Over the past 48 hours, the Australian women’s rugby sevens team have put the sport back on the map Down Under.

They can change the perception of the game in Australia in the next 24 hours if they win another medal.

After a decade of turmoil in the men’s game, Tim Walsh’s team could change the narrative in Australian rugby once again. They may already have.

But despite Walsh winning gold at the Commonwealth, the World Championships and most recently finishing 7th in Madrid, it is only an Olympic medal that can make the difference and bring the international attention that Walsh’s team so deserves.

In front of 70,000 fans at the Stade de France, the Australian women, led by Charlotte Caslick, the Levi sisters – Maddison and Teagan – and Faith Nathan and co., have put Australian rugby back in the spotlight over the past two days. Now they can stay in it.

Should they win the gold medal match early on Wednesday morning, it will be yet another reminder to the Australian sporting community of what the country’s best elite sporting program is.

In recent years, Rugby Australia has tried to sell the narrative that playing in a union provides experiences that only the NRL and AFL can dream of.

The problem is the stench that has surrounded rugby union in recent years, with the rules stumbling from one car crash to another.

Now they have a moment in the sun – and it’s the women who are leading them back to better times.

A year ago it was the 15-player England women’s team that attracted 58,000 spectators to the final of the Six Nations tournament.

Over the past two days, more than 150,000 people have flocked to the Stade de France to watch 12 women’s teams compete at the site of last year’s World Cup final. Day three of the women’s programme will be no different.

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Team Australia gathers before a Pool B match between Australia and South Africa at the Stade de France on July 28, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Alex Ho/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

These three extraordinary days in the French capital will provide a snapshot for every young Australian athlete aspiring to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.

For those inspired by the achievements of these 14 golden girls, there is still time to look forward to Los Angeles and Brisbane over the next eight years.

Who are the 14 women pushing Australian rugby forward in Paris?

Charlotte Caslick: The 29-year-old Australian captain and three-time Olympian is a former World Rugby sevens player of the year. Caslick led Australia to gold in Rio and remains one of the game’s best playmakers. Caslick is also Australia’s best on-ball exponent and can bring down the biggest in the game.

Dominique du Toit: Du Toit retired at the end of the Paris Olympics and brings poise and experience to the side. Primarily used as a weapon off the bench, Du Toit is a silky smooth runner and deceptively quick. She is also one of three Australian goal kickers.

Charlotte Caslick in full flight with Dom du Toit supporting in the background. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Tia Hinds: Who remembers Madrid? The versatile full-back smashed over a field goal conversion from outside to sink the Black Ferns and send Australia into the final, sealing Australia’s moment. Hinds’ running game came to the fore against Ireland in their earlier pool match, when she ran 50 metres before partnering Maddison Levi.

Maddison Levi: The Jonah Lomu of women’s rugby. Maddison Levi is well on her way to becoming the game’s leading try scorer, having made 11 five-pointers from four games in the tournament so far – an Olympic record. Levi, 22, is at her second Games and has saved as many tries as she scores. Levi was described as a “cheat code” by former England sevens captain Rob Vickerman.

Teagan Levi: Known as the ‘Pit Bull’ by teammates for her drive to get through and get involved in the dirty work, the 20-year-old has stepped out of her sister’s shadow and has delivered a stunning campaign thus far. Levi is physical and as effective on the breakdown as she is with the ball in hand.

Maddison Levion heads to the tryline during the Paris Olympic Games at Stade de France on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Isabella Nasser: In the absence of the injured Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, the hard-working forward has been the glue for the Australian sevens team. She also comes from a good background, with older brother Josh making his debut for the Wallabies this month. She is also the daughter of former Test back-rower, Brendon.

Faith Nathan: She may not be the headline-grabber that Maddison Levi is, but Australia’s other winger is lethal. Nathan has been lethal for Australia throughout the campaign, finding the line regularly. Her five-pointer against Ireland in the quarter-final was a sight to behold.

Sharni Klein: The team’s veteran workhorse, Smale, is just two wins away from dismissing a two-time Olympic gold medallist. Australia’s most physical player, Smale pulls the line straight and is never beaten in contact.

Bienne Terita: Terita is another player with X-factor on the wings. She is so strong on contact that she often beats the first defender.

Kaitlin Scheren: Shave was crushingly ousted midway through Australia’s first win over Great Britain. A former sprinter now on the sidelines, she knows how to get to the try-line and tried bravely to play through the pain against Great Britain on day one.

Sariah Paki: Paki, one of Australia’s strongest players during this Olympic campaign, often flies under the radar but can play both big and small. She is a quality for Australia at the kick-start – the third set-piece in sevens rugby that can define games (just ask the Australian men’s team).

Bridget Clark: Clark, one of Australia’s newest stars, was inspired by Caslick when she met the gold medallist in 2017. Now she stands shoulder to shoulder with the captain and the household name. Clark, 21, is quick and consistently makes the right decision.

Kahli Henwood: Henwood was called up to the Australian team early in the Olympic season due to Shave’s injury, so he didn’t make any mistakes.

Sidney Taylor: Taylor is a travelling reserve and also from Queensland, with a background in Oztag.