Olympian Tonegato returns for Vegas sevens

Australia's women's world title defence has been bolstered by the return of Rio Olympic gold medallist Emma Tonegato for the Las Vegas rugby sevens.

Speedster Tonegato was absent from the third World Series leg in Sydney earlier this month with a elbow injury and was missed as Australia finished a disappointing fourth.

Her inclusion is the only change to the squad that lost their semi-final to Sydney winners Canada at Allianz Stadium.

The Pearls sit second on championship standings behind New Zealand after losing their third-place play-off to the Black Ferns in Sydney.

Australia will meet New Zealand, England and Brazil in the group stages in Las Vegas, the third of six stops on the world series tour.

Australia: Shannon Parry (co-capt), Sharni Williams (co-capt), Georgina Friedrichs, Mahalia Murphy, Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Charlotte Caslick, Chloe Dalton, Emma Sykes, Alicia Quirk, Emilee Cherry, Ellia Green.