Tokyo Olympics 2021: Australia's women's sevens team stunned by Fiji in quarter-finals

Australia's rugby sevens gold medal defence is over after the women were stunned 14-12 by Fiji in the quarter-finals tonight.

The Aussies were warm favourites leading into the match but Fiji followed in the footsteps of their male counterparts who won Olympic gold on Wednesday night.

In stormy conditions at Tokyo Stadium, Australia were rattled right from the kick-off and trailed 14-5 at halftime – despite Fiji losing a player for a yellow card.

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Star Charlotte Caslick scored a runaway try with 45 seconds to play but Fiji were able to run out the clock and leave the golden girls shattered.

"It was probably one of the hardest games of sevens I've ever played," Caslick said.

"Credit to the Fijian girls for coming out there as strong as they did.

"They were really, really awesome. I guess we shifted that momentum but we didn't have enough time."

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Fiji will play New Zealand in tomorrow's semi-finals.

Alowesi Nakoci and Ana Maria Naimasi scored tries for Fiji, skinning Caslick and Madison Ashby respectively.

Fiji were reduced to six players after a yellow card to Vasiti Solikoviti and Faith Nathan capitalised to score Australia's first points.

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But the Aussies continued to make basic mistakes and their miserable night was summed up by Maddison Levi dropping a simple pass late in the second half.

While undoubtedly an upset, Australia had been wobbly in Tokyo, losing 14-12 to the United States in group play.

In what proved to be an ominous storm warning, the quarter-final was delayed for half an hour after lightning near the stadium.

"It's all about the nation," Fiji captain Rusila Nagasau said.

"The nation sent us here to come and do a job, not just for us and our families, but for the country. It is a big thing for us to be the first women in Fiji to win a gold medal — that is our aim right now. To make history."

Australia coach John Manenti was understandably gutted.

"It's really disappointing for the girls, they've worked so hard for a long time, and this isn't a return on the investment which they have put in," Manenti said.

"I'm devastated for them. It's a game of inches, and a few of those little opportunities didn't go our way, or we missed opportunities when we needed to take them.

"We played with great spirit, we have defended for long periods and did well, but ultimately a few misses in defence was the difference between a win and loss.

"I'm incredibly proud of how hard the girls fought. They played with a lot of courage, we have a young group, and I know a lot of them will be better for this in the long run. 

"There's two games tomorrow which we will have a lot to improve on, as well as finish in a way which we are proud of."

In the other quarter-finals, New Zealand outclassed the Russian Olympic Committee 36-0, Great Britain downed the United States 21-12 and France beat China 24-12.