The Australian Men's Sevens have started their HSBC World Series title defence with a bang, defeating Fiji 20-17 in the Hong Kong final.
The Series returns to the iconic venue after several years off due to COVID, with Australia opening their campaign with a 43-0 win against the hosts on November 4 (10:03 pm AEDT).
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This was followed by a 22-17 defeat to Samoa before holding on to eliminate New Zealand 24-17 as they finished second in their pool.
They then survived two tight encounters to get over Ireland and France before facing a Fiji side looking for a sixth Hong Kong title in a row.
Trailing 12-0, the Australians refused to give up and once again dug deep, with Henry Hutchison scoring a double and setting up another to get them within striking distance.
Nathan Lawson then struck, powering his way over in the corner to seal an incredible win.
Australia have started strong, cruising to a 43-0 victory over Hong Kong.
Dietrich Roache picked up from where he left off as the leading point scorer from last season as he scored a rapid-fire double inside 3 minutes.
Nick Malouf added a try before the break to extend the lead to 17-0 at half-time.
Josh Turner continued their dominance into the second half, scoring a double whilst debutant Kye Oates sealed the win with a late try to get their campaign off to the perfect start
Samoa has taken victory on the siren, claiming a 22-17 win over Australia.
After a lung-burning start, Henry Hutchison opened the scoring for Australia, stretching out from close.
Uaina Sione hit back for Samoa, who upset New Zealand on day one, before Henry Paterson sprinted away to put Australia up 12-5 at the break.
Australia was reduced to six men when Josh Turner was yellow carded for a late tackle after a Owen Niue try, allowing Samoa to tie it up via Via Apelu Maliko
With the game in the balance, Samoa missed a penalty kick to win it before re-gathering possession as Maliko crossed for his second in the corner on the siren.
Australia have eliminated New Zealand from the Hong Kong Sevens, holding on for a 24-17 victory to qualify for the knockout stages.
Australia got off to the perfect start when James Turner burst away and scored inside 60 seconds.
Moses Leo hit straight back for the Kiwis before Dietrich Roache’s dart down the blindside put the Aussies back in front.
Maurice Longbottom put the world champions ahead 17-7 at the break, instantly picking up where they left off when Nathan Lawson snatched an intercept.
Two late tries to the Kiwis made the scoreline closer than it was as John Manenti's men advance to face Ireland.
Australia have pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat Ireland 26-19.
The world champions looked certain to be eliminated after the Irish capitalised on a Nick Malouf yellow card to take a 19-5 with three minutes to go.
However, a yellow card to Sean Cribbin gave the Aussies hope, finding James Turner in the corner to start the fightback.
Malouf then proceeded to rise high from the kickoff, racing away to level the scores.
With Ireland still down a man as the siren sounded, Henry Hutchison came up with the turnover, allowing Maurice Longbottom and Stu Dunbar to interchange to put the speedy vice-captain in under the posts to seal the win.
A Maurice Longbottom penalty in extra time has booked Australia’s place in the Hong Kong final as they defeat France 10-7.
Once again, the Australians found themselves on the back foot as France went on the attack early, with Henry Hutchison continuing to lead the Australian defence from the front to hold them out.
This allowed Josh Turner to burst clear of the defence to open the scoring, before Turner and Hutchison were yellow-carded for separate incidents.
Whilst they held them out before the break, Aaron Grandidier couldn’t be stopped with the Aussies down to five, continuing his incredible tournament.
Both sides spent the remainder of normal time trading attacking opportunities but couldn’t find a way through as the action went to golden point.
James Turner spark the Aussies with a great break, pulled back in the process of chasing a kick as Joseph was sent to the bin, allowing Longbottom to be the hero.
They will face Fiji after they overcame Samoa, with the Australians looking for their first Hong Kong title in the modern era.
Australia have claimed the Hong Kong title with a 20-17 win over Fiji
The World Cup champions started strong as Fiji opened the scoring in the first minute via Josua Vakurunabili as they look to extend a 36-game winning streak in Hong Kong.
Their dominance continued as Olympic gold medalist Waisea Nacuqu burst away from the Australians to extend the lead.
Maurice Longbottom provided the spark the Australians desperately needed, firing a long ball to Henry Hutchison to reduce the margin to 12-5 at the break.
Hutchison continued his red hot form, putting Tim Clements over before Nacuqu added his second to push the margin out to a converted try.
A yellow card to Joseva Talacolo gave Australia the opening they needed, with Longbottom once again finding Hutchison, this time via the boot, setting up a grandstand finish.
With Fiji in possession as time ran out, Longbottom forced the mistake, allowing Stu Dunbar to find Nathan Lawson in the corner for the game-winner.
1. Henry Hutchison
2. Stuart Dunbar
4. Dietrich Roache
5. Tim Clements
6. Henry Paterson
7. Josh Turner
10. Nick Malouf (c)
11. Maurice Longbottom
12. Nathan Lawson
14. James Turner
15. Ben Marr
23. Darby Lancaster
24. Kye Oates*
* Denotes new player
*All times AEDT
Friday November 4
Australia 43 def Hong Kong 0, 10:03 pm
Saturday November 5
Australia 17 def by Samoa 22, 5:00 pm
Australia 24 def New Zealand 17, 9:03 pm
Sunday November 6
Australia 26 def Ireland 19, 3:15 pm - QUARTER FINALS
Australia 10 def France 7, 7:10 pm - SEMI FINALS
Australia 20 def Fiji 17, 10:00 pm - GOLD MEDAL MATCH
