World champions Fiji have won the season-opening Dubai Sevens with a 28-17 victory over England after earlier beating Australia by seven points in the quarter-finals.
Australia’s interim coach Scott Bowen admits his side aren’t where they should be eight months out from the Rio Olympics.
But he still believes they “stood up to be counted” on the way to finishing sixth on Saturday local time.
The Aussies went down to Fiji 19-12 in the quarter-final in a game Bowen lamented was “a lost opportunity”.
“We had a plan on how we wanted to play which worked well but we couldn’t execute at crucial times,” the coach said.
“Being the side they are Fiji capitalised on that.
“We’re not where we want to be, that’s for sure, but the world series is tough and brutal.
“Even though we need to be better in some areas, I thought we were tough and physical today and stood up to be counted.”
In the subsequent plate competition to determine fifth to eighth place, Australia beat Samoa 28-10 in the semi-final but then lost the final to South Africa in sudden death extra-time.
Australia held a deserved 14-point lead at half-time in the final thanks to tries from Sam Myers and then Ed Jenkins.
But Blitzbokke utility Kwagga Smith halved the deficit three minutes into the second half and then brought South Africa level after the full-time siren.
In sudden death extra-time 35-cap Springbok Francois Hougaard displayed some neat footwork in the first 45 seconds to break Australian hearts and secure a 19-14 win.
In the main cup grand final, Fiji scored all of their points in the first half after falling behind to an early Tom Bowen try for England.
Savenaca Rawaca, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai and Isake Katonibau grabbed Fiji’s four tries for a 28-7 lead at the break.
England rallied with late second half tries through Phil Burgess and a second score for Bowen.
An in-form United States outfit beat an injury-ravaged New Zealand 31-12 for a second time this weekend to claim third overall.
The series moves on to Cape Town next week with Fiji remaining the team to beat ahead of the sport’s debut at the Olympics in Rio.
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Bazza
Guest
If the ARU were fair dinkum you`d draft in STIRZACKER, BEALE, HIGGERS, McMAHON, SAMU KEREVI, HOOPER, JUNIOR LALOIFI for starters...
Mel R
Roar Rookie
Cuw do the names Durutalo and Vakatawa ring any bells? anyway the main point is its time to inject some Fijian flair into the aussie team, Speight may not be enough for that matter...anyway that's my opinion ;)
cuw
Guest
who are the fijian playmakers in TEAM USA plz? and France if u may ?
Mel R
Roar Rookie
Good comment Rugger but a notable omission is the addition of aussie Fijian players of Fijian extraction.NZ is suffering now because they always had Fijian playmakers! Players like Speight who learnt there ball skills in Fiji would be the best, the local tru blu aussie Fijians would not be able to display the same skills.One only has to look at the number of Fijian players on other teams to see the extra attack etc.. they bring to the team, USA, France to name a few....
Rugger
Guest
Australia lacks playmaker and speed stars. James Stannard is journeyman at best and needs to make way for Henry Hutchinson. Where are the Elia Green's of the world in mens 7s? Oh, ARU in their infinite wisdom have not appointed a full time coach so how can we have long term vision to build a side. This side was built 3-4 years ago by Mick O'Connor and game has changed since with speed, off-loading way to go. Examples of this include USA who are actively looking for athletes that fit profile of Big and fast with x-factor and they are bring them into squad to continually develop the side. What has Australia got - Tom Kingston a player de-listed by 2 Super Rugby teams. Current team is 6 or 7 best team and is playing to maximum capacity. Watch out if other team improve we will be left behind.
cookie
Roar Guru
Little or no coverage in the australian media as usual... thanks ARU Go FIJI!
ROTUMA ISLAND
Guest
Pio Tuwai.
cuw
Guest
they play for 7 minutes each half (and final 10 minutes) , not just a couple :) the penalties are given to speed up the game. u cant hold onto the ball like in XV or delay release, u cannot hold onto the players u cannot drift offside..... that is why Craig Joubert was not so good at reffing the 7s , he was still in xv mode and slow to blow :) most of the 7s refs are spot on in their decisions. it is made easier for them with visibility - as there are only 14 on the park and not more than 2 or 3 at a tackle each and every time. 7s is about the skills - u cannot put a lot of strategies on an open park for a little time. teams with higher skill levels always do perform well.
RubberLegs
Guest
One of the main goals of the ARU is keep QC off the pitch. Losing is a more palatable option in the halls of power. James O'Connor and Lachy T are also viable starters.
cuw
Guest
Isake Katonibau (i think :) )
Brisbans Boys
Guest
Really Baz is that the best you have got Haters got to Hate
Kevin
Guest
I thought Australia played quite well in some of their games but lost concentration at some critical times and you can't afford to make any mistakes. The top sides are pretty impressive and the Fijians and the Kiwis are extremely physical. The USA are also impressive and play with good structure and then add in some blinding speedsters. Australia just needs an X factor and Quade could be it. He will either put players through a lot of gaps or possibly give away a few intercepts. People may think defence may be an issue but I believe he has improved massively in this area and other teams carry some weaker defenders so that that they can include an X factor (Take the USA with their sprinters that can't tackle too well)
Bazza
Guest
Gits?? he is soft in contact and as brittle as glass...
Bazza
Guest
As i said earlier.. OZ has a rubbish team and will not be taken seriously ...
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I've only seen a few highlights but some of the Fiji players looked just amazing. Who was the guy who played at 5 for Fiji? He looked awesome from what I saw.
RubberLegs
Guest
Australia needs a playmaker (and a coach). Fit and physical is not enough. The Super rugby players de Jong and Hougaard for SA were impressive. Drew Mitchell, Gitts and Quade would be a good start but the ARU cannot afford to pay them.
In brief
Guest
I watched a bit of 7s yesterday, and left feeling the same frustration I do when watching rugby league. The referees are way to quick to blow penalties, it's a bit like hockey or netball in that respect. This means the matches are often decided by the referees' decision, which is crucial given they're only on the field for a couple of minutes.
Darth Vadar
Guest
Go Fiji
cuw
Guest
Fiji continuing their last season form from the first event this year. coach said they only want the Rio gold, but bet they wont mind winning the series again :) NZ only had 6 fit players in the end. would be interesting to see who will go to cape town. sonny bill was the man in demand . said he was on holiday and came to support his sister. targeting the NZ event to get into the team. so many legends , Karl Tenana, Josh Kronfeld, JOsh Lewsey, Rico gear, Waisale Serevi, even the great Michael Johnson :)