It was the second six-month rehab stint the 23-year-old had undergone for the same shoulder with the first forced her out of the inaugural women's Sydney 7s in 2017.

She last played in the gold jersey at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco but after performing well during the recent internal trials, Tonegato is ready to get back out on the field.

"I definitely was one who was pushing for those games so I could have some game time before we take on the best in the world," she said.

"I felt really confident after those games and it gave me that little confidence boost that I needed.

"I think we have such competitive girls in the team that everyone was going their hardest and it was such a good selection tool for Johnny (coach John Manenti) so there was no hesitation, everyone was out there to put their name forward for the team."

Australia head into the Syndey 7s as the reigning Champions with their outstanding run in 2018 saw them go unbeaten and they didn't concede a single point throughout their six games.

However, Australia will be without co-captain Shannon Parry having been ruled out with a shoulder injury she sustained last week while Demi Hayes (ankle) and Emilee Cherry (pregnant) will also be on the sidelines.

For the first time, after a long injury-riddled 12-months, there will be no debutants in the squad with teenagers Sariah Paki and Lily Dick having made their debuts in Dubai.

Coach John Manenti will be hoping that his young players step up to the plate. 

"I think every tournament's a chance for the players to step up and show but again we're now another tournament in, we don't have any debutants for the first time in a while for a tournament so everyone's had some experience and I'd like to hope that the work we've put in with these girls will show some benefits this week," he said.

Squad: Samantha Treherne, Sharni Williams, Sariah Paki, Dominque Du Toit, Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Yasmin Meakes, Lily Dick, Emma Sykes, Alicia Quirk, Page McGregor, Ellia Green

Fixtures for Sydney 7s:
Friday 1 February 
Australia v Spain, 1.50pm AEDT 
Australia v China, 4.34pm AEDT
Australia v USA, 6.56pm AEDT 

All matches will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports 506.