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North America will not have a team in the Top 8 for the first time ever at an HSBC Women’s Sevens Series event after both the USA and Canada crashed out of contention on Day One at Kitakyushu. It’s also the first time Canada will finish in the bottom four since the Women’s Series was launched in 2012.
Things started badly before a ball had been kicked for Canada as their talisman and captain Ghislaine Landry was ruled out with injury.
They recovered from the shock to defeat Fiji. The second game would not go to plan, however, with a late try from Emily Scott stealing the win. Olivia Apps scored within seconds in the final pool match but from there out it was all Russia and Canada’s Quarter Final hopes evaporated.
The USA’s end-result was the same though their trajectory in the opposite direction. France blew them away in the opener with a stunning 36-0 result. An improved showing against Commonwealth Champions New Zealand saw them at least competitive, and they at last got a win to end the day in convincing fashion against Japan.
It will be a rematch in the Trophy Semi Final on Day Two for the Eagles with Japan up again. Canada will take on Ireland in the other Trophy Semi Final. The winners will play each other for 9th place overall.
In the meantime China celebrated their return to the Series by defeating Ireland and sneaking into the Cup Quarter Finals on points differential. New Zealand were the only side to emerge undefeated on Day One and look on course to cruise through to the Cup Final.
USA viewers can watch live on The Rugby Channel. Canadians can watch on the CBC Sports Website.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Spain 14 – 17 Ireland
Australia 33 – 5 China
Spain 19 – 17 China
Australia 31 – 0 Ireland
Ireland 12 – 24 China
Australia 14 – 17 Spain
POOL B
France 36 – 0 USA
New Zealand 38 – 5 Japan
France 33 – 5 Japan
New Zealand 31 – 12 USA
USA 45 – 17 Japan
New Zealand 38 – 7 France
POOL C
Russia 17 – England 10
Canada 38 – 14 Fiji
Russia 5 – 29 Fiji
Canada 19 – 21 England
England 12 – 31 Fiji
Canada 5 – 19 Russia
DAY TWO FIXTURES
SAT, APRIL 21 – 21:30 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs China
SAT, APRIL 21 – 21:52 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs Australia
SAT, APRIL 21 – 22:14 ET – CUP QF – France vs Russia
SAT, APRIL 21 – 22:36 ET – CUP QF – Spain vs England
SAT, APRIL 21 – 22:58 ET – TROPHY SF – USA vs Japan
SAT, APRIL 21 – 23:20 ET – TROPHY SF – Canada vs Ireland
