Aussies have brilliant reaction after qualifying for 4x400m final

Australia have qualified for the final of the women's 4x400m relay at the Rio Olympics.

The team of Jessica Thornton, Anneliese Rubie, Caitlin Sargent-Jones and Morgan Mitchell were eighth overall in three minutes and 25.71 seconds.

Not since Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Tamsyn Lewis, Nova Peris and Cathy Freeman finished fifth at the Sydney 2000 Games has Australia been represented in the event.

After finishing fourth in the first heat and just short of an automatic spot, they faced a tense wait to learn whether their three minutes and 25.71 seconds would be enough.

"It was a bit nerve-racking," said Thornton.

Go girls! Image: AAP

"When we realised we just screamed as loud as we could."

Eighteen-year-old Olympic debutant Thornton blitzed the opening leg to put Australia in a solid position before Mitchell finished strong, only marginally beaten to third by Poland.

"I was actually pretty good, I thought I'd be a bit more dead on the ground," Thornton said.

"I wasn't really nervous, surprisingly.

"I'm only 18 so I don't really have anything to lose.

"Just getting on this team was incredible enough for me."

The United States clocked the fastest qualifying time of 3:21.42.