Australia have set up a trans-Tasman decider at the Vancouver men’s sevens tournament after seeing off giant-killers Canada 19-14 in a tense semi-final.
The tournament hosts came painfully close to booking a berth in the world series event final on Monday (AEDT), but were deprived by a tighth TMO ruling after the final hooter.
A declined try for a non-grounding sent the Australians into a final for the first time this season.
An upset of world series leaders New Zealand will hand them a first tournament title since their triumph in Sydney more than two years ago.
Tim Walsh’s team faced their sternest test against the 10th-ranked Canadians, who stunned Fiji on the opening day and had raucous support from a large crowd at BC Place.
Harry Jones put the hosts in front but Australia drew level 7-7 at half-time through a try to Lachie Anderson, arguably their best performer this weekend.
Quickfire tries to Henry Hutchison and Lachie Miller, both set up by smart kicks, pushed them clear before Canada crossed and set up a dramatic finish.
Earlier, Australia brushed aside England 31-12 in the quarter-finals, built on Anderson’s first-half double.
Lewis Holland, Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner also scored to continue the team’s try-scoring form from pool play.
New Zealand will start the final as favourites against the sixth-ranked Australians, having outclassed South Africa 27-15 in the other semi-final.