The Australian women's sevens team are through to the finals courtesy of a pair of dominant victories on day one of the Kitakyushu Sevens.
The Aussies racked up a total 13 tries in wins over China and Spain in their first pool games, and in doing so ensured they'll be playing in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
A tight 17-14 loss to Canada in their last pool game spoiled the perfect record, however, and delivered up England as their quarter-final opponent.
Welcoming Charlotte Caslick back from injury, the Australians cruised to an easy win over China first up.
Emma Tonegato scored a hat-trick in the 47-0 win, with Alicia Quirk, Samantha Treherne, Charlotte Caslick and Lily Dick also crossing.
Brilliant hands! @Aussie7s duo combine to score brilliant 60 metre try at the #Kitakyushu7s pic.twitter.com/bI9hwL7fDJ
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 20, 2019
The second clash against Spain also proved to be little problem for John Manenti's side, with Caslick grabbed two of the six tries in a 36-5 win.
Ellia Green, Evania Pelite, Quirk and Dick all scored tries as well.
Next level footwork and an incredible finish.
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 20, 2019
👏 Lily Dick | @Aussie7s#Kitakyushu7s pic.twitter.com/Si2spgE2jj
The third clash saw Canada seize on some rare Australian mistakes, however. The physical Canadians scored the first two tries courtesy of defensive errors but Emma Sykes scored twice to put the Aussies back in the lead.
Canada scored last, however, when Dick gathered up a grubber near her own and was called - somewhat dubiously - to release it by the referee, despite being on the ground and therefore unable to be tackled.
Canada stole the ball from on her long place and scored, and more errors down the stretch meant Australia couldn't snatch a win.
Australia will be aiming to push deep into the finals on day two.
Aussies are presently fourth on the HSBC Sevens World Series ladder on 46 points, in a tight tussle with Canada (46 points) to rein in the USA (48 points) and New Zealand (60 points).
New Zealand's year-long, 37-game winning streak came to an end in their second pool game when Russia held them to a 17-all draw,
Australia will meet China, Spain and Canada in Pool B as the women in gold look to progress to the top eight finals and chase valuable World Series points.
The top four sides at the end of the Series will qualify automatically for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The day one action in the Kitakyushu Sevens can be watched on World Rugby's YouTube or Twitter channels.
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Fixtures
Day One
Australia v China, 12.36pm AEST
Australia v Spain, 3.20pm AEST
Australia v Canada, 6.04pm AEST
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
1. Samantha Treherne, 14 caps, Griffith University
2. Sharni Williams, 31 caps, University of Canberra
3. Sariah Paki, 2 caps, Macquarie University
4. Yasmin Meakes, 6 caps, University of Canberra
5. Emma Tonegato, 25 caps, University of Adelaide
6. Evania Pelite, 24 caps, University of Adelaide
7. Charlotte Caslick (c), 28 caps, Bond University,
8. Lily Dick, 2 caps, University of Queensland
9. Emma Sykes, 14 caps, University of Tasmania
10. Alicia Quirk, 29 caps, University of New England
11. Mahalia Murphy, 8 caps, University of Adelaide
12. Ellia Green, 25 caps
13th Lauren Brown
