Olympic gold medallist Emma Tonegato will make a welcome return for a depleted Australian women's team in their Sydney Sevens rugby title defence.
The fleet-footed Tonegato was named on Monday to make her comeback from shoulder surgery in the world series event at Spotless Stadium starting on Friday.
She joins a 12-player squad containing four members with five caps or less as the team deals with the injury-enforced absence of co-captain Shannon Parry (shoulder) and Demi Hayes (ankle) while Emilee Cherry is unavailable for selection throughout her pregnancy.
"It's great to be welcoming back Emma into the playing squad," coach John Manenti said.
"Emma has worked incredibly hard throughout her rehab and she offers versatility for us, able to cover almost every position on the park."
Young forward Sariah Paki will earn her second cap and play in back to back tournaments when she runs out in her hometown after Parry was injured last week.
The Australians face a big task to retain the Sydney title they claimed in inspired fashion last year, when they did not concede a single point in any of their matches.
They are fourth on the world series standings after two of the six events behind dominant New Zealand, who won the first two, Canada and the USA.
Australia squad for Sydney Sevens: Samantha Treherne, Sharni Williams (capt), Sariah Paki, Dominque Du Toit, Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Yasmin Meakes, Lily Dick, Emma Sykes, Alicia Quirk, Page McGregor, Ellia Green.
