Australian Diamonds star Mo'onia Gerrard said she will put her netball career on hold for a chance of joining the Australia's women's rugby squad in the next Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.

Gerrard, who will miss Australia's five-Test Constellation Cup clash with New Zealand in September and a two-test battle against Malawi in October, said the decision to forego her commitment with the Diamonds was a tough decision. However, she explained that playing for Australian seven's rugby team has been a dream of her since she was a child.

"The decision to forgo selection was difficult to make with the Commonwealth Games just over 12 months away, but I've always harboured the dream of playing rugby sevens for Australia," Gerrard said in a statement, according to New Zealand-based publication.

The 32-year-old Gerrard made her debut with the Diamonds in 2004, playing against a strong South African side. She went on to collect 68 international Test appearances and two world championships (2007 and 2010) with the Australian netball team.

Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has been supportive of Gerrard's decision to play for a new sport, believing her feisty defender will be a great asset for the Australian sevens rugby team.

"I have little doubt that she will strike fear into opposition eyes on the rugby field just like she did on the netball court with her physical presence, great hands, natural athleticism and sheer determination to succeed," Alexander said on Wednesday.