Canada earn historic Bronze at Vancouver Sevens

Canada’s Men’s Sevens team produced an historic effort on Day Two of the Vancouver Sevens, defeating South Africa to earn a best ever Bronze finish at their home tournament. New Zealand claimed the top spot in a close battle against Australia. The USA settled for 6th place, while Argentina slumped to third from the bottom.

The outstanding form shown on Day One carried over as the Canadians blanked Spain in the Cup Quarter Finals. Their Semi Final was against Australia, a match nearly stolen at the death. Mike Fuailefau’s late try gave his team a chance and Theo Sauder came just inches away from touching down, just losing the ball over the line on the final play of the game.

One day after setting a new single day attendance record for the sport in Canada, BC Place was again packed with passionate supporters who were rewarded with another remarkable upset win. Having beaten 3rd-ranked Fiji in the pool stage, the Canadians this time toppled No2-ranked South Africa. Two tries from Justin Douglas put them in the lead and Nathan Hirayama sealed the famous victory.

 

 

New Zealand had beaten the Blitzboks in the Semi Final, and the would take the ultimate prize in a come-from-behind win over Australia. Trailing 14-5 in the second half, tries from Andrew Knewstubb and Joe Ravouvou, the second of the game for the latter, pulled them back out in front and they held on to take their third title of the season.

The Eagles came up well short against South Africa in their Quarter Final. They would respond with a record score against Fiji in the 5th Place Semi Final, with six players touching down in the 40-14 result. A Perry Baker hat trick was almost enough to catch England in the 5th Place Final, but Tom Mitchell was one conversion better than Madison Hughes with the boot.

Argentina’s frustrations from Day One continued. Despite three tries from Germán Schulz they fell decisively to Scotland in their first 9th Place Quarter Final. Marcos Moneta, one day removed from his 20th birthday, scored twice in a one-sided win over Wales. Moneta would go one better with a hat trick against Ireland but the green jerseys were too strong in the 13th Place Final.

The results see Canada jumping two spots to 8th overall after six events. Falling to 7th are the USA, with Los Pumas also dropping one spot to 9th place. The circuit now takes a long hiatus due to the Coronavirus outbreak that saw the Asian leg postponed until October. London will host on May 23rd, with Paris the following weekend being the final stop of the season before the Tokyo Olympics.

 

 

DAY TWO RESULTS

9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Japan 19 – 50 Samoa
Ireland 21 – 22 France
Scotland 28 – 17 Argentina
Wales 0 – 28 Kenya

CUP QUARTER FINALS
South Africa 26 – 10 USA
New Zealand 17 – 5 Fiji
Australia 31 – 12 England
Canada 21 – 0 Spain

13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Japan 12 – 21 Ireland
Argentina 31 – 7 Wales

9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Samoa 0 – 19 France
Scotland 12 – 7 Kenya

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
USA 40 – 14 Fiji
England 26 – 17 Spain

CUP SEMI FINALS
South Africa 15 – 27 New Zealand
Australia 19 – 14 Canada

13th PLACE FINAL
Ireland 31 – 26 Argentina

9th PLACE FINAL
France 7 – 12 Scotland

5th PLACE FINAL
USA 24 – 26 England

BRONZE FINAL
South Africa 19 – 26 Canada

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 17 – 14 Australia