Women's co-captain Demi Hayes believes the pressure of their long-awaited return to Sydney will bring the best out of the side.The side is coming off a third place finish in Hamilton, knocked out by the USA in the semi-finals despite the Americans twice going down to six players.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!Tim Walsh's side thrives off playing fast-tempo football, which provides the likes of Maddison Levi, Faith Nathan and Charlotte Caslick the opportunity to create scoring opportunities and break the line.However, the bigger-bodies USA smothered the Aussies after taking a 10-7 lead, trapping them in their 22 for the entirety of the second half.“I think we’re disappointed with our performance in New Zealand,” Hayes told reporters."I think there’s plenty we can take away (from the USA defeat). We’re a very fast, speed-based team so we want that up-tempo game that they didn’t give us. We want to make sure we’re continually doing that.“Getting knocked out in the semi-finals last week wasn’t in our plans but to be back on home soil in front of friends and family is exciting as we get to put ourselves in the position to win the tournament."“As a group, we don’t really hold onto little things like that. There were a lot of little moments we could’ve done better and not been in that position,” co-captain Charlotte Caslick added.“They were down twice to six so we didn’t capitalise on those moments in the first half and got us in the position we were in.“We just move straight past it and get on with it. The younger girls got some great minutes out of the Ireland game last weekend so I think they’re well prepared for Sydney.”The squad returns to Sydney hungry to perform, needing victory to keep in touch with Series leaders New Zealand after they opened up a four-point gap with four events remaining.With this creates pressure for the defending World Series champions, who will play at home starting on January 27 for the first time in nearly three years.Hayes welcomed the added motivation as they look to secure their place at the Paris Olympics.“I think there’s nothing better than playing at home in front of a crowd with that little bit of pressure, but I think our team really strives under pressure,” she said.“A lot of our girls love having the thrive and the party in the stands while they’re playing all the noise, so there’s nothing better than having this kind of practice tournament at home in preparation for Paris.“Our eyes are set on that qualification so every tournament we go to we need to get better and make sure we qualify in good stead for 2024."Click Here: Bernardo Silva jersey sale
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