Rachel Crothers' three-year sevens exile is over after the University of Canberra and ACT Brumbies star was called into the Australian team on Thursday.
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Crothers made her international comeback at the Oceania sevens in Fiji, called into the champion women's side after impressing in the university series.
The versatile Crothers had hoped the Super W and the national sevens competition would give her a chance to relaunch her Olympic Games chances and her form has paid off.
Crothers, who moved to Canberra six years ago to join the Air Force, was in the Australian squad from 2013 but was cut before the Rio Olympics in 2016.
An injury to Page McGregor opened the door for Crothers to earn a spot again, helping Australia beat Canada 19-5 in their opening game.
The tournament doubles as an Olympic qualifying event. The Australian women's side has already secured its ticket to Tokyo, giving coach John Manenti an opportunity to blood new players.
Canberra coach Liam McGrath backed Crothers to make the most of her chance after watching her improve since returning from a stint on Japan sevens circuit.
"She was the hardest worker from the first day she arrived," McGrath said. "It's really elevated her game and [the sevens] has been the platform to show how much she's improved.
"We always knew she was really capable and she had it in her. It was just about getting an opportunity."
The women's side will play New Zealand and Japan on Friday while the Australian men will continue chasing their Olympic qualification.
The men thumped Vanuatu 52-7 in their opening game and then demolished Nauru 59-0 in the second game to edge closer to a Tokyo spot.
Brumbies back-rower Tom Cusack made his sevens return for the first time since 2016 as he aims to become a two-time Olympian, while Melbourne Rebels star Jack Maddocks has also been drafted into the team.
They will play America Samoa and Tonga on Friday in the repechage event.
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