Williams, the Australian captain, and veteran Shannon Parry have both re-committed to Rugby Australia for the additional year to ensure they have the opportunity of defending gold in Tokyo next year.

The pair were set to be part of the Australian team to travel to Tokyo this year, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the Olympic Games until 2021.

"I'm really proud to be re-committing to this team and to Rugby Australia," Williams said.

"Without doubt, this year has thrown up challenges for athletes both mentally and physically and for us as a group, it is about overcoming them and working hard to achieve our goal of Olympic gold again.

"This is an amazing group that is well coached by John (Manenti), and we have worked hard together to continue to prepare for what lies ahead.

"I'm excited for the next few months and to be committing to playing with this amazing group of women."

Williams, alongside Parry, led Australia to the gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Williams switched to the rugby sevens program in 2013 and has since gone on to earn 35 sevens caps, to go with her 19 Wallaroos caps in the 15s version of the game.

Australian women's coach John Manenti is pleased to have both Williams and Perry on board.

"We're really excited to lock in Sharni and Shannon for our Tokyo campaign," Manenti said.

"Both women are outstanding rugby players but also fantastic leaders in their own right and they have done a huge amount for women's rugby in Australia.

"Their character on and off the field is well known, but it is also how they prepare and guide this team through the highs and lows of rugby sevens that make them such assets to Australian rugby."

The Games have been pencilled in to start in late July next year.

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