Australia's men's team took a big step towards a home town World Series title, defying a spirited USA comeback in a crucial 26-19 win in their opening Sydney 7s clash.
The hosts turned it on in the first seven minutes, sprinting to a 19-0 half-time lead against the fleet-footed Americans.
But with more ball to begin the second half the US were almost unstoppable.
Perry Baker showed off his superior pace to run rings around the scrambling Australian defence to score himself,
He scored himself before setting up another as the US levelled at 19-19.
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But Australia steadied once they finally regained some possession, with Tim Anstee running onto a perfectly timed pass from the ruck to run 80m untouched with 70 seconds remaining.
Australia gave the US one last chance to level when they lost a crucial line-out, but substitute Jesse Parahi came up with the match-winning play to steal back possession in his return to the side after two injury-interrupted years.
"The first seven minutes was probably some of the best football we've played, but that's where the possession is everything," coach Andy Friend said.
"We probably fell asleep a bit there but the pleasing thing was we came back.
"It's a massive one (win); they're a tough side, USA and we've struggled against them in the past and we're in a really open pool."
It reversed Australia's 31-14 loss to the US in the most recent World Series leg in Cape Town and puts them in the box seat to top their group after Saturday's games against Canada and Scotland.
Scotland shape as the biggest danger to Australia, who haven't won a World Series event since 2012, after destroying Canada 52-5 in the final game of the day at Allianz Stadium.
Earlier, series leaders New Zealand breezed by Russia 61-0, England beat Spain 22-10, Argentina pipped Kenya 7-5 and second-placed South Africa beat Papua New Guinea 50-0.
France beat Wales 31-12 while Olympic champions Fiji put on a second-half masterclass to beat Samoa 31-5 in a five-try performance that brought the crowd to life.
