HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series defending champions Fiji proved their class as they overpowered England to win the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
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Australia won that semi-final 28-10, with debutant Henry Speight scoring his first Sevens try in the shortened format.
But he still believes they “stood up to be counted” on the way to finishing sixth on Saturday local time.
The United States, who earlier beat a strong South Africa in the quarter-finals, had too much for New Zealand in the play-off game.
“Werner injured his knee in the quarterfinal and Cecil felt a hamstring strain on day one, so we didn’t wanted to risk him and that’s why he played no further part in the tournament”, explains Powell.
“We’re not where we want to be, that’s for sure, but the World Series is tough and brutal”.
Australia started the Plate final the stronger side and led 14-0 at halftime thanks to tries through Sam Meyers and Ed Jenkins.
But Blitzbokke utility Kwagga Smith halved the deficit three minutes into the second half and then brought South Africa level after the full-time siren.
Fiji scored all of their points in the first half after falling behind to an early Tom Bowen try.
Ben Ryan tasted victory in Dubai for a fourth time in six years as he saw his side in scintilating form all day, beating New Zealand 19-5 with tries from Viliame Mata, Pio Tuwai and Jasa Veremalua in the semi-finals, and Australia 19-12 in their quarter-final with tries from Isake Kotanibau, captain Osea Kolinisau and Savenaca Rawaca.
England, the 2010 and 2013 champions, rallied with late second half tries through Phil Burgess and a second score for Bowen.
It is unclear if any are in doubt for the second round of he world series in Cape Town next week.
The US went into the break with a 19-7 lead.
In the third-place play-off, the improving United States defeated New Zealand for the second time in two days, 31-12 to follow their 14-12 win in the pool stages.
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