RUGBY SEVENS: The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team finished sixth in Dubai after losing a thrilling extra-time Plate final against South Africa.

Interim coach Scott Bowen said the tournament was a crucial experience for the development of the side.

"We come away from this weekend with three debutants getting much-needed experience that will stand them in good stead and players like Sam Myers who haven't had much game time enjoying crucial minutes,” he said.

“We're not where we want to be, that's for sure, but the World Series is tough and brutal.

“Even though we need to be better in some areas, I thought we were tough and physical and stood up to be counted."

In a replay of the 2014 Cup final, it took longer than regulation to separate the two teams, who will leb among the top echelon in the 2015-16 series.

Australia had a big half-time lead against the Blitzbokke, before the South Africans hit back in the second to bring scores level.

Springbok Francois Hougaard ended the Aussies’ hopes of the Plate win with some deft footwork handing him the winning try just 45 seconds into extra time.

Earlier in the day, a one-try loss to defending Series champions Fiji had knocked the Aussies out of the Cup competition, setting up a Plate semi-final against Samoa.

Australia won that semi-final 28-10, with debutant Henry Speight scoring his first Sevens try in the shortened format.

Bowen said there was room for improvement after the first of 10 World Series rounds.

“Even though the end result was disappointing it was probably fair,” he said.

“I thought the game against Fiji was a lost opportunity.

“We had a plan on how we wanted to play the game which worked well but we couldn't execute at crucial times. Being the side they are, Fiji capitalised on that.

"Against Samoa, I thought we put in a good display. Henry Speight showed what an asset he'll be to the Sevens program moving forward and against South Africa, again we had our chances.”

The Aussie men head to Cape Town this week for the second round of the World Series Sevens.

Australian Rugby Union