Sharni Williams to captain Australia rugby sevens side as Lewis Holland's Olympic Games dream hit by injury

But a hamstring strain has ended Lewis Holland's Tokyo dream with the former Australian sevens captain sidelined for the Olympic Games campaign.

The Games were to be Holland's sevens swansong before he sets his sights on a switch to Super Rugby next season.

Samu Kerevi headlines the men's squad which will be captained by Nick Malouf, while Ellia Green is the surprise omission from coach John Manenti's women's side, which is led by Williams and Shannon Parry.

"This has arguably been one of the most challenging team selection processes in my career as a coach," Manenti said.

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"As coaches, we have selected the best performing squad, and while some decisions were tough, ultimately, we have selected a team which will put us in the best position to perform.

"There is a good combination of youth and experience within the team, but this is a new team and we'll be looking to write our own Olympic chapter."

Williams will lead Australia in clashes with USA, China and Japan as they chase back-to-back podium finishes, while the men's side face New Zealand, Argentina and Republic of Korea in the pool stages.

Australian women's sevens squad: Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams, Faith Nathan, Dominique Du Toit, Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Charlotte Caslick, Madison Ashby, Tia Hinds, Sariah Paki, Demi Hayes, Maddison Levi.

Australian men's sevens squad: Lachlan Anderson, Joe Pincus, Dylan Pietsch, Nicholas Malouf, Henry Paterson, Maurice Longbottom, Joshua Coward, Joshua Turner, Lachlan Miller, Samu Kerevi, Dietrich Roache, Henry Hutchison.

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