Australia have claimed back-to-back women's World Rugby Sevens silver medals after going down 31-7 to New Zealand in the Singapore final.
Having thrashed Canada 45-7 earlier on Sunday in the semis, the Aussies were hoping to better their second-placed efforts from last week in Hong Kong, where they were also squeezed out for gold by the Kiwis.
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But in a repeat of the 2024 Singapore final, which New Zealand won 31-21, Tim Walsh's side trailed 12-0 at halftime in this year's decider thanks to tries from Michaela Brake and Risi Pouri-Lane.
Despite Maddison Levi scoring her 203rd sevens try, further five-pointers by Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Kelsey Teneti and Brake sealed a fourth triumph in six legs for the already-crowned series champions.
Australia finished on 106 points, 10 behind New Zealand.
"We were totally outplayed in the final. We didn’t do ourselves any favours with some cheap errors and failing to apply any real pressure," coach Tim Walsh said.
"In finals it is a game of detail and execution and we didn’t deliver. The back-to-back legs have been a real positive and proven the strength of the program and its pathway.
"We had Tia Hinds lead the team in an authentic and composed manner whilst maintaining the team’s high standards. We are all looking forward to the final in Los Angeles."
In the men's Cup decider, Fiji overcame Kenya 21-12 after having beaten league winners Argentina (104 points) in their last-four clash, 33-24.
The result saw Fiji (96) claim a fourth tournament success in Singapore and pip Spain (88) for second place overall.
Australia's men's side finished their campaign sixth in the standings, after defeating France 28-5 before going down 26-7 to South Africa's Blitzboks for a 10th-placed finish.
"After playing well and achieving a third in Hong Kong it was extremely disappointing not to be able to repeat similar," coach Liam Barry added.
"We were well below our high standards. We must learn very quickly as we have the season ending tournament to play in Los Angeles in four weeks’ time."
The Los Angeles draw features Australia's women in a pool with France, the hosts and Olympic bronze medallists USA and Fiji, with the top two going through to the semis.
The men have a fiendish draw against Singapore victors Fiji, Spain and New Zealand
