The Aussie Women's Sevens have won their first event of the 2021-22 World Series, defeating Fiji in the Final.
A double to new skipper Demi Hayes leading a revamped sevens program helped Australia to a clinical 22-7 victory. Charlotte Caslick picked up where she left off, named Impact Player of the Tournament.
Meanwhile, the fresh Men's side showed plenty of talent as they secured a fifth-place finish.
They would fall to eventual champions South Africa in the Quarter-Final before victories against Ireland and Great Britain.
Australian Women 45 defeated USA Women 5
The Aussie Women's sevens kicked off their return to the World Series in style, with a convincing win over the USA. An opening try to Sharni Williams was enough to break the American defence, with tries to Faith Nathan and new captain, Demi Hayes, following in quick succession.
Hayes continued her on-field offensive right from the kick-off of the second half, crossing for her second try before Lily Dick followed moments after. Ilona Maher was next to cross, bringing the Americans into the match before Australia struck again, with Sariah Paki and Maddison Levi also adding to the scorecard.
Defeating USA 45 - 5, the Australian Women will next face Spain at 6:50pm AEDT.
Australia Men's 35 defeated Canada Men's 19
It was a back and fourth start to the Aussie Men's opening campaign against Canada as the opposition came out firing to score the first try of the game with an intercept. Nick Malouf leveled the score taking advantage of a barn-storming run from Josh Turner. The Canadians however took a lead late in the first half after Australia went down to six men from a yellow card to Henry Hutchison.
The Canadians took advantage of their lead with confidence and storm out of the first half. However, Australia charged ahead to produce an impressive three-try comeback from Nick Malouf and returning Billy Meakes which was topped off by Josh Turner who scored off a textbook line that sent him under the posts.
The score sat at 35-19 on the final buzzer with Australia facing Fiji next at 2:33am AEDT.
Australia Women's 34 defeated Spain 0
After winning their first match back in the World Sevens Series, the Aussie Women were near flawless in their second match of the day. Charlotte Caslick opened the scoring in less than two minutes which was quickly followed by Dom Du Toit and Faith Nathan with tries of their own. The side looked well-drilled scoring a number of tries through the hands to finish the first half with a 17-0 lead.
The second half was just as good with Lily Dick and Sharni Williams shining through as star performers. Charlotte Caslick got another two tries taking her only one try away from a historic century in her career, as the side put another three tries in total to bring the final score to 34-0.
The Women's Aussie 7s side will play Brazil tomorrow (Saturday 27 November) in their next match at 4:22pm AEDT.
Australia Men's 17 defeated France 10
Australia got off to a strong start against France as they surged to a 10-nil lead thanks to tries from Corey Toole and Dietrich Roache to hold the advantage at the break.
France struck back first in the second half as Jordan Sepho dotted down before Henry Hutchison put the game out of reach with two minutes to go, to secure Australia's second win on Day One.
Fiji Men's 17 defeated Australia Men's 12
FIji has denied the Aussie 7s men the chance of topping Pool A with a last-minute try securing victory.
Iowane Teba opened the scoring for the reigning Olympic Gold Medallists before an epic back and forth ensued. Several moments passed before a yellow card to Solomone Vosaicake looked to slow the Australian side. However, it didn't take them long to regain momentum, with Josh Turner crossing on the stroke of half-time to keep the men in gold ahead at the break.
Ben Dowling continued Australia's momentum in the second half before Teba again crossed for the Fijians. As both sides continued to press each other defence for weaknesses, Australia's would eventually break, with Iowane Raturaciri securing the win for Fiji.
The men will now advance to the quarter-final, taking on South Africa at 5:50pm AEDT
Australia Women's 38 defeated Brazil 5
Brazil dominated possession during the match's opening stages before a penalty saw Australia quickly enter the match, with Charlotte Caslick crossing for her 100th try on the World Series. Madison Ashby was next to cross for the Australian's following a barnstorming run from Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea before Caslick crossed again to give the Australian's a 19-0 lead at halftime.
Sharni Williams was next to celebrate in a match of records, scoring her 50th World Series Try straight out of the blocks as the Aussie extended their lead. Brazil finally broke the Australian defence to get on the scorecard, with Isadora Cerullo crossing for the South Americans. However, it would be Maddison Levi who rounded out the match with a double, running the field's length to secure the 38-5 victory.
Cup Quarter Final - Australia Men's 5 defeated by South Africa 29
South Africa have claimed their 16th consecutive win over the Australian sevens during the sides Cup Quarter Final in Dubai. The side nearly kept Australia scoreless during the first half with tries to JC Pretorius and Siviwe Soyizwapi before Henry Hutchison brought the Aussies into the match on the stroke of half-time.
Australia looked to attack in the second half, however, despite their best efforts, South Africa continued to steam ahead with a second try to Soyizwapi before Selvyn Davids, and Tiaan Pretorius crossed for tries of their own, rounding out the score 29-5
France 22 defeated by Australia Women's 24
Australia came storming out of their last match of the pool rounds as Sharni Williams opened with a 50 metre try to score under the posts. The French were quick to reply scoring the next minute to give themselves a two-point lead. Sharni Williams refused to stay out of the lead linking up with Charlotte Caslick to score another down the middle. France was able to level the scores just before the first half bell.
The second half was a nail-biter with Demi Hayes giving her side the lead to start. France followed with a reply of their own however it was Dom Du Toit who was the start of the show scoring just before the end. The French came up with a reply but weren't able to level the game with a missed conversion to give Australia the win by two points.
5th place Semi-Final - Ireland 14 defeated by Australia Men's 35
Australia came out with a commanding lead to start the first half with tries from Corey Toole and Nick Malouf. It was a strong finish as well with a brilliant 50m try from Dietrich Roache giving the Aussie's a 21 point lead to finish the half.
Despite Ireland finishing strong Australia were just too hard to stop in the second half with tries from Josh Turner and Dietrich Roache. Roach ended up the star performer in the game earning himself two tries and one try assist in the 35-14 win for the Aussies.
5th Place Final - Australia Men's 35 defeated Great Britain 21
Defense was the name of the game in the first half with only three tries scored in total. Dietrich Roache opened the scoring with some fantastic bit of individual play beating two men to find the gap for the first try. Great Britain conceded a yellow card going down to six men which was followed promptly by a Henry Hutchison try. The half ended close with the opposition getting one back with the teams heading to the sheds with a 14-7 scoreline.
Australia fired out of the second half as Corey Toole took control of the contest scoring two tries. He followed with a key pass that sent Josh Turner over the line putting his side in charge to take the game. Great Britain ended with grace and scored two late tries to finish the match 35 -21.
Cup Final, Australia Women's 22 defeated Fiji 7
Clinical is one of the many words you could describe the Aussie Women's performance in the Cup Final in Dubai. Demi Hayes opened the scoring account with an individual try using her footwork to find space and run forty metres to score. It was Lily Dick who quickly followed suit gathering a well-placed cross-kick but still with work to do beat the last defender to go over the line. To finish the half Faith Nathan shook an aggressive Fijian defence to put teammate Charlotte Caslick in to score with the side heading to the sheds with a 17-0 lead.
It was much the same in the second half with Demi Hayes opening the second half scoring account with a flawless team try that displayed some textbook sevens rugby. Fiji rallied to finish the game and ended with a try of their own leaving the final score at 22-7.
