The Australian men’s sevens team have maintained an unbeaten run on the first day of the Dubai 7s defeating Japan, France and Kenya to top Pool D.
The series of wins takes the team into the quarter-finals where they will play Wales on Saturday with coach Andy Friend pleased with their start to the tournament.
“I’m stoked with the performance, I thought the boys were outstanding today,” Friend said.
“I knew if we played good footy then we could win three from three, but to be able to do that is really pleasing.
“I thought the character that the boys showed and the manner that they did it, was a testament to this young group and great way to complete day one.
The Aussies first squeezed past Japan with a 19-14 victory in a tight game before blitzing France 28-0.
The French were hapless as Mick Adams bagged a double in the game.
The Australians then had a scare in their final pool game against Kenya.
The Kenyans led with three minutes left after Billy Odhiambo gave his side a 12-10 lead, with a try that saw the ball go through several sets of hands but with the game in extra time Charlie Taylor found space out wide to score and give Australia a 17-12 win.
While it was a great day for the men, the women fell at the final hurdle, losing the final 17-5 to New Zealand.
Portia Woodman got things going for the Black Ferns burning the cover defence on the outside to give New Zealand a 5-0 lead from which they never looked back.
They extended their lead to 12-0 just before the break and as Australia made errors managed to run out the game 17-5 winners.
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