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Last weekend marked Australia’s first Cup success on the IRB Sevens World Series since Brisbane 2002. With this weekend’s Edinburgh Sevens the final leg of the season, the Australians have now moved into third position on the overall log with Fiji.

UR7s’ Robin Heymann spoke to captain James Stannard to gauge the mood in the camp, London celebrations and future tournaments on the horizon for the Green and Gold.

James how proud were you of your team’s outstanding performance last weekend?

Ah mate, really proud of them. It went really well and we stuck together and finally did it.

Was it a victory that has been brewing for a while on the IRB Sevens?

Yeah we’ve come close this season in various tournaments getting to a Cup semi-final and Samoa knocking them off. And we have shown up well in other events, winning the Plate. It was just great to finally get over the line.

Did you have time to celebrate the victory at all in London?

Yeah we did go and have a few beers, but we are very much more focused on backing up it up this weekend at Murrayfield. We really want to come away with another Cup.

Is it important you build on your win to avoid being labelled a ‘one hit wonder’?

Ha definitely! Look we’ve had a good year with big improvements but it would be nice to get into the Cup semi-finals or another final so we don’t get that tag. I’m sure we will go well.

With some of this season’s side unavailable for this European stretch with World Junior Championship commitments, were you surprised the breakthrough came when it did?

Not really we have a lot of depth back home. With a lot of young players coming through. The guys that have come in are just as strong as players who haven’t made it over for these few tournaments.

As someone who slightly older (27) than the rest of the young Aussies side, are you a paternal figure to the young pups?

Ha, yeah I do get a bit of stick for the boys for being ‘older’. Yeah they probably do a bit but to be honest I’m probably more immature then the rest of them though!

It must be encouraging for you guys to see players in the sevens programme sign professional terms with Super Rugby franchises?

Yeah there have been quite a few this year that have been picked up by the Reds, with our captain Pat McCutcheon being picked up by the Waratahs. It’s a great stepping stone for youngsters to play in front of big crowds in an international environment and pick up a professional contract back home.

And from a personal point of view, you were on the standout performers at last weekend’s London Sevens. Are you hoping to get picked up?

Yeah absolutely that would be nice! It’s something to think about a bit further down the line outside of camp.

Australians love getting behind nation in big sporting events. Is their excitement for October’s Commonwealth Games?

Yeah we want to get some good momentum heading into the Commonwealth Games and aim for the medal for people back home. I think we are really on the right track.

For a young side you must be able to learn lots from coach Mick O’Connor, who is former dual code international for Australia?

It’s great he has so much experience and he has a good brain on him which the players can feed off. It’s great he can guide us.

It’s not a bad life you live playing sevens around the world! Any places that stick out?

I’ve enjoyed all of them to be fair. Wellington was great and Hong Kong was amazing with just the sheer numbers their present. But last weekend really topped it winning the Cup with all mates!

And following the Edinburgh this weekend you head to Roma Sevens next weekend?

Yeah it is going to be a good chance for guys from some on the non-regular starters to get some game-time and put their hands up for the Commonwealth Games. We’ve heard it is fun place over there!