Dubai Sevens: Aussie men knocked out after quarter-final loss to Samoa

Australia's men have been knocked out of the Dubai Sevens by a Samoan outfit playing for a country in crisis.

With a state of emergency in place in Samoa due to a measles epidemic that has killed at least 65 people, emotions are running high in the Samoan team, with the players dedicating their 19-14 win to those at home.

"I dedicate this win to the people back in Samoa and we carry the weight of the nation in Dubai..."

Inspiring words from @manusamoa's captain Tomasi Alosio after his sides impressive victory over Australia in the cup quarter-final#Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/ocqPJMnKDZ

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 7, 2019

Australia had been among the form sides in Dubai and while they took a lead to halftime, could not hold Samoa out in the second half after having a man sent to the sin bin.

While they had a final chance to hit back in the dying seconds, the Aussies turned the ball over at the ruck after a 65m drive down field, to end their Dubai campaign. 

DAY THREE, 7:20pm, QUARTER-FINAL, SAMOA 19 DEF AUSTRALIA 14

Samoa scored first after Henry Hutchison shot out of the line and missed a one-on-one tackle against Belgium Tuatagaloa, who raced to the line to open his country's account.

Australia was starved of possession for the opening three minutes but once they gained the ball, they hit back, scoring a penalty try after Samoa's Joe Perez batted down a pass close to his own line.

Perez also earnt a stint in the sin bin for his efforts, although Samoa managed to avoid being scored against while down a man.

In a tight game, the Aussies earnt the upper hand before the break though, earning a turnover and working the left side to open Maurice Longbottom for a run to the line.

Australia led 14-7 at the break but Samoa soon equalised, with Joe Perez breaking a weak tackle attempt and racing away from a set scrum move.

The bad news continued for Australia at the restart, with Joe Pincus sent to the sin bin after a challenge on a player in the air.

Despite some desperate defence - including holding a player up over the line - the Aussies were unable to hold the Samoans out for the entire period Pincus was in the bin, with Perez scoring his second try of the match in the corner to give his team a lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

Back on level terms, the Aussies needed to travel the length of the field in the dying seconds in a bid to save the game. A 65m drive ended in despair though when Samoa earnt a turnover at the ruck to advance to the semi-final against South Africa.

DAY TWO, 1.10am AUSTRALIA 24 DEF USA 12

Australia will head into the quarter-finals with a shot of confidence after beating the most consistent side in the world last year to remain unbeaten in Dubai and top their pool.

With little seemingly on offer, a burst of acceleration allowed Lachie Anderson to squeeze between two defenders and get to the line for the opening try.

Australia was happy to control the ball after that, winding down the clock while in possession and controlling field position as the US continued to concede penalties.

Their patience was rewarded seconds before the break when Joe Pincus crossed, handing Australia a 12-0 lead at the break.

US strike forward Danny Barrett was sin binned for a late hit in the movement that led to the Pincus try and the Aussies made the most of their advantage early in the second term, pouncing on a mistake from their rivals with Henry Hutchison racing away to score and give his team a 19-0 lead.

The US broke through two minutes from time after Maka Unufe capitalised on the Australian defence shooting out of the line but when Hutchison scored his second try with just seconds remaining, the result was beyond doubt.

Will we see these two speedsters go toe to toe under the lights at the #Dubai7s? pic.twitter.com/oCjOd9FWGB

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 6, 2019

Carlin Isles scored a consolation try in the dying seconds finishing a move with a short dash to the line. There was to be no long-range square-off between the two fastest men in the sport though, with Aussie debutant Trae Williams only coming on in the final minute and Isles also starting on the bench before being injected into the game in the second half.

DAY TWO 7.25pm AUSTRALIA 45 IRELAND 21

Ireland showed their credentials on day one by only just losing to a strong USA team, but Australia flexed their muscle by downing the Irish in a one-sided game.

Continuing their excellent form in Dubai, the Aussies opened the scoring through a powerful run from Nick Malouf and then followed up quickly with a try to Henry Hutchison that came from some Maurice Longbottom magic.

When Josh Turner scored soon after, the Aussies were out to a commanding lead and a Jeral Skelton try could have had them in the sheds at 28-7.

🗣 Maurice Longbottom could sidestep you in a phone box....pass it on.#ImpactMoment #DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/igAd4C7BYl

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 6, 2019

A long post-siren stretch of play saw Ireland score their second, however, and at 28-14, it was game back on.

But Australia found several more gears in the second half, with strong defence leading to a long Joe Pincus runaway try, and another from Turner soon after kicked them clear.

Ireland clawed one try black but Lachie Anderson sealed the win with a try on the siren to ensure the Aussies stayed unbeaten after two games.

DAY ONE: AUSTRALIA 43 DEF SCOTLAND 14