Opals coach Brendan Joyce believes Liz Cambage can deliver for Australia at Rio Olympics

OPALS coach Brendan Joyce has backed Liz Cambage to put recent distractions aside and become a dominant force at the Rio Olympics.

LIZ CAMBAGE’S historic London slam dunk was the shot heard around the basketball world.

Now Opals coach Brendan Joyce has backed her to put recent distractions aside and become a dominant force at the Rio Olympics.

An Australian team featuring a handful of London 2012 veterans won world championships bronze in 2014 despite losing Cambage a week out.

She ruptured her achilles tendon then last year was dumped for the Rio qualifiers for attending a music festival instead of a training camp.

But after enduring a recent racism furore with teammate Alice Kunek, Cambage is finally ready to move on.

She and Kunek, since cut from the squad, were able to openly discuss and resolve their issues with Cambage now focusing on Rio.

The 203cm centre has the physical and attacking game to push the dominant American side which are favourites to defend their Olympic title.

“We have got Elizabeth back into the fold and she is working hard and doing everything she can,’’ Joyce said.

“She still has a way to go but with her height at six foot eight and her skills, she is a very difficult player to play against.

Liz Cambage has rejoined the Opals squad. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“That is something we didn’t have at the world championships. She just has that skill package with her ability to shoot the ball.

“And from a defensive point of view when players drive she can intimidate. So it’s an extra weapon we didn’t have at the worlds.”

Australia has thrived playing an up-tempo style since Joyce took over in 2013, but must attempt to replace the irreplaceable in retired star Lauren Jackson.

The Opals leave next week for a three-game tour of Japan, who Australia will play in Rio as one of their five pool games.

Joyce is aware of the task ahead in dethroning the United States but believes his tight-knit side has improved since that world championships bronze.

Opals coach Brendan Joyce says Liz Cambage can intimidate the opposition. Picture: Ian Wilson

“The USA will be as dominant as ever and I would imagine they would have eight or nine players returning from London.

“They have destroyed everyone at the last three Olympics but we are the closest team to them in the last 80 games.

“We only lost by 12 at the world championships and we can take heart out of that.

“We lost Lizzie with her achilles and we haven’t had Lauren for a while, so having Lizzie against them will help us.

“Our style of play surprised them, it’s a really aggressive style of play and we defend hard so we pretty balanced offensively and defensively.”

Originally published as Opals coach Brendan Joyce believes Liz Cambage can deliver for Australia at Rio Olympics