New Australia Women's captain Bella Nasser couldn't have dreamed of a better start to her tenure after taking out the Dubai title.
Nasser hoisted the trophy high as the Australians made it five straight title wins in the UAE, defeating New Zealand in the Final.
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She'd been appointed to the role weeks before the event by coach Tim Walsh and took over from Charlotte Caslick, with the Sevens superstar freed up by the decision as she delivered a Player of the Final performance to take down the Olympic champions.
“I had been added into a leadership group, probably midway through our pre-season alongside a couple of the other girls. I didn't really change too much what I've been doing and then I got told maybe a week or two before we headed off to Dubai, Nasser told Rugby.com.au
“It was really special and to have all the girls hug me at training and get really excited after the announcement, that was probably the most special part just having the support of them and the support of my coaching staff.
"Winning any tournament is so special and then to do it on my first one captaining was just a cherry on top. I was really proud of how the girls performed then over the whole tournament, but most importantly in the semi and the final, I think we really stood up and gave it our all.
"We played with no fear. That was the main thing about it all and I was really proud of them so it was really special."
The 22-year-old credits Caslick and her Rio teammates for getting her into the sport and often picks her brains about leadership and how to get the best out of the side.
“Off the back of her Rio success, it created a rugby program in Brisbane State High in Queensland and that's where I came from" she explained. "I took part in and then I joined the team with her, which is pretty surreal I guess you could say if it wasn't for Charlotte and the girls in Rio, I probably wouldn't be here in Cape Town captaining the side so it's pretty special.
“She’s always going to be such an important part of World Rugby as well as Rugby Australia and she's a really important part of our team. I'm so lucky to have her in the side mentoring me and talking me through each step of the way.
“All the girls have so much respect for her so her word is so important and when she delivers it, it's powerful and everyone really listens to it. We work in tandem with Walshy as well to make sure the message that we want to be delivered is the right one. I just pick my moments and just take it game by game, minute by minute and see what has to be done.
“Honestly, in Dubai, there wasn't much to be said. The girls were on fire.”
Nasser has only established herself as a regular starter in the past 12 months yet has become one of the more experienced players in the squad as coach Tim Walsh issues in a fresh wave of players.
Six players in the Cape Town squads have made less than five World Series appearances, including debutant Mackenzie Davis.
“It’s a reflection of how good our program is each year we’re rolling through new and young players and those players keep maturing and developing," she explains.
“I'm really excited for Mackenzie Davis, particularly this weekend to make her debut. She's an awesome young player coming through the ranks and I'm really excited for her to show the world what she can do.
“We saw Kahli Henwood, Piper Simons and Kiiahla Duff show the world what they’re made of. I think it's just really exciting seeing all young players come through and I hope to do my role to help them out whenever they need, but also focus on myself and focus on what I need to do to be a better player in person too.”
