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Star Australia Sevens recruit Henry Speight says the switch from 15s has tested his lungs but the prospect of a trip to the Olympics means the hard work is more than worth it.

Speight will make his HSBC Sevens World Series debut this weekend when the 2015-2016 season kicks off in Dubai, the first of 10 tournaments the Olympic qualifiers will look to use as a springboard for the Rio di Janeiro Games.

Just five weeks ago, Speight held a front seat as the Wallabies made it all the way to the Rugby World Cup final before they were defeated by the All Blacks. But he has since been on the Sevens fast-track, with the change in fitness systems, in particular, offering its challenges.

"Yeah, very good thanks," Speight told ESPN from Dubai when asked how his short period of transition was progressing.

"It's been a bit tough on the lungs and the body, but it's come along well in the past two or three weeks. I'm just getting back into the groove and trying to get the conditioning for Sevens that you need ... there's a lot more running and the running is a lot different to 15s."

Fiji-born Speight spent much of his childhood playing the "national sport" of Sevens in the Pacific, and he continued that when he moved to New Zealand during his high school years.

The Brumbies flyer has had precious little Sevens exposure since his move to Canberra in 2011, but the prospect of an Olympic berth means the long hours on the training paddock - the Aussies are running double sessions in the Dubai heat this week - are of little consequence.

"First to qualify and to be able to participate in an Olympics, it's the pinnacle of any sport really and for us it's no different," Speight said.

"Personally, just being able to compete in an Olympics, being part of an Opening Ceremony wearing a green jacket with the rest of the Australian Olympic team, would be a more than a dream come true.

"Being part of an Olympics has probably never been part of a rugby player's dream; but since a few years ago it has become a possibility and, for us, as of a few weeks ago, that has become a reality. So it's a surreal feeling to have."

While Speight missed the opportunity to face the country of his birth during the World Cup - he was left out of the matchday 23 when the Wallabies defeated Fiji 27-14 in Cardiff - he will almost certainly have the chance to tackle the Flying Fijians in one of the four tournaments - Dubai, Sydney, Hong Kong and London - he has been slated to contest between Super Rugby commitments.

The Pacific Islanders are the defending champions of the HSBC Series, and Speight is looking forward to a maiden match-up - whenever it eventuates.

"Yeah, of course, for me it's always a massive honour playing against Fiji," he said.

"Obviously growing up, the ultimate dream is to play for Fiji. When I was growing up everyone wanted to play for Fiji on the biggest stage, which is Hong Kong Sevens, and then the other events on the HSBC Series. So I guess the biggest moment I can have is to play against Fiji: my homeland.

"I will do my best for Australia and then after the final whistle we can go and get a kava or something."

Australia commence their campaign in Dubai against Kenya on Friday before further pool games against Wales and England.