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The Women’s Eagles made a statement on Day Two of the Dubai Sevens, running through North American rivals Canada to emerge unbeaten in Pool A. Both sides will advance to the Cup Quarter Finals while Brazil must settle for the 11th-Place Playoff against Japan.
Canada had no trouble in their first match of the day, shutting out Brazil 43-0. Bianca Farella scored two as six different players touched down. In the next match, the USA dispatched Russia 33-14 with Alev Kelter’s double leading the way among five try-scorers.
What should have been a battle of heavyweights was hugely disappointing from a Canadian perspective. The Eagles were rampant, taking a 17-0 lead to halftime thanks to tries from Kristi Kirshe, Kelter, and Naya Tapper. Farella replied early in the second half for Canada but Kirshe got her second before Cheta Emba added two scores wrapped around a Kaili Lukan single.
The USA’s physical dominance was most apparent. They dictated the collisions and broke several tackles, a worrying sign for the Canadians who have not been at their best to start the new campaign.
Brazil’s third match was competitive, and saw the Yaras leading Russia 7-5 at halftime thanks to a Mariana Silva try and Raquel Kochhann conversion. They would fall away in the second half, however, with three unanswered tries going to the Russians.
There were notable results to start and end the day in the women’s bracket. Spain tied Fiji 19-all in the first match, with Mereula Torooti’s late score saving Fiji from defeat. In the last match of the day, France held New Zealand scoreless in the second half to stun the Black Ferns 19-14 and earn top spot in Pool C.
The first match on Day Three will see Brazil playing against Japan with 11th place in the line. Canada will face the in-form France in the second Quarter Final, with the USA in the last Quarter Final against Russia, a team they beat with relative ease on Day Two.
Live broadcasts will be available on the CBC Sports website in Canada, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and ESPN in South America.
POOL STAGE RESULTS
POOL A
Canada 24 – 19 Russia
USA 29 – 7 Brazil
Canada 43 – 0 Brazil
USA 33 – 14 Russia
Russia 22 – 7 Brazil
USA 34 – 10 Canada
POOL B
Spain 12 – 10 Ireland
Australia 38 – 10 Fiji
Spain 19 – 19 Fiji
Australia 38 – 5 Ireland
Ireland 12 – 28 Fiji
Australia 38 – 5 Spain
POOL C
France 29 – 0 England
New Zealand 48 – 0 Japan
France 21 – 7 Japan
New Zealand 40 – 12 England
England 31 – 14 Japan
New Zealand 14 – 19 France
DAY THREE AMERICAS FIXTURES
Saturday, Dec 7 – 09:00 local / 00:00 Eastern – 11th Place Final – Japan vs Brazil
Saturday, Dec 7 – 10:06 local / 01:06 Eastern – Cup Quarter Final – France vs Canada
Saturday, Dec 7 – 10:50 local / 01:50 Eastern – Cup Quarter Final – USA vs Russia
COMPLETE FIXTURES LIST HERE
