RUGBY SEVENS: The Australian women’s rugby sevens team took the accolades for their win at the Central Coast Sevens but less than 100 metres away on a back field at Wyong Rugby League, fans had a unique glimpse into the future of the sport in Australia.

The Australian Women's Development side, with half of the side 18 or under, disposed of an experienced Fijiana national side - themselves preparing for the Rio 2016 Regional Olympic Qualifier next month in Auckland.

Arguably the biggest boilover in the two days of competition at the Central Coast Sevens, the Aussie Development side were on the back-foot early on but soon raced into a 17-point lead with their opponents unable to live with the dancing feet of young Jayme Fressard. The Development side held off a late rally from the Fijians to win 17-12.

National Women's Head Coach Tim Walsh said: "In the Women's program we are being some really good depth. We've done well in the Youth Olympics, the Commonwealth Youth Games as well as the Pacific Games. We have a fair few players coming through the ranks and I'd be confident throwing all of them into a team competing in a World Series event.

The Aussie Development side came up against three national sides over the weekend, losing out to a strong Canadian side in pool play, beating the Fijiana in the Cup Quarter-Finals before eventually being defeated by the powerful New Zealand Development outfit - including Kelly Brazier and Sarah Goss - in the Cup Semi-Final.

"It really is positive and healthy to see players of that age do so well against a World Series side."

The Pearls took the title after impressively seeing off Canada in the Semi-Finals and then the Kiwis in the Cup Final, but Walsh already has his eye on improvement.

"After the weekend we are in good shape for the World Series, he said. "The Canadians and New Zealanders will doubtless both come back as world-class teams always do. There are areas we need to work on or those will be the areas that will be exposed in the World Series."

Australian Development Women's squad for the 2015 UON Central Coast Sevens at Wyong Rugby League Club, Wyong:
Iliseva Batabasaga (NSW)
Sarah Carter (ACT)
Shenae Ciesolka (QLD)
Rachel Crothers (QLD)
Dominique Du Toit (QLD)
Jayme Fressard (NSW)
Georgie Friedrichs (QLD)
Raecene McGregor (NSW)
Shanice Parker (WA)
Taleena Simon (NSW)
Tanisha Stanton (NSW)
Laura Waldie (QLD)

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION