Maddison Levi was in electrifying form as she scored a hat-trick to ensure the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games champions Australia won their second World Cup title 24-22 in the women's event.

The Black Fearns' Tenika Willison had a chance to level the scores and send the game to extra time with the last kick of the match after Alena Saili crossed the line for a late try.

However, her attempt sailed just wide of the left-hand post causing Willison to collapse to the ground and Australian celebrations to commence.

The match was a replay of the Birmingham 2022 semi-final, a tournament in which New Zealand won bronze.

Third place in the World Cup was comfortably claimed by France as they beat the United States 29-7.

Fiji ended New Zealand's nine-year reign as men's champions with a 29-12 victory in South Africa.

Respective semi-final wins against Australia and Ireland set up a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal game, which was also won by the Fijians.

Fiji raced into a 12-0 lead courtesy of tries from Joseva Talacolo and Kaminielo Rasaku inside the first two minutes.

New Zealand produced a quick reply but still went into the half-time break with a 24-5 deficit.

They were unable to gain sufficient ground on their opponents and Fiji secured their third Rugby World Cup Sevens victory to equal New Zealand's record.

Fiji's two other victories both came in Hong Kong in 1997 and 2005.

Earlier in the day, Ireland won the bronze medal with a 19-14 win over Australia.