Got to feel for the highly-fancied Australian women after they fell short again at an Olympics. The shock 21-12 loss to Canada this morning means they play the US for bronze later today.

No time for self-pity, as captain Charlotte Caslick pointed out at a post-match press conference.

"It sucks, but we've got to go again and try and win a bronze medal," she said. 

"We are still ready and focused. We can't feel too sorry for ourselves. That can come later. We still have a lot to play for."

The Aussies looked on track for a gold medal showdown at half-time, leading Canada 12-0 late in the first half, but Canada responded with three converted tries.

"I think we cost ourselves a bit," mused Caslick. "We were not 100 per cent in the back end of the first half. And then they got back into the game.

"And in the second half we did not have any ball, and couldn't get it away from them. We can't fault the effort. It was there, but perhaps we were just too eager at times."

It's back-to-back Olympics heartbreak for the Australians after they narrowly lost to Fiji in the quarter finals in Tokyo. 

Still, there's Olympics bronze in the offing.

"We've one more game to represent Australia at the Olympics. We played well all tournament and I am so proud of the girls, and we go again," Caslick said.

"The USA also just lost so I guess we are in the same position. There is a lot to play for every time when representing Australia. It is not hard to get up and represent our country in the sport that we love."

That's the spirit. C'mon team!