Stronger, faster' Green back in Sevens

Australian rugby sevens star Ellia Green is set to return from a knee injury 'bigger, faster and stronger' than before, coach Tim Walsh says.

Australian speedster Ellia Green is set to end her nine-month absence from rugby sevens after she was named in the line-up for the Sydney Sevens.

Green was a key element of Australia's gold medal victory at the Rio Olympics but has spent much of the past 18 months sidelined due to shoulder and knee reconstructions.

She returns alongside Rio Olympics teammate Alicia Quirk, who also missed the team's victory at the world series' opening leg in Dubai in December.

Page McGregor and Mahalia Murphy have been dropped from the 12-woman squad.

Despite Green rupturing her knee nine months ago and only fronting up for her first scratch match last week, coach Tim Walsh warns the former track sprinter is even fitter than last year.

"She's worked so hard in her rehab and has come back bigger, faster and stronger than before," he told reporters on Thursday.

"It's pretty impressive and she's a role model for anyone who gets injured."

The 25-year-old's inclusion adds another weapon to the team that won the first world series tournament in Dubai.

Teammate Charlotte Caslick said with three or four defenders required to take Green down, Australia would be able to open more space in the middle of the park.

"I'm just excited to have her back," she said.

Caslick said Quirk's presence will offer herself more opportunities to run with the ball.

"We work well together because I think she's a better distributor, her long-passing game opens a lot of space for me," she said.

The three-day tournament at Allianz Stadium is the first in the world to have both the women's and men's competitions played concurrently.

Unlike December's event in Dubai when the women's final was played on the men's opening day, the Sydney Sevens' champions will be crowned on Sunday.

"It's just a great atmosphere to play in," Caslick said.

"It's awesome for the crowds ... having that whole package is awesome from a marketing perspective."

The tournament kicks off on Friday.


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Source: AAP



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