Australia crashes out of sevens quarter-final

AUSTRALIA have failed to qualify for the world rugby sevens series quarter-finals in South Africa after pool losses to the United States and New Zealand in Cape Town.

After a first-up 36-12 victory over Spain, the Aussies lost 31-14 to the US and 35-12 to the Kiwis.

Australia dominated the Spaniards from the opening minute when Lachie Anderson scored a try. Simon Kennewell also crossed three times, while Maurice Longbottom and Matthew Hood scored in the second half.

After going ahead against the US through a Boyd Killingworth try, the Aussies couldn’t contain Carlin Isles, who crossed three times in the first half.

Australia reduced the margin after the break but the Americans sealed the game to add to their earlier win over NZ.

“We knew after Dubai that the USA team was going to come out a better team, but that’s the nature of this competition at the moment,” Australia coach Andy Friend said.

In the game to decide second place in the pool, the Kiwis shot out to a 21-0 halftime lead.

Australia fought back early in the second period through tries to Kennewell and Lewis Holland which reduced the deficit to 21-12 but that was as close as they got.

“We knew it was going to be a tough pool,” Friend said.

“We had our chances against USA and didn’t take them and coming up in a grand final match against the Kiwis, they were too good for us.”

Australia play Uganda in the challenge trophy finals this morning as they seek crucial series points to ensure the best possible seeding heading into the Sydney Sevens on the Australia Day long weekend next year.

“We know that the next tournament for us is our home tournament and that’s what is so disappointing,” Friend said.

“What is important now is that we come back tomorrow and make sure we come ninth.”