Australia’s men have handled the heat expertly to begin their Sydney Sevens rugby campaign with a 33-7 defeat of Japan on Saturday.

Temperatures hovering around 40-degrees have tested teams at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium, where the “real feel” at ground level is almost 45 degrees.

Similarly torrid heat expected at Tokyo’s Olympics in July and Australia aren’t shying away from it as they look to notch their first world series tournament victory in two years.

“We’re probably one of the teams it’s most suited to,” tryscorer Lachie Anderson said.

“It’s our backyard, so no excuses there.

“To drop one game you can be out the back door, so to set ourselves going forward at a good pace (with a big defeat of Japan), the boys will be very happy.”

Anderson scored the game’s first try, finishing after a powerful surge from Jeral Skelton bent the Japanese line.

Skelton was then on the receiving end of an assist after Josh Turner picked up the loose ball and surveyed nicely to set him up the second.

Turner scored in the corner to start the second half before Maurice Longbottom expertly kicked ahead, the ball finishing under the black dot for Lachie Miller to dive on.

Converted sprinter Trae Williams had several second-half touches in his home debut but was unable to find open spaces.

The side next face Scotland on Saturday afternoon, before a tantalising match-up with the United States on Sunday.

The United States beat Scotland 32-14 to begin the men’s action on Saturday, while South Africa found some form in a 52-14 defeat of Argentina.

Only the top side from each pool will progress to Sunday’s semi-finals. Australia are fifth in the standings after claiming third at last weekend’s New Zealand leg.