Uproar over dodgy call amid devastating scenes for Aussie women's sevens team at Olympics

The Aussie women's sevens team has been left devastated after they were knocked out of the Olympics without a medal - and a controversial moment against Canada in the semi-final left greats baffled. Australia was the favourite to reach the final of the women's sevens in Paris, with Madi Levi already showcasing her world class talent on her way to breaking the record try tally at a single Olympics.

And the Aussies looked set to make the charge into the final as they were leading Canada 12-0 in the semi-final clash. However, things started to go all wrong for the Aussies as they conceded 21 unanswered points in a shock 21-12 loss.

The defeat was described as the '“the biggest upset in recent memory”, according to Sean Maloney as the girls were left in tears on the sideline. "They look shell-shocked here, the Australians," the commentator said on the global broadcast. "They can't believe it's going wrong from the scripts they had written."

While the Aussies were left shattered, one controversial moment turned the tide in Canada's favour in the second-half. At 12-7, Charlotte Caslick appeared to make her way through the ruck and made the tackle while Canada were on the charge.

Referee George Selwood saw the tackle differently and penalised Caslick. The Aussie questioned the referee's call, but was quickly shut down. "Please stop shouting at me," the referee hit back before he said the penalty was because "you're off your feet and you're offside at the ruck".

However, former Wallaroos star Sera Naiqama and Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell did not agree with the penalty. "She's hard done by there," Mitchell said in commentary. Maloney said, "I don't understand what's wrong with that", before Naiqama claimed: "I absolutely don't see it. Charlotte did a brilliant job at coming through the gate. Her hands didn't even touch the ground, so you can understand the frustration."

Canada capitalised on the penalty and went on to score shortly after. While the moment changed the momentum, Australia were well below their best against Canada being unable to stop the 21 unanswered points to lose their chance of an gold medal.

Madi Levi breaks Olympics try scoring record

And in more heartbreaking fashion, the USA scored a last-minute try against Australia to win 14-12 to leave the Aussies without a medal. Levi scored two tries to take her record try tally to 14 at the Olympics. She finished four tries ahead of the previous record at an Olympics tournament. But it wasn't enough for Australia. The USA responded with three unanswered tries to leave Australia shell-shocked.

Coach Tim Walsh praises Aussies after Sevens campaign

Caslick was left devastated after the loss and felt the Aussies had given it there all during the tournament. "I'm pretty gutted," Caslick said.

"It's the beauty of sevens and sport; that's why we play it. It's a game of moments and there's probably a few things we would have loved to do differently, but we can't take that back. It sucks, obviously; we want to come home with a medal, we're the ones that train every day to have this feeling."

She then took to social media after the loss and wrote "we're sorry" to her fans. Regardless, coach Walsh admitted was proud of the team for giving it there all for the nation. “They’re devastated. they’ve put a lot into it, everyone has," he said after the loss to the USA.

RELATED:

• Fans left shattered over devastating news about Aussie Lani Pallister

• Ariarne Titmus' brutal unseen moment as podium detail called out

"We came into this tournament to walk away without regret and every single one has done that. “They’re going to be disappointed, but I’m proud of them.” New Zealand managed to come from 12-7 down to win the gold medal against Canada and defend their title. Aussie fans reacted to the 'shattering' loss for the world champs with many expecting them to win gold after two strong opening days.