Australia has finished sixth in the women’s water polo competition in Rio after being beaten in their final rankings game.

The Stingers were ruled out of medal contention with a quarter-final loss earlier in the week, relegating them to play for rankings positions.

They were pitted against Spain in the play-off for fifth.

NSWIS contingent Bronwen Knox, Hannah Buckling, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Isobel Bishop, Keesja Gofers, Lea Yanitsas and Nicola Zagame were in action for the Stingers.

Australia led 5-4 at quarter-time but conceded three goals in each of the following two terms to make things difficult.

Buckling scored a hat-trick for Australia while Zagame landed a double.

It was 2-all in the final term, with Spain winning the contest 12-10.

It ended a disappointing campaign for Australia who came into the Rio Games with high hopes of winning their first Olympic gold medal since 2000 in Sydney.

USA won a one-sided gold medal match 12-5 against Italy.