How the Women’s Sevens Team Will Carry New Zealand's Expectations All the Way To Rio

If you pull on a black jersey in international rugby, you also pull on a suit of chain-metal armour.

The legacy of that jersey, of all the things that have been accomplished in it and how it makes your country feel better about itself makes you stronger. It makes you walk taller, and more confidently.

But, like a chain metal, it can also weigh you. To wear a black jersey at rugby's top level is to carry a weight of scrutiny and expectation that few others in world sport understand, save perhaps Brazilian footballers.

Tyla Nathan-Wong understands that the weight.

Nathan-Wong was last week named in New Zealand's womens rugby sevens squad to compete in the first-ever sevens Olympic tournament in Rio next month.

One of the biggest stars on the Kiwi women's team, the 22-year-old Aucklander knows that her nation will be glued to their television sets back home, expecting nothing less than a gold medal around her neck at the end of the tournament.

Balancing that pressure, as well as the team's own, is key, Nathan-Wong says. That, as well as knowing that if it isn't your day, it isn't your day.

"Being from New Zealand, you know we are known as a rugby nation, so there is always that expectation for us to do well," she tells VICE Sport AUNZ.

"The All Blacks have done what they have done over the years, and also the All Blacks sevens. So, yes, there is that expectation.

"But for us, it is the pressure we put on ourselves. As a team, as long as we stay unified and work together, we're sure we'll see good results."

"[But] sevens is such an unpredictable sport," she continues.

"You could be known as the best going in, but, on the day, if you don't perform, a dropped pass or a missed tackle could be the end of your tournament."

An Adidas athlete clip of Tyla Nathan-Wong.

Her team knows all about that this year. Despite New Zealand's traditional dominance in the sport – at both at the 15-person and 7-person levels – the Kiwi women's sevens team hasn't been at their best in the 2015/16 season.

In fact, this year's iteration – its fourth - of the World Rugby Women's Sevens series is the first that New Zealand haven't won. The Kiwis finished second overall to Australia; reaching four semifinals at the five circuit tournaments, but failing to win a round.

That means that Australia will carry the tag of favourites into Rio, while teams like Canada and England, who finished third and fourth, have arguably just as much likelihood has claiming Olympic glory in South America.

"We didn't start the greatest, or do well early," Nathan-Wong says.

"Obviously we finished fifth at the first tournament [in Dubai], but we have seen improvement every tournament we've been to. That's the good thing, making those improvements and continuing to progress."

Injuries have affected the team this season, Nathan-Wong says, but it is also provided the Kiwis with an opportunity to blood younger players.

That's evident in the 12-strong squad for Rio, with veterans like Kayla McAlister and Portia Woodman heading to the Games alongside young guns like Ruby Tui. Niall Williams, sister of All Black and sevens superstar Sonny Bill, was also selected by coach Sean Horan.

"This World Series, you've seen a changes in the team," Nathan-Wong, who has been a mainstay of the New Zealand team over the last four seasons, says.

"There's been injuries and other things happening, meaning there has been an opportunity for some of our younger players to come in and experience it.

"That gives you depth. You never know what happens at the Olympics. [With injuries occurring], you could have a completely different team, especially with rugby as a contact sport."

Both forms of women's rugby have struggled for profile over the years, but the inclusion of sevens, in 2013, at the Rio Games helped. Nations with little rugby history have become regulars on the sevens circuit. New Zealand's pool opponents in Rio – France, Kenya and Spain – are testament to that.

BRAZIL'S STAIRWAY TO OLYMPIC RUGBY'S SEVENS HEAVEN

Nathan-Wong sees the Games as a "massive opportunity" for women's rugby.

"Women's rugby, in the past, hasn't been seen or heard from as much," she says.

"Numbers have been really low, but since its introduction to the Olympics it has just grown. That's not just New Zealand – that's everywhere around the world.

"Look at the sevens," she continues. "We go into tournament now and you just can't take any game lightly – it's about being on form, on the day."

A talented touch rugby playing growing up, Nathan-Wong never thought she'd compete at the Olympics – though did find great inspiration in New Zealand's top female Olympians.

She cites Sarah Ulmer's cycling gold for New Zealand in 2004 and Valerie Adams shot-put triumphs in 2008 and 2012 as important moments for her as a young female athlete.

She'll need to channel that inspiration in Rio, but, then again, all Nathan-Wong will need to do to remind her of the importance of her job there will be to look down and see the colour of her jersey. Quite the suit of armour.