AUSTRALIA'S women's sevens rugby gold medal title defence is in tatters after they were sensationally knocked out by Fiji in the quarter finals in Tokyo on Friday.
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Skippered by Batlow's Sharni Williams, the Australians were given a tougher draw in the knockout stages than expected after they were upset 14-12 by USA in their last group game.
Fiji made a flying start with two tries in the first four minutes to take a 14-0 lead and Australia pressed hard in the second half, but their comeback fell just short in another 14-12 loss.
Meanwhile the Australian men's hockey team will enter the quarter final stage with their best possible chance to progress, despite Spain halting their winning streak on Friday.
After winning their first five matches the world's number one-ranked team, featuring Wagga's Dylan Martin, went in as strong favourites. But a last-gasp goal to the underdogs off a penalty corner from Pau Quemada in the final minute secured a 1-all draw.
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Australia took the lead three minutes into the second quarter after Tom Wickham slammed home a rebound, but the Kookaburras then failed to find the killer blow.
The Kookaburras still finished top of Pool A and will next play in the quarter finals on Sunday.
"Spain was very motivated today, they needed a result, they got a point from it so that keeps them in the competition," Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said.
"It's easy to be disappointed about that result, and straight after the game the guys were.
"The reality is we have been playing strongly for the five pool matches and we finished on top of the pool.
"We qualified easily for the quarter finals, it is important to acknowledge that, and now we need to review this game, get the learnings out of it and move on to Sunday."
Legendary Culcairn rider Andrew Hoy also began his eighth Olympic campaign with the dressage discipline on Friday, with the cross country to take place on Sunday and showjumping on Monday.
Hoy is looking to add to his impressive haul of three golds and one silver in Olympic competition.
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