Canberra claimed two wins from six games to finish seventh in the opening round of Rugby Australia's university sevens series at the University of Queensland on Sunday.

While Queensland surged to the title, a 20-12 qualifying final defeat at the hands of the University of Adelaide sent Canberra into a seventh place playoff.

Standing in their way was the University of New England, featuring Rhiannon Byers, who's grandparents Ian and Shirley Usher are based in Nowra - the only side Canberra had conquered throughout the tournament.

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A first half flurry laid the platform for a dominant 34-7 triumph to claim seventh position in the opening leg of the 10-team competition.

Canberra now have two weeks to regroup before lacing up the boots for the second leg of the tournament on the Gold Coast on September 28-29.

They will likely do so without Sharni Williams and Yasmin Meakes with a world series event set to keep Australian representatives occupied until the final round of the university series in Canberra on October 27-28.

Jamberoo Superoos' Lauren Murty and her University of Sydney side finished with the bronze, behind winners University of Queensland and runners-up UTS.

UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA'S FIXTURES AT A GLANCE (ROUND ONE):

Saturday: University of WA 17 bt University of Canberra 12; UTS 22 bt University of Canberra 10; University of Canberra 19 bt University of New England 7; University of Queensland 36 bt University of Canberra 0.

Sunday: Qualifying final - University of Adelaide 20 bt University of Canberra 12; Seventh place playoff - University of Canberra 34 bt University of New England 7.

UNIVERSITY SEVENS SERIES

Round 2: September 28-29 - Bond University

Round 3: October 12-13 - University of Adelaide

Round 4: October 26-27 - University of Canberra