Australia’s men have outclassed Wales 26-0 to book a spot in the semi-finals of the Sydney rugby sevens.

The youthful hosts made the most of an easier finals draw where they were able to avoid a knockout clash with Olympic champions Fiji on Sunday.

Australia will face championship leaders South Africa for a place in the final.

Despite being a danger game with Wales downing Fiji in the pool stages, Australia dominated their opponents from the outset at Allianz Stadium.

Outside back Henry Hutchinson gathered a pass off his toes out wide to score from midfield to give Australia the advantage after two minutes.

Some impressive link up play down the right flank helped Alex Gibbon score again for Australia, before Hutchinson grabbed his second for a 19-0 lead at halftime.

Wales pressed hard for a response after the break, but Australia won a turnover in their territory for Simon Kennewell to score the team’s fourth try.

In Saturday’s pool stages, Australia lost to New Zealand before bouncing back with convincing wins over Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

It’s the first time the Australian men have made the semi-finals in the 2016-17 world series.

South Africa, who have won two out of three world sevens tournaments in 2016-17, easily accounted for the United States 21-10 in their quarter-final.

In other final-eight results, New Zealand beat Fiji 24-21 and England defeated Argentina 24-7.