Australia's sevens men have warmed up for a date with French great Antoine Dupont in dispiriting fashion, losing both their opening matches in the Vancouver leg of the world series.
But Australia's rugby women showed real spirit to triumph in their first two pool matches in the Canadian event on Friday, despite having to cope with injuries and a key suspension to star player Maddison Levi.
The men can still qualify from their pool despite losing 31-7 to Samoa and then 26-21 in a thriller with the USA.
But they'll have to do it the hard way, as they face the world's top rugby player Dupont, who has taken time out from the fifteens game to adapt to sevens ahead of playing on home soil at the Paris Olympics.
The great halfback came on midway through the second half in a 24-12 win against the US and again in a 40-7 win against Samoa.
“The Olympics represent the Holy Grail of the sport, as simple as that," Dupont has explained. "To be able to compete for a medal is already outstanding.”
“Clearly a vey disappointing day, but one we need to learn from," said Australia's men's coach John Manenti.
“We missed opportunities to close the game and discipline hurt us when we had them under the pump. Tomorrow becomes a test of character.”
In the women's event, the Australian World Cup champions have been severely tested, not only missing the suspended Levi for the start of the event but also the injured Bienne Terita, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Heidi Dennis and Demi Hayes.
Against a Japan side they would normally expect to defeat comfortably, they only scraped through with a 12-10 win, with captain Charlotte Caslick, in her landmark 50th world series tournament, once again producing the goods by breaking through and going under the posts for the key score.
Madison Ashby received a red card for a high shot and received a three-match suspension, further reducing the Australians' resources.
But they still rebounded to beat Fiji 26-12 with tries to Sharni Smale, and Faith Nathan as well as a brace for Dominique du Toit, and can now look forward to the return of Maddison Levi on Saturday after suspension.
“It shows how hard we’re working for each other out there and how much we want to win," said Teagan Levi, Maddison's sister.
“But we’ve now got Maddi back (after suspension) which we’re freaking stoked about, and we can’t wait to have her out there against the USA.
“I think the side is doing well without Maddi but we’re missing a little bit of speed on the edges. Obviously, she hasn’t played too many games, but I think she needs to focus on this game and when she gets back, she’ll be amazing.”
