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Australia's men have work to do at the Spain Sevens in order to join their female counterparts in the last eight of world series event.

Australia's men have begun their world series campaign at the inaugural Spain Sevens with a shock draw before bouncing back to form in their second pool game.

Germany were invited to make up the numbers at the event in Malaga and went beyond their brief by drawing with Australia 12-12 in day one action.

After a scoreless first half, Australia led twice thanks to Nathan Lawson tries, only for Germany to draw level at the death after a Tim Lichtenberg try from his own break was drop converted by Fabian Heimpel.

Normal service resumed in Pool B when Australia thrashed Japan 42-0 in a six-try romp to round out their opening day commitments, while Germany lost to Ireland 24-7.

The winner of Australia's clash with Ireland on day two of the three-day event will advance to the Cup quarter-finals.

Germany and Jamaica were competing in place of New Zealand and Samoa, who are still unable to join the sevens world series because of travel restrictions in the pandemic.

Also unable to travel was Olympic champion Fiji, whose pool games were being scored 0-0 in their absence.

Meanwhile, Australia's women won both their matches to sit top of Pool A and secure a place in the last eight.

The Aussies trounced Belgium 40-5 to kick off their day before they saw off the challenge of Ireland 17-12.

Regardless of their result against Spain on day two, Australia will play in the quarter-finals as they attempt to make it three world series events wins in succession.

with AP