On a roll in the group stages of the Dubai sevens but with match-ending injuries threatening two players and their world series title defence, the Olympic gold medallists pulled it out of the bag yet again on Thursday.

Stars Alicia Quirk and Chloe Dalton, both physiotherapy graduates, performed emergency treatment on teammate Brooke Anderson in the first half of the Pearls' clash with the USA, strapping up Anderson's leg and allowing her to play out the match, propelling the team into the tournament quarter finals.

Drastic measures were called for when Tiana Penitani and Anderson went down in the same play early in the match, as Australia led 7-0. The Pearls were left to defend a USA onslaught with five players as the team physiotherapist struggled to tend to both.

The USA hit back with a try of their own as it became clear Tiana Penitani would need a stretcher to leave the field.

At that point, with play stopped for several minutes and Anderson still down, Dalton and Quirk's instincts kicked in. They reached for the tape and strapped up their teammate's right leg, allowing play to continue and the Australians to go into the break with a narrow 12-10 lead.

Anderson returned for the second half and the Pearls hit top gear, with rising star Mahalia Murphy scoring to give Australia the match 19-10.

The win capped a statement-making first day for the gold medallists and reigning world series champions. They started the campaign with a 38-5 win over South Africa and accounted for Russia 20-7, before playing USA.

They Australia women's sevens side face France in the Cup quarter final on day two, to be broadcast live on Fox Sports at 5.06pm on Friday.