The Australian Women’s Sevens team will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself in Atlanta on Sunday, after drawing the USA in the Cup quarter-final.
Australia lost to the host nation at the same stage of the American tournament last season and will be looking to right the ledger when they play in the wee hours of Sunday morning (AEST).
It was a mixed day in the pool stages, as Australia lost its first match of the season in its opening pool clash, going down to England 21-7
Emma Tonegato crossed five times against Colombia as the women bounced back in their second match with a 34-0 win over the South Americans.
Debutant Dominique du Toit also clinched her debut World Series try in that clash, as the women looked to finish on a high.
A final 22-5 win over Fiji sealed their inclusion in the Cup quarter-final against the hosts.
Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said he was happy the side improved through the day.
"We improved as the day went on. I have to say England played extremely well against us and clearly stepped up a level,” he said.
“They were the better team in that game.”
"I would have liked to have put some more points on the board against Colombia but we made a few basic errors that prevented us from doing so.
“We played well ourselves against Fiji and came away with what we deserved from that."
Walsh said they would be wary of the Americans in their knock out clash.
"They [USA] are a team on the rise. They truly believed they could beat New Zealand, they are on a high and are pumped to play in front of their home crowd.
"It'll be an incredibly tough game but for us it's a chance for redemption after last year."
Promising youngster Evania Pelite will miss a month of Sevens after injuring her elbow in Atlanta, adding to the roller coaster opening day.
The Australian Women’s Sevens will face the USA Sevens on Sunday morning at 3:14am, live streamed on worldrugby.org
