Aussies finish fifth in Dubai

Sat, Dec 2, 2017, 4:41 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
James Stannard and the Aussie Sevens have finished fifth in Dubai. Photo: Getty Images
James Stannard and the Aussie Sevens have finished fifth in Dubai. Photo: Getty Images

The final day of Dubai Sevens action is done and dusted, with Australia claiming fifth place.

A heart wrenching final play loss to England in the Cup quarter final relegated the Australians to the fight for fifth, where they beat Kenya and Samoa.

South Africa were the eventual winners, beating New Zealand 24-12 in the Cup final.

Here's how all the action panned out

2:05am - Men's fifth place playoff - Australia 22 Samoa 17

Samoa flew out of the gates, crossing twice in the opening minutes to lead 12-0.

Australia kept their composure, though, eventually crossing through James Stannard and then Simon Kennewell just before the break, tying things up at 12-all.


Lachie Anderson was denied a try early in the match but he got one early in the second term, Samoa duly returning serve minutes later.

James Stannard then set Anderson up with some brilliant initiative with the score tied, sealing the win for the Aussies.

The win secures fifth place for the Australians, after a heartbreaking loss to England in their Cup quarter final.

11:20pm - Men's fifth place playoff semi final - Australia 19 Kenya 12

Australia have secured a spot in the fifth place playoff with a win over Kenya at the death.

Tim Anstee crossed first for the Australians in what was otherwise a tough first half, the Kenyans crossing just before half time to leave the score at the break.

The second term was a different story, though, as Australia controlled the match and crossed through Lachie Anderson and Matthew Hood, the Kenyans crossing for a late consolation try.

7:30pm - Men's Cup QF - Australia 19 England 26

Australia have been beaten after the final siren for the second straight match, falling to England in their Cup quarter final.

Simon Kennewell drew first blood when he touched down in the first minute before England star Dan Norton cleaned up a wayward Lewi Holland pass to hit back.Boyd Killingworth was impressive against England. Photo: Getty Images Boyd Killingworth put the Aussies back in front but as the half time siren sounded Dan Norton chipped and chased from within his own half to score a brilliant individual try and level things up at the break.

England then got their first lead of the match before Maurice Longbottom crossed with two minutes to play, setting up a grandstand finish.

But the English kept their composure to score under the posts with the last play of the match, relegating Australia to a 5th place playoff semi final.

They'll face Kenya at 10:57pm AEDT.

6:50pm - Welcome

The Aussies are about to take the field for their quarter final clash with England.

Here's how they fared yesterday.

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