Australia are through to the quarter-finals at the Hamilton Sevens after two wins and a desperately close defeat to powerhouse Fiji.
In a tough pool, wins over Argentina and Wales did enough to book a playoffs spot but hopes of topping pool A were dashed when they were beaten 26-19 by Fiji.
Australia had a chance to draw at the death but it wouldn’t have been enough to top the pool, in any case.
The Aussies will take on old foes and hosts New Zealand, meaning they’ll have to bring their A-game to progress into the semi-finals.
5.52pm Fiji 26 Australia 19
A desperate Fijian ankle-tap in injury time denied Australia a last-gasp try and a draw in their final pool game of day one at Hamilton Sevens.
The Australian team trailed 19-7 in the first half and it looked to be another punishing Fijian masterclass unfolding but the Aussies fought back gallantly to make a fight of it.
After Sevoluni Mocenacagi and Aminasi Tuimaba scored early in the first half, Lachie Anderson showed good wheels to score Australia’s first.
Australian mistakes kept getting punished, and Kalione Nasoko scored via a dropped ball.
Your Cup quarter-finalists at the #NZSevens @fijirugby v @RugbyCanada @Blitzboks v @manusamoa @AllBlacks7s v @Aussie7s @USARugby v @Scotlandteam
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 26, 2019
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But when Australia held the ball they troubled Fiji and after a long phase of play, Maurice Longbottom scooted through a gap to score two minutes past the halftime siren.
Australia kept up the physicality and the pressure in the second half, and Lewis Holland scored in the 10th minute after some strong bump-and-offload work from the men in gold.
At 19-all, the Aussies were coming home strong but defensive errors from Anderson saw the Fijians score another and it would prove to be enough.
Australia had a brilliant chance to score after the full-time siren when Ben O’Donnell cut through the middle but after dummying to Nick Malouf, a desperate ankle tap from Vilimoni Botitu brought O’Donnell down 20 metres out and with no-one in front of him.
Fiji won a penalty at the breakdown and the game was done.
1:20pm – Australia 26 – Wales 5
Australia are two from two after notching up another win over Wales 26-5.
The Aussies were robbed of possession early on but they managed to get the ball back into Bed O’Donnell’s hands and the Aussie danger man crossed for his second try of the tournament, for a 7-0 lead.
Lachlan Anderson put Australia further out in front adding another five points shortly after.
Australia’s debutant Josh Coward and fellow youngster both got in on the action by crossing for tries, extending the Aussies lead 26-0 before the break.
Wales was the first to respond in the second when youngster and former track sprinter Rio Dyer darted down the left wing to claim his first try on debut.
Wales tried to create more magic but great defensive work from Australia kept them at bay till the final buzzer.
Simon Kennewell was strong in his return to the series after a serious knee injury last year, assisting in Australia’s 26 tackle count giving the Aussies plenty of confidence heading into their final pool game against Fiji at 5:52pm AEDT.
9:30am – Australia 17 - Argentina 12
Australia have clinched a thrilling victory against Argentina in their opening game Hamilton 17-12.
The Aussies put pressure on the Pumas early and Ben O’Donnell made the most of a line break to draw first blood 5-0.
Argentina responded with some fancy footwork moments later with a sublime grubber kick to Marcos Moroni levelling things up.
Australia fought back with a gutsy effort from Henry Hutchison, who notched up another five pointer after being caught deep inside their own 22. The try gave the Aussie the lead into the break.
Lewis Holland picked up where things had left off for Australia when the captain crossed for another five pointer in the second half, for his 97th career try.
Argentina didn’t give up, though, as they crossed for their second try, with German Schultz closing the gap on the Aussies 17 – 12.
With 80 seconds to go things turned tense for the Aussies, and a knock-on from Nick Malouf gave the Pumas a glimpse of hope with 13 seconds left on the clock.
But an incredible defensive effort from skipper Lewis Holland put possession back in Australia’s favour, and they held on for the win.
Australia next face Wales at 1:20pm AEDT.
AUSTRALIAN FIXTURES DAY ONE
Australia v Argentina, 9.30am (AEDT)
Australia v Wales, 1.20pm (AEDT)
Australia v Fiji, 5.52pm (AEDT)
