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Ellia Green dreamed from a young age of lighting up the athletic world at the Olympics, but a strange opportunity in 2012 saw the sprinter turn to a whole new sport -- one with a ball -- for her chance to represent Australia in Rio de Janeiro.Green, a 100-metre and 200-metre specialist, had been training for years to reach the Olympics, yet it was some gentle prodding from her mum that saw her turn one dream into another. And after attending a Pathways to Gold rugby sevens trial in 2012, the rest, as they say, is history. Green is now among the biggest names in the womens game after a four-year rugby journey full of broken bones and long sideline stints.Its crazy to finally be an Olympian, Green told ESPN. Its been a very long journey, four years playing rugby sevens, and even longer than that training for track and field.The 100- and 200-metre sprints were the original dream, but this opportunity came up in 2012. I wasnt planning on playing rugby -- it was spontaneous. I didnt know anything about rugby, and it was my mum who suggested it.She told me, Why dont you just give it a go? My cousin was going to a trial that day, and I drove her, so it was a bit of being in the right place at the right time.Green, 23, became one of 80 women selected at the Melbourne trials and was sent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for further trials. A little hesitant at first, especially because she had little knowledge of the sport, Green decided to take the plunge.I had no idea about sevens. Id watched a little bit of it at the Commonwealth Games, but I still didnt know the rules. I did know that Fiji was really good at it, and with Fijian heritage I was always cheering for them. But I didnt know a great deal about it, so I was so nervous to even go to the trials in Canberra and go to the next stage.I said to my mum, I dont know why they picked me. I dont know anything about the game. All I know how to do is lift and run, lift weights and run fast. But I was lucky enough that that got me over the line.Green impressed everyone with her speed and natural ability, and moved quickly through the system. Her progress was so rapid that she was selected to represent Australia in the Womens Sevens World Series within six months of taking up the game.But the transition wasnt without its challenges, particularly the tough decision to abandon her sprinting hopes on the track.It was tough [making the decision to give up athletics]. It was a huge decision, Green told ESPN. In sprinting you spend a lot of long hours with your coach, just one-on-one, so you build a close relationship. So to say to him, Im going to go to Canberra to try rugby sevens, he was like, Why? You have a huge career ahead of you that you can pursue in athletics. He wasnt too pleased about it, as you would be.Green credits her brave move to her mums instincts.My mum just said, Opportunities like this dont come around too often, so you just have to give it a go. So I went with my mums instinct because I feel mums are right 99 percent of the time, and she was, and here I am.While the transition to rugby star went relatively smoothly, Green says it wasnt easy learning the fast-paced, physical sport -- starting from the basics of running and catching.It was [a] huge transition, she told ESPN. I feel like rugby sevens is one of the toughest sports to actually play. Its so tough on the body because youre almost training for an 800-metre race, gaining the endurance of an 800-metre race and also dealing with the physicality, like a boxer. So I think the hardest part about learning was just about the repeat efforts coming into sevens.Training for track, you get a lot of recovery time; its more about short explosive power. Whereas in sevens, its more like you have to do an 80-metre sprint, get up and make a tackle and chase her down.Its so demanding physically and for your aerobic fitness.The first time Green was tackled left a bigger impression, however.I think I can remember the actual moment [I first got tackled]. I think I got so badly winded I was making all these gasping sounds, lying on the ground. Thats when I knew this was going to be a tough sport.Thats the one thing my mum wasnt so keen about, telling me, Ellia, why cant you choose a sport where youre not going to get injured? So I told her not to worry, and that she couldnt wrap me up in cotton wool.Four years later, Ive had about five operations, teeth missing, a broken arm, dislocated shoulder -- you know, all that. But its been so much fun along the way.Learning to tackle wasnt that much easier.Tackling took a little while to pick up, and you know were still learning today to really improve our tackle effectiveness. But I think I just watched the more experienced players, like Sharni [Williams] and Shannon [Parry] and my best friend, Amy Turner; they have the perfect technique of how to tackle, and I still watch them and look up to being as good at defence as they are.The Australian womens side, the Pearls, head into the Olympics as clear gold-medal favourites after winning the 2016 sevens series title.But Green said there is plenty of competition within the womens draw.The top three teams that wed really keep an eye out for would be New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain. But then also teams like Fiji, France and Spain are all stepping up out of the ranks. I think come Olympic Games, itll be anyones game, because everyone will be there to win. Braden Holtby Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. 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After a captivating weekend of Champions Cup action we take a look at the players that might have been chosen on their performances in round two.?15. Simon Zebo (Munster)He provided a spark in the Munster back-line on a very emotional day. He somehow managed to get in for a try, despite Stuart Hogg looking to drag him over the sideline and three Glasgow defenders trying to prevent him from crossing the whitewash.14. Christian Wade (Wasps)Wade was instrumental in the Wasps fightback as his break led to them tying the game at 13-13. As the game entered the final quarter he took advantage of some tired legs. In defence he took a good mark under pressure and got in some good tackles.13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)Davies crossed for a try for the Scarlets in their defeat to Saracens but with better players alongside him will improve during the November internationals for Wales after putting in regular good performances with the Welsh region.12. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)Ringrose was immense for Leinster as they fought back to gain a losing-bonus point and remain top of the pool. He has improved his defensive display and his ability to run at defences could see him as an outside chance at a Lions spot. Joe Schmidt will have to pick him for Ireland first.11. Jonny May (Gloucester)In his first match since December, May looked dangerous against Treviso in the Challenge Cup and got a try for his troubles.?10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)If he continues in his current form, and playing at the highest level, Farrell looks to have the 10 jersey nailed down. Another brilliant performance from the out-half as he controlled the game. His kicking was brilliant and set the back-line alight.9. Kieran Marmion (Connacht)The scrum-half has performed at a high level regularly for the Province, but with Connachts rise of Pro 12 Champions to clinch a place in the Champions Cup, surely his part in that should be rewarded at international level, and an outsiide pick for the Lions.dddddddddddd.FORWARDS1. Mako VunipolaThe front rower was at his devastating best against Scarlets and his offloading skills were once again on show. When he gets players one-on-one his ability to hand-off comes into play. Very difficult to take down in attack and brilliant at the breakdown.2. Tom YoungsA real captains shift. Led from the front with physicality in defence and around the ruck. And not one line out throw went awry which allowed his backs front foot ball.3. Dan ColeA solid performance for Cole and Leicester to bounce back from their opening round drubbing at Glasgow, putting his body on the line to stop the Racing attack.4 Joe LaunchburySolid at lineout time, made a nuisance of himself around the breakdown and was ever present in the defensive line as Toulouse battered the Wasps line, when they were ahead. Brilliant effort kept them at bay.5.?Iain HendersonUlsters Henderson has had an incredible rise since coming on the scene and showed his force and defensive strength as Ulster edged Exeter. They withstood the challenge without conceding a try and Henderson ability to switch from second row to back row would benefit the Lions.6. Peter OMahonyAnother standout performance from the Munster victory over Glasgow. His clean-out capability was shown as he cleared two Glasgow defenders out of a ruck in the lead up to the first try.7. Brendon OConnorIt wasnt pretty at times against Racing 92 but OConnor was a leader in the forward pack and added a try in their victory.?8. CJ StanderThe Munster man has put in some memorable performances in the red jersey since he came and once more stepped up as the Irish Province played 60 minutes with 14 players. His ball carrying ability, offloading and tackling will prove some obstacle to dislodging him from this spot for the Lions. ' ' '