Olympic Games gold-medal winner Sharni Williams admits she feared the worst for her career when her right arm went numb when a breakdown drill went wrong last month.
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But the Australian women's sevens captain has vowed to get back on the field stronger and fitter for a whirlwind year, which will include joining a newly-formed University of Canberra side.
Williams will be unveiled on Wednesday as a the marquee signing for the University of Canberra team after the Australian players were divided up for the new competition, which starts in August.
The former Canberra Royals star will be joined by Brooke Anderson as the Australian contingent with the rest of the squad to be announced in the coming months.
However, Williams' year was almost over before it started when he copped a knock at training that caused her C5 and C6 vertebrae to pinch a nerve, leaving her right arm numb.
The 29-year-old former mechanic has a tough-as-nails reputation but knew something was wrong straight away.
"Initially I was pretty worried about it. Our coach, [Tim] Walsh, had an issue with his nerve and it never quite came back the same," Williams said.
"But every day I've been progressing and see a change. I play rugby, so I know injuries are going to happen.
"I'm doing all the little things - they matter to me. I know rugby's not going to last forever. But this isn't going to stop me."
Williams hopes to make her comeback to the international sevens circuit in Canada at the end of May, but she also has one eye on making a return to the 15-a-side game for the women's World Cup in August.
Williams has played at the 2010 and 2014 World Cup and wants to "aim high" as she enters the twilight of her career.
She will target a sevens comeback, the World Cup, the new university competition and then the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year.
Williams hasn't ruled out a bid to play at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 as Australia aims to defend its gold medal.
But first she's on a mission to grow women's rugby and help inspire the next generation by being a part of the University of Canberra squad.
Williams dreamt of playing hockey for Australia when she was a child in Batlow, but switched to rugby when she moved to Canberra.
"I still remember being the only girl training at the Brumbies and always asking [then-coach] Andy Friend to let me train with the guys," Williams said.
"So I'm super excited to put on the university of Canberra jersey because I've been a part of it and know the culture of Canberra. We're always the underdogs in rugby, so hopefully I can help inspire some more players.
"This new competition is massive for women's rugby. I can't wait to get back to Canberra and play."
WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY SEVENS SERIES
Round one: University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston, August 25-26
Round two: Macquarie University, Sydney, September 9-10
Round three: University of Queensland, Brisbane, September 16-17
Round four: Bond University, Gold Coast, September 29-30
