Just eight months after turning his back on an Olympic opportunity, Australian Rugby Sevens star Jesse Parahi has returned to the sport for one last crack at a trip to Rio.

Parahi signed with the Wests Tigers last August aiming to fulfil his dream of an NRL debut, but after starting the season in reserve grade, he is now returning to the seven-a-side game.

“I’m passionate about the game and have been getting up at all times of the day to watch the boys play,” he said.

“When the opportunity arose to come back, it was one I couldn’t turn down.”

Parahi, who played league until age 18 before switching to union, will look to add to his 33 Sevens World Series caps at final two rounds in Paris and London ahead of the Rio games.

And given he represented Australia at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and played a crucial role in taking the side to Olympic qualification, the 26-year-old remains a real chance of winning over coach Andy Friend ahead of August.

“Competition for places is always healthy and we now have a level of depth in the program that we have never had before,” Friend said.