O'Neill is set to be named in the University of Canberra sevens side as the team prepares to host the national women's competition for the first time this weekend.

It will be another significant step for O'Neill's rugby journey after being picked to make her Wallaroos debut last month and then winning the inaugural ACT Brumbies women's player of the year award last week.

A return to sevens is the perfect chance to reflect on how far she's come since taking a 12-month break from rugby last year and being unsure if she wanted to pursue higher honours in the sport.

"It's been such an amazing experience. I can't even explain how good [this year] has been," O'Neill said.

"Playing for the Wallaroos was mind blowing. It was just an amazing experience and now I've got to switch focus from 15-a-side to sevens.

"When I first started playing rugby, I started playing sevens in a trial game for Gungahlin College. Then I moved into the Brumbies sevens with the schoolgirls, so that's where I started."

The Canberra side finished fifth in the opening round of the sevens series and will face Bond University in its opening game at Brumbies headquarters on Saturday morning.

Australian sevens skipper Sharni Williams is expected to join the Canberra coaching staff to act as a mentor for the group as they aim to rise up the standings.

O'Neill will have just two training sessions to prepare after the Uni-Norths Owls flanker rejoined the group this week following the Wallaroos' two-Test series against New Zealand.

The 22-year-old has tested herself in boxing and gymnastics, and put her rugby ambitions on hold last year to focus on her musical theatre passion.

Rugby Australia's decision to start a Super W competition convinced O'Neill to come back to rugby, shedding eight kilograms to get back to her playing weight for the Brumbies' season.

Her efforts paid off, winning the Brumbies' best and fairest prize at the Brett Robinson Awards night. Her Brumbies form propelled her into the Wallaroos squad and has boosted her confidence.

"I had sweaty palms [in Wallaroos camp] and it hit me in New Zealand that I had a chance to step up and shine in the second Test, that's where I felt it deep down. That all the work was worth it and an honour," O'Neill said.

"I got a lot of confidence and leadership [experience]. I was still young in the Wallaroos squad, but it was important to know my role.

"It wasn't about knowing exactly to do, but just being confident and not second guessing anything. Back yourself and play your game because in the Tests I had to believe in myself to be at that level."

UNIVERSITY SEVENS SERIES

Saturday: University of Canberra v Bond University at 9am, University of Canberra v University of Sydney at 11.20am, University of Canberra v University of New England at 1pm, University of Canberra v University of Queensland at 3pm. All games at Brumbies headquarters.

Sunday: Finals from 11am. Click or touch here for a full list of fixtures.