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The Australian Rugby Sevens have been knocked out of the Kiama Sevens tournament in the Cup semi-finals after going down to 28-26 to West Harbour on Saturday.

Playing as the Aussie Spirit at the non-IRB event, the new-look squad made a clean sweep of their pool matches, knocking over North Sydney B 35-0, toppling Gordon 36-0 and beating 'Qantas' 47-5.

Tongan club side, the Crusaders proved a bigger hurdle in the Cup quarter-finals but the Australians dug deep and prevailed 12-5.

In what is their last-hit out before the International Sevens Adelaide, coach Michael O'Connor used the Kiama event to give his less experienced players a run.

Newcomer Ben Johnson made the most of his break and ran in four tries at his debut tournament, picking up two against Gordon and two against 'Qantas'.

The Australian Sevens achieved their best result in two years earlier this month in Las Vegas, when they finished fourth after going down narrowly to eventual champions - and current No.2 - Samoa in the Cup semi-finals.

Australia will now look to concentrate on the tournament on their home soil in Adelaide in 3 weeks time. Another good result in Round 5 would more than likely see the Australians jump above England into 4th position in the rankings which would be a record high.