Australia their own worst enemy

 

Australia lost thier Cup quarterfinal to the USA 7-14 before succumbing to South Africa 12-21 in the Plate semifinal at a wet Scotstoun Stadium.

 

Now 16 points behind England in the standings with one round of the 2014/15 Sevens World Series remaining, it is now virtually impossible for Australia to secure a top four berth that ensures automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics.

 

If Australia do finish the season in its current position of fifth, the green and gold will play in the regional Oceania Rugby tournament in Auckland on November 14 2015, with the winning nation securing qualification for Rio.

 

Australian Sevens head coach Geraint John expressed his disappointment after failing to beat the USA and South Africa and believed it was testament to them making too many errors.

 

"Going into the game against the USA we were very confident and played well in patches. However, we shot ourselves in the foot against the Americans by turning the ball over too many times," John said after the quarterfinal loss.

 

"Credit to the opposition, they stuck in there and made their tackles but we didn't take our opportunities when presented to us.

 

"In the game against a quality South African side, once again they capitalised on poor errors from us. 

 

"Throughout the weekend I think we've shown glimpses of what we are capable of, but we have been too erratic."

 

South Africa ended Australia's campaign in Scotland after coming from behind to win the Plate semifinal. 

 

Cameron Clark handed Australia the lead only for Ruhan Nel to level it up almost immediately. Two more tries from Nel completed his hat-trick to put the Blitzboks out of sight. 

 

A fine, late individual try from Allan Fa'alava'au reduced the arrears but it wasn't enough as Australia left Glasgow with 10 World Series points.

 

Elsewhere, Fiji moved to the top of the World Series standings after beating New Zealand in a nail-biting Cup Final while England defeated the USA to finish third. South Africa saw off Scotland in the Plate Final to finish fifth.

 

The World Series heads to Twickenham next weekend as the season draws to a close. Australia has been drawn in Pool B alongside New Zealand, Wales and Japan.