But after growing up idolising the Wests Tigers in the NRL and dreaming of playing for the Hockeyroos at one of the biggest sporting events in the world, Williams hopes her first Olympic campaign helps inspire a generation of female rugby players.

Williams is set for a timely return to the sevens world series circuit as Australia aim to claim their first men's or women's title and use it as a launching pad to Olympic gold.

The tournament in Clermont in France is Williams' first in more than six months after a shock knee injury threw her Olympic preparations into turmoil after going seven years uninjured.

But the Canberra Royals star said she used her time away from rugby to "find myself" and improve as a person and player as she strives to make history in Rio.

Williams is a ute-driving, part-time mechanic who lives a double life as the inspirational leader of the women's team touted as a gold-medal prospect when rugby sevens makes its Olympic debut.

She grew up in country NSW playing hockey and using that to fire her Olympic dream. But now she's got a new focus and hopes girls see her team's journey as a pathway to the future.

"If I was never a part of sport, I don't know where I'd be. I've learnt so much, I've found myself especially through this last injury period," Williams said.

"I want girls to be able to see that rugby is a genuine pathway for them to pursue their Olympic hopes. We're creating a legacy here for young girls.

"We're breaking a stereotype here. I drive a ute, I'm a mechanic and I play rugby – most people would say that's a bloke.

"But not in this day and age. Females can get these opportunities as well and it's exciting times for sevens."

Williams injured her knee in December and the initial expectations were that she would miss two or three months.

She had been the ironwoman of the sevens team, but all of a sudden she was struck down with an injury that turned out to be worse than she first thought.

The 28-year-old had the first operation of her career as surgeons repaired the patellofemoral ligament in her knee. It put her out of action for six months.

"I used that time to focus on how I was going to come back and how I was going to get back in the team," she said.

"You can either sit there and let the injury take you into a hole, or you can use it to find yourself and find out what type of player and what type of person you are.

"I've come out the other side of it bigger and stronger for it."

Williams used to juggle her job as a mechanic with her rugby, but the sevens Olympic campaign has allowed her to focus on the sport full-time.

She still fixes her teammates' cars in her spare time but her goal is chasing a historic medal in Rio.

"My mind never drifted away from Rio, I knew anything was possible.

"We've got 70 days until we play [in Rio], that's unbelievable. I think about it every day and think about that gold medal, standing there with the girls and hoping to get our gold medal. It's amazing ... it's all been worth it."