Host nation Australia qualified for the quarter-finals of Rugby’s Sevens World Series opener on the Gold Coast on Friday night along with New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, South Africa, Wales, England and France.
The Australians fell to South Africa in their last pool match Skilled Park, going down 21-7 after the teams were locked 7-7 at the break.
However, two earlier victories had already assured Australia a berth in the final eight of the Cup competition to be played Saturday between the top two placegetters from each of the four pools.
Australia opened their Pool B campaign with a comfortable 33-0 victory over Japan, running in five tries, including a double for newcomer Pama Fou.
In their following match against the United States, the Australians fell behind to an early try but recovered to post an impressive 22-7 win.
“We had a few nerves out there but it was a good one to get out of way,” said vice-captain and playmaker Jacob Taylor after the Japan game.
“We have a few young guys and they’re not taking a backward step. It was very encouraging the way they went straight into it.”
Their loss to South Africa sent the home side into a tough quarter-final showdown with in-form Samoa.
New Zealand confirmed their favouritism for the inaugural Gold Coast Sevens title with impressive Pool A disposals of Kenya (26-5), minnows Niue (38-0) and Fiji (28-5).
The Samoans cruised into the eight with wins over France (24-14), Papua New Guinea (38-0) and Argentina (29-0).
The other undefeated pool winners were South Africa and Wales, who downed Tonga 24-7, Scotland 14-12 with a converted try in the dying stages and England 21-7 in an upset.
New Zealand will play England, Wales take on Fiji and South Africa play France.
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