The University of Canberra is banking on a band of emerging prospects to rise to the standards set by Australian stars Sharni WIlliams and Yasmin Meakes in search of a maiden series triumph.
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A world series event wedged in the middle of the University Sevens Series will limit the impact of Australia's representatives in the competition's third season.
Canberra coach Liam McGrath is banking on having Williams and Meakes at his disposal for the opening round at the University of Queensland on September 14-15.
But they are likely to be on international duties for the next two rounds before returning to the fold for the fourth leg in Canberra on October 26-27.
"They'll just set a standard, which the other girls will have to follow," McGrath said.
"We've got varying levels of professionalism and experience across the group. If those girls come in and set the standard, that's the standard for the rest of the time we're together.
"That will help, especially with some of those younger pushing for junior national selection. A couple might get the tap to play with the senior national team.
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"It means it's not such a big jump for them in terms of the way they're expected to behave and expected to carry themselves.
"It makes the jump from our team to the national team much smoother.
"The girls coming through are really pumped to play with them, and as a coach I'm really excited about the impact they're going to have on the girls."
McGrath says Canberra will have to manage Williams' load after a raft of injuries denied her the chance to play as much football as she would have like last season.
But he believes she is "ready and raring to go" alongside sevens success story Meakes, who went from untested rookie to Australian player in the space of six months in 2017.
"It's an amazing story. She was convinced by a friend of hers to try rugby in March of 2017. In October she was running out in a green and gold jersey on the sevens field," McGrath said.
"It's unbelievable. She was obviously an accomplished touch player, but to make that transition and be that successful in six months is pretty unbelievable.
"Anything is possible if you come in with the right attitude, the right set of skills, and you are ready to work.
"If some of those athletes with a non-contact sports background can get over the hurdle of the contact, they could be really successful.
"She is the poster child for that."
UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA SQUAD
Georgia O'Neill, Michaela Leonard, Sammy Maxwell, Skye Churchill, Lillyann Mason-Spice, Caludia Obst, Rachel Crothers, Sammie Wood, Caitlin Turnbull, Alahna Ryan, Biola Dawa, Darcy Read, Brooke Gilroy, Jane Garraway, Remi Wilton, Ema Masi, Bree Tozer, Kobe Nona, Aroha Spillane, Katheryn Cudaj, Sepa Salesa, Lily Murdoch, Erin Chant, Tash Salisbury, Sidonie Carrol, Bella Sheen, Ella Ryan, Ainsley Scrivener, Caitlin Quester, Grace Kemp, Sharni Williams, Yasmin Meakes.
UNIVERSITY SEVENS SERIES
Round 1: September 14-15 - University of Queensland
Round 2: September 28-29 - Bond University
Round 3: October 12-13 - University of Adelaide
Round 4: October 26-27 - University of Canberra
AUSTRALIAN PLAYER ALLOCATION
University of Sydney: Shannon Parry
University of Melbourne: Ellia Green and Page McGregor
University of Technology, Sydney: Sariah Paki and Maddison Higgins Ashby
University of Adelaide: Evania Pelite and Mahalia Murphy
University of Canberra: Sharni Williams and Yasmin Meakes
University of New England: Alicia Quirk and Rhiannon Byers
Bond University: Charlotte Caslick and Lauren Brown
Griffith University: Samantha Treherne, Lily Dick and Demi Hayes
University of Queensland: Emma Sykes and Cassie Staples
University of Western Australia: Emma Tonegato and Dominique Du Toit