Australia defeated New Zealand 26-19 in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series final in Dubai on Saturday.
It was close until the second half when Australia pulled away with tries from Maddison Levi and Demi Hayes to lead 26-12.
It was his third consecutive Dubai title.
“As our coaches say,” Madison Ashby said, “we’re the queens of the desert.”
The Canadian women defeated Japan 15-10 in the ninth-place playoff after opening their tournament with a 12-7 loss to the United States and a 33-0 loss to Australia.
Canada closed out group play with a 26-10 win over China.
LOOK | HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series Dubai – Canada vs USA:
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Watch Canada take on the United States in the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai.
On the men’s side, South Africa won the tournament for the fourth consecutive time after beating Ireland 21-5 in the final later on Saturday.
The South Africans dominated possession in the first half and scored three converted tries to lead 21-0 at the break. Their defense then took over and Ireland could only score once.
Their first World Rugby Sevens series win put them level with Australia, winners of the first leg in Hong Kong a month ago.
Tough start to Saturday for the Canadian men
Canada outscored Brazil, winning 36-5 in the ninth-place semifinal.
The Canadian men’s team defeated Uganda 28-0 in the 13th-place semifinal before losing the final 38-7 to Spain.
Canada began the day with a 17-7 loss to Kenya in a ninth-place quarterfinal game.
The Canadians also fell short against the USA, suffering a 19-14 loss to start their tournament. The Canadians then suffered a 33-5 loss to Samoa before rallying for a 28-14 win in Japan.
LOOK | HSBC Dubai Men’s Rugby Sevens World Series — Canada vs USA:
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Watch Canada take on the USA in the HSBC Men’s Rugby Sevens World Series in Dubai.
Both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams finished pool play with a 1-2 record.
Shilton van Wyk scored the first try after 20 seconds for the South Africans, with a dummy in his own half and a break at the posts. Van Wyk also got the second try with a scissor move and deflected three defenders.
Siviwe Soyizwapi grabbed the third try in first-half stoppage time after an interception as Ireland were pushing to get back into the final. Ricardo James Duarttee converted all three.
Ireland’s only points came midway through the second half, after Jack Kelly converted a quick-fire penalty.
“We made a couple of tackles here and there. However, we’re very happy with the defense we put up,” Soyizwapi said. “It’s part of the plan and I can say it worked.”
The series moves to Cape Town next weekend.