Australia's new-look side has beaten rugby sevens World Cup champions Wales to advance to the quarter-finals of the London Sevens at Twickenham.

A 31-21 victory ensured the Australians a place in the final eight and a showdown on Sunday against host nation England for a place in the semi-finals.

Sevens World Series leaders South Africa edged out Australia 17-14 in their final match of Pool A - dubbed the "pool of death" with the World Cup winners and World Series leaders alongside Australia in the same four-team group.

But the victory over Wales, together with a first-up thrashing of Germany, ensured Australia second placing in the pool.

"I'm very happy with the boys," coach Michael O'Connor said.

"We've got six new players in this squad and we've still got room to improve.

"Against South Africa our set piece, especially our scrum, got killed.

"But we were still there right at the end and gave it a real go."

O'Connor said his young side handled the big occasion well, given their excitement and nervousness about playing at Twickenham.

"You can't underestimate the effect it had on the guys leading into the first day," he said.

"Only two of our players had been here before. At the tour of the stadium the other day, these guys were boggle-eyed.

"This is hallowed turf and they had only ever seen it on TV before."

Australia won their opening match against Germany 50-0, with Willie Bishop scoring three of their eight tries.

In the crucial match against Wales, the Australians trailed at half-time but laid on three unanswered tries soon after the break to grab a lead they would not surrender, with Shaun Foley scoring twice.

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