RUGBY SEVENS: Australia have finished second at the Gold Coast Sevens after losing 40-19 to New Zealand in the Cup final at Skilled Park on Sunday night.

The Australians had plenty of support from the crowd but the New Zealanders proved too strong for the home side.

Australian coach Michael O’Connor was satisfied with finishing a final in the team’s home tournament.

“This is the best start to the year since I have been coaching," he said.

“We’re obviously disappointed to lose it, but it was a courageous effort. I couldn’t fault the boys’ commitment, and at the end of the day we were beaten by a better team.”

For Australian captain Ed Jenkins, named Player of the Tournament, the result was bitter sweet.

“The double extra time against South Africa really took it out of us, plus a few players ruled out due to injury, which doesn’t help. When it comes down to a final, you really need a full bench.

“In saying that, New Zealand came out firing. They played well and deserved it at the end of the day.

“It was the best start we’ve had to a season in a long time, so it gives us a lot of confidence. We’ll go back, regroup and build up for Dubai in November,” said Jenkins.

Australia finished the tournament with four wins, one draw and a loss.

Day one saw the Australians draw against Scotland 21-21, before beating Argentina 22-7 and Samoa 12-0 to top their pool.

They started day two with a 24-12 win over Kenya in the Cup quarter-final, then defeated South Africa 24-19 in double extra time to advance to the final.

Australia now sit second on the Sevens World Series after one round, on 19 points while New Zealand pick up exactly where they left off last year on top with 22 points.

The teams now move on to Dubai for the second leg of the World Series from 29-30 November.

Australian Rugby Union