Australia has made its medal intentions clear with a 22-14 win over Argentina to top their Olympic pool in Paris.
Argentina came in as the favourites after taking out the SVNS League Winners title in 2023-24, with both sides' quarter-finals fates sealed after undefeated starts to the Rugby Sevens event.
This included a Final win over Australia in Perth and looked set to replicate this when German Schulz finished off a nice counter-attack for the opening try.
However, a kick through from Ben Dowling turned the game as Nathan Lawson won the race to the ball, but was taken out right before the line by Luciano Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was yellow carded for his action as the Aussies pleaded for a penalty try.
Australia didn’t waste the man advantage as tries to Henry Hutchison and Dowling gave them a 10-7 lead at the break.
Dietrich Roache continued the onslaught after the break with a powerful move from the scrum to ride the tackle and plant the ball down.
Argentina refused to go away and Matías Osadczuk’s third try of the Games reduced the margin to one.
However, the impact off the bench proved the difference as Super Rugby stars Corey Toole and Mark Nawaqanitawase starred.
Toole made several half breaks to keep Argentina on their toes whilst Nawaqanitawase’s size gave them a taste of their own medicine.
The Wallaby sealed the win when a looping pass found captain Nick Malouf in the corner for a five-pointer.
It means Australia top their pool for the first time in Olympic history as they await their quarter-final opponent, set to play the top-ranked third-place finisher
