AUSTRALIA has finished the Polocrosse World Cup with a 31-8 victory against United States to clinch third place at Rugby in England.

The playoff for third was over six chukkas with captain and Warwick player Cameron Shepherd starting the second chukka at number 2 (centrefield) and playing number 1 (shooter) in the fourth chukka.

Australian manager Lachlan Ross said it was an exceptional performance by his team against the United States.

"Coach Ross Shepherd did a magnificent job rotating the players in the game," Lachlan said.

Cameron said he thought the United States might have been a bit tougher.

"It was a comprehensive win but not what we came here for," Cameron said.

Australia was knocked out of the competition in the semi final by eventual winners South Africa.
South Africa beat Zimbabwe 29-18 in the final.

He said it was an honour to be Australian captain at the cup but very disappointing to miss the final.

Cameron played on Mel, a mare from Ireland, in all cup games, except against South African when he played on English horse Henry.

Robert Sibley played on Henry in the playoff for third as his horse was lame on the morning on the game which meant Cameron was on Mel for the game against the United States.

Coach Ross Shepherd said the Australians didn't draw as well with their pool of men's horses as he would have hoped.

"The South Africa and Zimbabwe men had better pools of horses than our men," Ross said.

"Our ladies were very happy with their horses."

The 96 horses for the world cup were divided into eight pools for the draw at the start of the first week of the cup.