England also beat Wales and Kenya.
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Russian Federation will meet Canada in the Shield final.
England, South Africa and Fiji all went unbeaten on day one of the new HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series that kicked off in Dubai but New Zealand suffered a shock defeat by the United States.
Indeed, that was certainly the case for Argentina and Fiji in Pool A and Australia and England in Pool D, meaning their subsequent head-to-head clashes would ultimately decide the group-phase winners and runners-up. The Japanese stormed 17-14 ahead with moments left, only to see Fiji’s Savenaca Rawaca score the late 21-17 converted victor.
Cameron Clark, Pama Fou and Lewis Holland gave Australia a 17-point lead at the break before the floodgates opened in the second half.
South Africa equalised nearly immediately with Justin Geduld pouncing on a stray pass to go under the posts.
Elsewhere, the defending Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens champions South Africa enjoyed a 100 per cent record in Pool B to secure their safe passage through ahead of runners-up Samoa.
“There was a golden five minute period out there (in the final against England) and that was it”, he said.
Indeed, by half-time NZ were showing some of their old form and led 12-5, but Charlotte Caslick scored for Australia in the second half to get them to 10-12; then Ellia Green scored a signature try in the corner for the Aussies to win 15-12.
Dan Norton came close to scoring the first try with a lovely chip and chase with the Los Pumas defending stubbornly. It need a try after the final hooter to Dylan Collier to keep New Zealand’s hopes alive.
“However, I was proud of our last performance against New Zealand…”
Both will undergo further assessment next week when back in Sydney.
Things looked promising for New Zealand when Sherwin Stowers bustled over to score the first try of the match but the Americans proved to be too quick for the exhausted Kiwis side.
AMERICA has produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby sevens to beat New Zealand in the group stages of the Dubai Sevens.
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Australia beat France comfortably 26-0 in their semi showing excellent speed off the mark and backing up, whereas their opponents had probably invested too much effort in their QF win against Fiji.
