Aussie team's journey from rugby sevens rookies to Olympic champions

Four years ago, most of them had ever made a tackle. Now, they're rugby sevens' first Olympic champions.

The women's sevens team managed to beat the world to become Australia's first gold medallists in a team event since the Kookaburras triumphed in 2004, despite the majority of the team having no background in the sport.

Nine of 12 had only played touch rugby, while Ellia Green was a track and field athlete.

The former sprinter's "no fear" attitude meant she soon became a powerhouse after being identified at a talent identification camp in 2012.  She quickly bought into the professional, centralised program.

"A lot of the girls behind me four years ago had never played rugby, had never tackled before, that's a massive credit to our coach Tim Walsh and our manager Scott Bowen," co-captain Shannon Perry told reporters.

"They took these girls, they got people who would fit our mould, and from there, if you fit the mould, you would stay on and if you didn't, unfortunately you moved on and that's why we have got a gold medal."

The emotion of the Cinderella story was too much for Gemma Etheridge, who made a miracle return after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament for the third time earlier this year.

The veteran opted for the evolutionary LARS surgery to be able to compete in Rio.

"To have all the girls beside me, to do it all has been amazing. They won a gold medal for me, I'm so proud," a teary Etheridge said.