Canada, USA, Brazil qualify for Cup Quarters

All three Americas sides at the São Paulo stop on the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series will play in the Cup quarter-finals on day two after an exciting day one at the Arena Barueri. Canada and the USA both qualified by virtue of finishing second in their respective pools with two wins from three each, while Brazil edged in on points differential after a big win over Japan.

The upsets that resonated in the Dubai tournament were absent in São Paulo, with New Zealand reclaiming their dominant form of last season and cruising to three comprehensive wins to take the favorites tag heading into day two. Australia and France also finished the day unbeaten albeit in less convincing fashion.

Canada enjoyed a promising start to their tournament, showing good form as they defeated both Ireland and Fiji comfortably. A high level encounter saw them take an early lead against Australia, only to concede three tries in a difficult second half.

Fortunes favored the USA later in the day, as they came up against a fired up New Zealand side to open their account. They defeated Russia in a competitive second match, and routed Spain to wrap up day one.

Brazil were full of energy and put up a fight but ultimately were outclassed by both France and England. Japan proved a more manageable challenge, and the Brazilians produced their best performance of the day scoring five tries to only one against.

Day two will offer new challenges for each as Brazil face the daunting prospect of New Zealand in their quarter-final draw. Canada will take on France in what should be a tight match, and the USA are matched up against England.

All matches are streamed live by World Rugby.

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
Australia 26 – 17 Fiji
Canada 26 – 7 Ireland
Australia 19 – 5 Ireland
Canada 24 – 7 Fiji
Australia 29 – 14 Canada
Fiji 15 – 7 Ireland

POOL B
Russia 12 – 19 Spain
New Zealand 35 – 5 USA
Russia 10 – 19 USA
New Zealand 46 – 0 Spain
Russia 10 – 40 New Zealand
Spain 0 – 33 USA

POOL C
England 38 – 5 Japan
France 29 – 10 Brazil
England 24 – 12 Brazil
France 36 – 7 Japan
England 12 – 17 France
Japan 5 – 27 Brazil

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Feb 21 – 08:00 EST – Cup QF – Australia vs Fiji
Feb 21 – 08:22 EST – Cup QF – New Zealand vs Brazil
Feb 21 – 08:44 EST – Cup QF – France vs Canada
Feb 21 – 09:06 EST – Cup QF – USA vs England

Feb 21 – 09:28 EST – Bowl QF – Spain vs Japan
Feb 21 – 09:50 EST – Bowl QF – Ireland vs Russia