to become Australia's 1st World Champs! pic.twitter.com/saU8LYxZxA
— Aussie 7s (@Aussie7s) May 23, 2016
Coach Tim Walsh echoed Cherry’s thoughts, saying only a Cup win would do in their final international tournament before the Rio Olympics.
“We’re going to win this tournament,” he said.
“Every time we cross the white line we want to perform and that’s our number one.
“I believe if we do perform we’ll get the result that we’re after.
“Rio, World Series whatever it is we’re out there to perform and play our best.
“All the accolades, the pressure so be it of those things are all by products and hopefully we can maintain our focus and play the game we love and some quality high-performance rugby.”
Australia sits 12 points clear on top of the World Series ladder, heading into Clermont-Ferrand tournament, which kicks off on Saturday May 28 (AEST).
Qantas Australian Women's Sevens fixtures in Clermont, France, 28-29 May
Australia v Fiji, Pool C, 8.28pm AEST (28 May)
Australia v Ireland, Pool C, 11.12pm AEST (28 May)
Australia v France, Pool C, 1.56am AEST (29 May)
