Late USA try consigns Aussie 7s to fourth
Australia's rugby sevens women have missed a medal in Paris, Alex Sedrick brushing a tackle and racing 85 metres on the buzzer as the United States won their bronze medal clash 14-12.
It was a second shock loss in less than three hours for Tim Walsh's strong medal hopes, rocked 21-12 in a semi-final defeat to Canada when they had led 12-0.
It's a second straight Olympics without a medal for the Rio champions, who had won the world series less than two months ago and romped into the final four at Stade de France.
But it was a tearful Tuesday in stifling heat in Paris, the side left slumped after they appeared to have done enough to at least snatch bronze for their efforts.
Maddison Levi's second try, extending her Olympic record to 14 for the tournament, gave Australia a 12-7 lead inside the final minute.
They looked set to defend the lead before Sedrick brushed out of a tackle and sprinted away, before converting her try to spark wild scenes.
Earlier, Australia had butchered a try when Bella Nasser's pass to Sariah Paki went astray, their usually potent offence evaporating in the afternoon heat.
New Zealand will play Canada for gold, seeking to defend their Tokyo title.
