Historic win for Canada at Singapore 7s

Canada have made history with their first ever HSBC Sevens Series tournament victory as they defeated the USA by 26-19 in a tense Cup Final to cap an incredible final day in Singapore. Two North American sides in the Cup Final is another historic first for the Series, and the second such occasion in world rugby this year following the women’s final at Sydney in February. It also represents a stunning turnaround for a Canadian side that failed to qualify for the Olympic Games and did not reach a single Cup Quarter Final during the 2016-17 season.

It was a day of upsets on Day Two as top seeds Fiji, South Africa, and New Zealand all fell in succession in the Quarter Finals. The USA ran out to a 24-7 lead with two tries each from Stephen Tomasin and Ben Pinkelman and though they stormed back, Fiji ran out of time with the final score 24-19 to the Eagles. The next match was even more dramatic as a John Porch conversion of Lachie Anderson’s try on full-time gave Australia the win over Series leaders South Africa, the first time the Blitzbokke have failed to reach a Cup Final this season.

A brilliant individual performance from Nathan Hirayama led Canada past New Zealand in the third Quarter Final. The record-setting points scorer notched a hat-trick and 21 points in all as the Canadians blitzed the men in black to seal a memorable 26-14 win. A drop-goal penalty kick from Dan Bibby saved England from the same fate as they overcame a spirited Kenyan side in the fourth Quarter Final to sneak through by only a single point.

There was no such drama in the Semi Finals as the North Americans each delivered hammer blows to their opponents. The Eagles crushed Australia by 40-7 with Tomasin again good for a double and Perry Baker also touching down twice. Canada trailed England 5-0 at the break in the second Semi Final but roared back to score three times in the second half to set up a sensational final.

Buoyed by their new-found confidence the Canadians caught the Eagles off-balance with three tries in quick succession out of the gate from Matt Mullins, Harry Jones, and Mike Fuailefau. With their backs against the wall it was Baker and Tomasin again to the rescue to salvage a 19-12 score at the half. Baker produced another bit of magic to draw the scores level but then Lucas Hammond found just enough oxygen in the lungs to race through a gap and seal a famous victory for his country.

The other Americas representative, Argentina, did not fare as well. Their lethargic Day One carried over and saw them concede 19 points before halftime against France in the Trophy Quarter Final, ultimately falling 26-24. Dominant wins over Hong Kong and Russia at least put them out on a high but their 13th place finish will be most disappointing.

With the results Canada rockets up to 7th spot overall, leapfrogging both Scotland and Argentina, the latter of whom are now in 8th spot. The USA leads the way for the Americas in 5th spot and now trail New Zealand by nine points with two tournaments to go. The Series now moves on to its final European leg beginning in Paris on May 13.

 

 

 

DAY TWO RESULTS

TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Hong Kong 15 – 26 Scotland
Argentina 24 – 26 France
Wales 19 – 12 Russia
Japan 14 – 26 Samoa

CUP SEMI FINALS
Fiji 19 – 24 USA
Australia 19 – 17 South Africa
New Zealand 14 – 26 Canada
England 13 – 12 Kenya

13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Hong Kong 7 – 33 Argentina
Russia 24 – 21 Japan

TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Scotland 31 – 12 France
Wales 19 – 14 Samoa

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Fiji 14 – 19 South Africa
New Zealand 24 – 21 Kenya

CUP SEMI FINALS
USA 40 – 7 Australia
Canada 17 – 5 England

13th PLACE FINAL
Argentina 40 – 19 Russia

TROPHY FINAL
Scotland 12 – 24 Wales

5th PLACE FINAL
South Africa 12 – 17 New Zealand

BRONZE FINAL
Australia 12 – 14 England

CUP FINAL
USA 19 – 26 Canada