On Friday they will find themselves thrust into the national spotlight, and playing alongside and against Olympic gold medallists, when they run out for the UNE Lions in the inaugural women’s Uni 7s competition.

The four-tournament series kicks off in Tasmania, with further rounds to follow in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and will also see Warialda’s Rhiannon Byers line up for the Lions.

Resch and Schmiedel have both been named in the starting seven for the Lions, with Schmiedel to play on the left wing and Resch a pivot and fullback role.

For both, football is in their blood, although up until now that has predominantly been rugby league, touch or oztag.

They got their first taste of rugby playing in the Tamworth Rugby Club’s sevens competition earlier in the year, and after being approached about trying out for the Lions squad, they thought they’d have a crack.

Both admitted that being named in the 12 for Tasmania, let alone the starting seven, was a big surprise given their lack of sevens experience.

But what they lack in rugby knowledge they make up for in talent, with both representative players in touch and oztag.

They said the laws of the game have been the biggest thing to learn, although sevens is a little easier to learn than 15-a-side rugby, Resch said. And because there is more room when you get hemmed in, players can use their skill and speed to stay alive, she added.

Proficient at pretty well any sport she tries her hand at, Resch said sevens is the hardest sport she has played. “There’s so much room. You’re just sprinting the whole time,” she said.

A 14-minute game is more exhausting than a full game of league tag, she added.

Having played pretty well all of their football together, the pair believe their combination works in their favour.

“It is really good that Ab and I have played together. We know each other’s games and have got our own little moves,” Resch said.

This weekend will be the first time the full Lions squad have played together. Their national players were unavailable for their trial games against Bond University and the University of Queensland.

They beat UQ and narrowly went down to Bond, which they have drawn a lot of confidence from. “UQ are set to win it [the Uni 7s]. They are the favourites,” Schmiedel said.

Resch said when they played Bond, the Queenslanders had their starting seven and they were pretty well all local girls. She thinks the Lions can match them in Tasmania.

The Lions have also drawn the University of Canberra.

“In a 14-minute game anything can happen,” Resch said. “We’ve just got to hold the ball.”

On an enjoyable journey, the duo hope their rugby adventure is not coming to an end.

“They’re giving away three potential contracts into the Australian squad,” Resch said.