Queensland's Heidi Dennis is excited about the super-competitive selection mix unfolding for the Australian women's sevens side for the rapidly-approaching world circuit.
How much depth is being developed, by head coach Tim Walsh and is staff, is one of the big takeaways from this week's camp and Tri-Series in Toowoomba.
It has been a necessity because of a string of long-term injuries dating back to before the 2024 Paris Olympics. The upside is now getting back the likes of speedster Kaitlin Shave and skilful ball-player Madison Ashby.
Line-busting weapon Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea was today doing running fitness again beyond the in-goal at the Toowoomba Sports Ground. Her recovery from major knee surgery is edging her closer to a comeback in the early rounds of the HSBC SVNS series as well.
The Aussie girls played three games in Toowoomba on Friday and have three more today against top opposition from New Zealand and the USA.
It's exactly the environment that Dennis, 20, wants to be in.
"It's a hard fight for positions but seeing the young ones getting good game time in Toowoomba is building the foundations of a really exciting season," Dennis said.
"I know, for me, that time on the field, coming into a third season with the squad and playing in that winning Perth Sevens team is what builds confidence.
"We all have that Olympic dream (for Los Angeles in 2028) but right now it's about becoming a more permanent member of the team and proving myself as one of the main players."
The value of Toowoomba was borne out in the final seconds on Friday when the Aussies played the USA, instead of yet another opposed game, within the Australian squad, where everyone knows your moves.
The Aussies trailed 22-19 with time up but with a tap penalty to utilise.
The ball was pinged to the left edge where Dennis was lurking in her fast-forward/wing role. She took the ball to the line, freed her arms and popped a perfect one-hander to Ruby Nicholas for the winning try.
Scoring under last-second pressure is exactly the benefit that Walsh looks for in these games before the Aussies step up in Dubai (November 29-30) and Cape Town (December 6-7).
The Aussies opened Saturday with a more convincing 17-5 win over the USA. It would have been far closer but for two outstanding try-saving tackles from behind by Amelia Whitaker.
The 14-5 win over NZ to follow was well deserved. Standout Ruby Nicholas sliced over for the first try. When the Kiwis had tightened the scores to 7-5, it was again Nicholas who finished for the try.
Kahli Henwood's workrate was vital. A pick-and-dash from the ruckbase, popping a pass to the busy Amahli Hala and staying on her feet in strong gallops were all signs she is going to be a frontline presence in the SVNS series.
The Aussies made it 3-0 over the Kiwis by the end of the weekend.
The spin-offs to inspire girls in regional areas is a tangible for Dennis, raised on a cattle property in Emu Vale outside Warwick.
"It's great to see heaps of country girls coming through. The local girls have been playing in between our matches so they are backing the Next Gen out here in Toowoomba," Dennis said.
The hot gospel of spreading the message of rugby sevens was taken on superbly by the women in schools visits this week to Mater Dei Primary School, Emilee Cherry's Fairholme College and Downlands College.
The sevens girls are the most natural promoters of rugby in the country. Maddi and Teagan Levi, Bella Nasser and Madison Ashby proved it again with their genuine interactions and autograph-signing skills.
Dennis is another classic example of rugby finding talent rather than a traditional pathway through junior rugby.
Dennis was linked to the Brisbane Roar and played as a centre back in football for her Brisbane school, John Paul College, before a brief fling in rugby sevens turned into something far bigger.
