Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea will make her comeback from a cruel injury run in the Queensland team at Sunday's Next Gen 7s opener at Lennox Head.
It's fantastic news, not just for the determined player but for the national team once her powerhouse game is back in the groove.
Lefau-Fakaosilea is one of the most damaging and skilful power players in the world of women's sevens.
That knack to explode into the defence with balance and pop a try-making pass is highly valued. She has a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal and World Series highs to prove it.
Unfortunately, she has been off the scene since a major knee injury sustained in Brisbane before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When shoulder surgery was thrown in as well, it meant Lefau-Fakaosilea becoming far more familiar with rehab schedules that anyone dreams of.
Now 25, Lefau-Fakaosilea has diligently worked at her fitness and strength to now be ready for her first match minutes in more than 18 months.
She will be on restricted minutes across the four games that the Reds women have against the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies.
Fellow Australian squad members Amahli Hala, Rhani Hagan and Sidney Taylor will also be in maroon in Lennox Head.
"We've had a really good pre-season since getting back into training on January 6. To have the national squad players integrated into the team is a really good concept for Next Gen 7s," said Queensland coach Shannon, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallist.
"Next Gen 7s are running in the early part of the year in 2026. It's a good idea...it gives some national squad players valuable game time to be ready for the World Series and it gives our emerging players experience playing with them.
"We'll have younger girls playing alongside their idols, learning some tricks and watching how they prepare."
Hala and Hagan are likely to play in the halves for the Reds.
Out wide, a chance for speedster Leilani Hills will be great reward.
A member of the QAS sevens program a few years ago, she headed to 15-a-side rugby with Easts.
"I gave Leilani a phone call late last year to see if she was interested in sevens again. She was keen. She's got that out and out speed and has shown it in our trial games," Parry said.
Hills, Caitlin Urwin, Piper Flynn and Emmisyn Wynyard offer excellent finishing at pace.
