SYDNEY - Drawn in a tough pool, Canada had a day to forget at the Sydney Sevens rugby tournament Saturday.

The Canadian men lost 27-12 to New Zealand, 26-12 to Australia and 26-17 to Portugal.

It marks the fourth straight tournament that Canada has failed to make the elite Cup quarter-finals. Instead it is headed for a game against Wales in the consolation Bowl competition.

Canada entered the tournament 12th in the overall sevens standings. New Zealand was third, Australia seventh and Portugal 16th.

New Zealand needed a converted try in stoppage time to tie Australia 17-17 but still topped the group. Fiji, South Africa and England went unbeaten in winning their pools at the inaugural Sydney tournament, the fourth of 10 legs on the world circuit.

South Africa plays Argentina, New Zealand takes on the United States, Fiji faces Kenya and Australia meets England in Sunday's quarter-finals.

Canada, which has only beaten the All Blacks twice in 32 tries, took an early lead against at New Zealand thanks to Adam Zaruba who scored despite injuring his shoulder on the play.

A Mike Fuailefau try gave Canada a 12-5 lead but New Zealand scored three tries in the second half to pull ahead.

Nathan Hirayama and captain John Moonlight scored tries in a losing cause against Australia.

Canada led Portugal 12-5 at halftime on tries by Fuailefau and Sean White. But Portugal scored three straight tries in the second half for a 26-12 lead. Phil Mack scored a late Canadian try.

New Zealand, world champions in 12 of 16 years the World Series has existed, beat South Africa twice last week in Wellington — in pool play and the final — with late tries and showed again Saturday its ability to play to the final whistle against Australia.

"We did it in Wellington on the first night and just believed if we could get hold of the ball we could stick some pressure on them," New Zealand captain Tim Mikkelson said. "We are through, but come (Sunday) it means nothing."

Australia try-scorer Holland was philosophical about his team giving up the lead so close to the end.

"We knew it would be a massive challenge and it was," he said. "It came right down to the wire and I guess that is what we have to work on, closing those games out in the dying seconds."

England captain Tom Mitchell scored his team's only second-half try as it edged the United States 17-14 to top Pool D. The U.S. had started pool play strongly with a 42-0 win over Wales.

"We lost two boys in our first two games and that showed a lot of character," Mitchell said. "The U.S.A. are a good side and take some beating so pretty pleased with that."

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With files from The Associated Press