Japan showed their attacking prowess with three late tries Thursday, but it was not enough to prevent a third-straight pool stage loss as they went down 29-15 to Australia in the Women's Rugby World Cup.

With losses to Australia, Ireland and France, Japan finished at the bottom of the four-team Pool C standings while France led with a 3-0 record to advance to the semifinals. Australia earned their first win of the tournament and will battle for fifth place.

(Getty/Kyodo)

Australia raced away to a 19-0 lead on tries from Samantha Treherne, Grace Hamilton and Mahalia Murphy at University College Dublin, and Japan finally responded 46 minutes in, when Saki Minami fought her way over the try line.

Japan's second-half charge narrowed their opponents' advantage to just four points but Australia pulled away in the final 14 minutes with two more tries from Nareta Marsters and Treherne, who crossed for a double in the 72nd minute after slotting two conversions.

"It's my fault that we weren't able to win," said Japan coach Goshi Arimizu.

"Australia had the physical advantage. I had prepared for this, but we didn't play with enough determination. We have to accept this and do our best to finish as close as possible to a top-eight," said Japan captain Seina Saito.

On Tuesday, Japan will face Italy in the playoffs to determine the ninth to 12th-placed teams. The final for the 12-team tournament takes place Aug. 26 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.