For the first time, Australia’s women’s rugby sevens team will wake up just one win away from a World Series title.
But the new, three-day Sydney 7s format featuring a stand-alone Sunday final hasn’t played on the team’s nerves, according to Olympic champion Alicia Quirk.
Usually the side rattles through a quarter and semi-final before having to worry about the big dance later that day.
This year the trans-Tasman rivals went to bed on Saturday night with just one game in mind after both navigating decisive paths to the decider.
But Quirk says Australia’s superb form, which has seen them progress without conceding a point in any of their five games, means they could sleep soundly.
“Everyone got a good run over the past two days, we have no nerves because we have so much confidence in each other,” she said.
“Any time you can keep a skilful, fast and physical team like Russia scoreless that’s really credit to us and we’re really proud of that.
“But it’ll mean nothing if we can’t produce the same tomorrow.”
New Zealand and Australia have been the two dominant sides in Sydney, tallying 174-19 and 182-0 scorelines respectively across their five games so far.
Australia have lost to New Zealand five times since their last win against the Black Ferns, which came in the 2016 Olympic gold medal match.
Coach Tim Walsh pointed to that campaign, where Australia entered as world champions and clear favourites, as evidence they could handle the pressure in front of what is tipped to be a lively home crowd at Alliance Stadium.
“They always handle the pressure really well,” he said.
“Reflecting on why we didn’t go so well last year … just physically and mentally we were really flat and weren’t performing.
“That was down to many things, but not the pressure.
“They’ve always thrived (under pressure) and this year we’re fitter and in a good mental space but against New Zealand, current world champions and on fire, it’s going to be an epic game.”
The final will be one of three women’s matches played between men’s fixtures, at 2.37pm AEDT.