The New Zealand women's sevens team will have extra motivation when they take the field tomorrow.
Forward Ruby Tui has returned home to recover from a bout of mumps which saw the whole team forced into isolation.
Sarah Goss, Stacey Waaka and Portia Woodman Photo: Photosport
Star winger Portia Woodman said Tui would not want to be used as motivation, but that is what was happening anyway.
"It's just exciting to know that we can play with an extra bit of mana behind us."
The team's captain, Sarah Goss, said sending Tui home was heartbreaking.
"She's a pretty special girl, and to lose her is devastating, and I know it's going to carry us on these next few days in our preparation and onto the Games."
Ruby Tui Photo: Photosport
"It obviously makes you realise that you're not here forever and one thing can take you out. It's made [us] not take anything for granted, and it's made us appreciate the support we've been given."
The Games is just below the Olympics in importance, Goss said - the top three countries in the world series are part of the tournament.
"It's going to be an extremely tough tournament, but I know that we've prepared well enough to perform and hopefully dominate."
The team is the current world series title holder, and the Olympic silver medal holder, so there is a fair amount of expectation on them.
Woodman said that comes with the territory.
"That's all part of being a New Zealand side playing rugby
"We love that kind of pressure, because if it wasn't there, then it wouldn't drive us to perform.
"Women's rugby, women's sport is on the rise. I think whatever we can contribute to this Games, and to the future of women's rugby and women's sport and inspiring the world, it's just something really special."
