EMMA Tonegato became a world champion as the Illawarra continues to assemble their finest Olympics group yet.
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The Australian women’s rugby team was beaten by Canada in the sevens final in France on Sunday night, but had already secured the series pointscore to be crowned World Series winners.
The success came as Wollongong’s Tonegato scored her 50th try of the season against Fiji earlier, in the France tournament.
"To come out on top in the World Series is an extraordinary effort and we have so much to be proud of this season,” coach Tim Walsh said.
"This group of players are continually challenging themselves.
“We'll be working hard to improve when we get back to training at Narrabeen next week. We have a big few months ahead and it's a challenge that is exciting for everyone.”
Tonegato and Sevens teammate Nicole Beck’s chase for Illawarra Olympics success adds to a long list of female talent from the region. Albion Park Hockeyroos star Casey Sablowski, steeplechaser Madeline Hills and Matildas trio Caitlin Cooper, Caitlin Foord and Michelle Heyman are medal chances in Rio.
Meanwhile, Kiama Downs volleyballer Aidan Zingel played a key role in Australia’s 3-1 victory over Venezuela in the Olympic qualifiers in Japan.
After a 3-0 loss to Iran on Saturday, the Volleyroos lost the first set 25-19, but stormed back to win 25-20, 25-10, 25-19.
It keeps their hopes of a Rio berth alive, after becoming the fairytale story in London when they secured the last available Olympic place four years ago.
The Volleyroos take on Canada on Tuesday morning (AEST), needing to finish as the top-ranked Asian team to guarantee selection. Elsewhere, Tristan White and Blake Govers were included in the Kookaburras Champions Trophy squad, the only major tournament before the Olympics.
Govers has scored 24 goals n 26 games, as brother Kieran fights to prove his fitness in time for Rio and Flynn Ogilvie missed out on selection.
“The Champions Trophy is being used to manage the load of a number of our players, and to provide the last opportunity for other players vying for Olympic selection,” coach Graham Reid said.
“The objective of 2016 has been to get as many players as possible up to the level where they are in the mix for the team going to Rio.”
Bulli’s Ryan Gregson, who competed at London four years ago, booked his place in Rio with a 1500m qualifying time of 3.35.78 last week.
It comes after Wollongong Wizards triathlete Ryan Bailie joined Aaron Royle in the Australian Olympic squad last month.
Needing to be the first Aussie to finish in the top 10 to qualify at the Gold Coast event, Bailie finished fourth.
Bailie is part of the elite Wollongong Wizards triathlon squad which also includes Aaron Royle, Jake Birtwhistle and American and world No 1 Gwen Jorgensen.
