Canada perfect on Sydney Day One

Canada emerged as one of three unbeaten sides through the pool stages of the Sydney Sevens on Thursday. Two tries from Britt Benn led to an opening triumph over Fiji, followed quickly by wins over Ireland and Russia to cement top spot in Pool C as Canada look to repeat as champions on the second stop of the 2017-18 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series. They will face France in the Quarter Finals on Friday.

The USA were the only other Americas representative in the women’s bracket. A Naya Tapper hat-trick wasn’t enough to see them past England. Two tries each for Tapper, Alev Kelter, and Hope Rogers saw them defeat Japan with ease but New Zealand proved far too clinical in their final pool encounter. The Women’s Eagles just managed to sneak into the Quarter Final in points differential, however, and will face Russia in their next match.

As good as Canada and New Zealand were, hosts Australia proved the most impressive outfit of Day One. Three wins from three and an incredible points total of 122 for, 0 against, sees them advance to the knock-outs as tournament favorites. They will play Spain for a second time, a team who they already brushed past by 29-0 in their first match of the tournament.

Canadian viewers can watch a live stream on CBC Sports. The Rugby Channel is providing a free stream for those in the USA. Viewers outside those countries can watch via World Rugby.

 

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
France 50 – 0 Papua New Guinea
Australia 29 – 0 Spain
France 22 – 0 Spain
Australia 50 – 0 Papua New Guinea
Spain 29 – 0 Papua New Guinea
Australia 43 – 0 France

POOL B
USA 24 – 28 England
New Zealand 48 – 7 Japan
USA 38 – 0 Japan
New Zealand 33 – 12 England
USA 0 – 31 New Zealand
England 10 – 17 Japan

POOL C
Russia 19 – 7 Ireland
Canada 24 – 12 Fiji
Russia 19 – 12 Fiji
Canada 24 – 12 Ireland
Russia 5 – 19 Canada
Ireland 17 – 14 Fiji

 

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Fri, Jan 26 – 17:00 ET – TROPHY SF – England vs Papua New Guinea
Fri, Jan 26 – 17:22 ET – TROPHY SF – Japan vs Fiji

Fri, Jan 26 – 17:44 ET – CUP QF – Australia vs Spain
Fri, Jan 26 – 18:06 ET – CUP QF – USA vs Russia
Fri, Jan 26 – 18:28 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Ireland
Fri, Jan 26 – 18:50 ET – CUP QF – Canada vs France