Speedster Piper Flynn is relishing the new double life now possible for aspiring female rugby players with a seamless switch between the 15-a-side game and the Next Gen 7s.
The Easts winger returned on Thursday from a training camp in Canberra with the wider Wallaroos squad and has now switched her mindset to the tempo of her next sevens challenge.
Flynn will be rapid feet on the end of the backline in Sydney on Sunday when the Queensland Reds' Next Gen 7s girls tackle the NSW Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies in the second leg of their series.
The Reds are coming off an upbeat series opener in Lennox Head where they won three of their four matches, despite being behind for 80 per cent of the time.
"We got a lot of confidence from Lennox Head. We learnt how to gel with the Australian Sevens girls who came into the team and it felt better and better the more we played, " Flynn said.
"A player like Alysia (Lefau-Fakaosilea) is really crafty and there's a fear factor she creates in the opposition too so there are chances off her play for sure."
Fakaosilea, Sidney Taylor and Rhani Hagan will again reinforce the Reds team while Gold Coast's devout Queenslander Teagan Levi being parachuted into the NSW team is just a little curious.
At 22, Flynn is finding her feet and voice in senior rugby.
She made her Super Rugby Women's debut last year when she crossed for a try with her first touch of the ball against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Joining the Next Gen 7s program, with the backing of the Queensland Academy of Sport, has created something all female players need. More rugby.
"For me, the chance to just play more rugby is a big plus," Flynn said.
"It's been fantastic to have the opportunity in two camps with the Wallaroos squad in Canberra this year. What was stressed was to really back yourself one-on-one against your opponent.
"I do feel that is one area I've really improved playing club for Easts last year and playing more rugby. I feel confident to back myself on the edge, have a real crack and finish which is a winger's role.
"It's really fun having the opportunity to do both 15s and sevens. I got into rugby through sevens initially and went to 15s so I feel comfortable.
"Both help each other. Obviously, there is extra space in sevens so there's that practice at going one-on-one and competing with your opposite winger on the field."
Flynn developed her rugby at Marymount College and King's Christian College on the Gold Coast where she played at Surfers Paradise Rugby Club.
Watching brother Seamus always play and the Flynn family's zeal to attend Reds games at Suncorp Stadium stirred her own ambitions in the game.
"There was no girls team to play in to start with and I was too small but I knew I eventually wanted to play when I had the chance," Flynn recalled.
Playing at Easts since 2022 has been her springboard in Brisbane with regular finals appearances.
You can talk up Flynn's speed but she'll laugh and deflect to her new Sunday teammate, Tiki Calliste.
"Tiki is actually sprinter-fast because she comes from an athletics background. It will be great to see her get a chance in Sydney," Flynn said.
