RUGBY SEVENS: While they may not have had the star status that many of our modern day Olympians lay claim to, the likes of Sydney Middleton, Paddy McCue and Charles McMurtrie all have something that Aussie rugby sevens star Emilee Cherry is yearning; Olympic rugby gold.

Australia claimed their only Games gold medal in the sport way back in 1908 when the Australasian side defeated Great Britain to claim top position on the podium and now after a 96-year hiatus rugby will return to Olympic competition with the sevens format expected to excite in Rio.

The Australian women’s side has proven they’ll be the one of the teams to beat come August and Cherry has highlighted her credentials as one of the world’s best in recent years.

Cherry’s team has started the year in blistering form winning three of the four World Series events to head the standings leading into the final event in late May.

“We have a great mix of girls who have gained a lot of experience over the past couple of years which has now helped us get to the where we are at the moment,” Cherry said.

 “We have the carrot of Olympic gold hanging over our heads but we know we have to focus on the next match, the next series as we build towards that ultimate goal.”

Cherry’s form has mirrored that of her side with the 2014 Player of the Year currently topping both the point scoring and try scoring World Series standings

“I’ve had a solid season so far and haven’t had any injuries which has really helped with my fitness base.

“This is so important for sevens as it really is about who can compete for the full 14 minutes each match.”

After claiming titles in Dubai, Sao Paolo and Georgia, USA, the Aussies experimented with a predominantly youthful side in the latest event in Canada.

“It was an incredible experience for players like myself who have been in the team a while and those younger players. It was great to see those youngsters stand up and they’ll be so much better for the chance they got there.

“We have so much talent coming through now especially from the Youth Olympic and Youth Commonwealth Teams.”

That tournament proved there is more depth than ever in the woman’s game in Australia and that can only help the side as Rio draws closer.

“We have an incredibly competitive squad coming into Rio.

“All 22 girls are vying for those 12 spots and that what makes us get better by everyone pushing one another.”

When at their best the Aussies have looked unstoppable in 2016 but Cherry is wary of a number of sides that will undoubtedly up their game with Olympic gold on the line.

“The Kiwis still hold the World Series title so they’re definitely the team to beat. Along with the Canadians and English there are a lot of top teams that are making us improve our game.”

With less than 100 days to go the Australian side are into the final stages of preparation for the biggest event in rugby sevens history.  

“We are looking to put the polishing touches on the side in the final event of the World Series in France.

“We then have a few camps and Japan will head out for a series in the Olympic format. We know we really have to be hitting our straps as we head towards Rio.

Australia will take on many of their Olympic opponents in the final round of the World Series in the central French city of Clermont-Ferrand on May 28-29.

The side currently holds a 12 point lead over New Zealand meaning a sixth place finish will be enough for Cherry and her green and gold teammates to win their first World Series.

The Rio 2016 women’s sevens competition will be held at Deodoro on the opening three days of the Games (August 6-8).

Matt Bartolo