IN 2000 it was Cathy Freeman, in 2004 it was Anna Meares, while in 2008 and 2012 it was our women’s swimming relay teams that simply could not be stopped from claiming Olympic gold.

Well, in 2016, it appears that Australia’s women’s sevens rugby team will emerge as “sure things” to claim the gold medal after their sensational start to the world series.

Australia has won the opening two tournaments, including an undefeated campaign to triumph at the Sao Paulo Sevens on Monday, to lead the series by 12 points over rivals New Zealand.

And they haven’t being fielding their full-strength team, with some star players still injured.

The women’s sevens team stormed home to win the final 29-0 against Canada in Sao Paulo, having also held scoreless Fiji (10-0) and USA (34-0) on their way to the decider.

It followed their series win in the opening tournament in Dubai, where they defeated Russia 33-12 in the final, and with just three tournaments remaining before the Rio Games in August, Australia will be heavy favourites for the Olympic crown if they maintain their form.

“We’re a good team and we want to be able to be a good team in all conditions,” Australia’s coach Tim Walsh said.

“Everyone wants to win a World Series but in the back of everyone’s mind is making sure we are peaking for Rio in August.

“Full credit to the girls for the way they perform and the way they train for the results. They try and better themselves constantly and it has made us the outfit we are today.”

Ellia Green, captain Shannon Parry, Evania Pelite, Amy Turner and Alicia Quirk were star performers for Australia in the Sao Paulo win.

HSBC WOMEN’S SEVENS WORLD SERIES TABLE (TOP EIGHT):

1. Australia (40 points)

2. New Zealand (28 points)

3. Canada (28 points)

4. France (26 points)

5. England (24 points)

6. Russia (22 points)

7. Fiji 18 points

8. USA 16 points