Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A last-gasp try from captain Ghislaine Landry gave Canada a 7-5 win over England in the Cup Final of the Kitakyushu Sevens early Sunday morning. It’s Canada’s first HSBC Sevens Series Cup title since the Sydney Sevens in February 2017 and just their fourth since the Women’s Series began in 2012.
The win capped a perfect tournament for the Canadians, who won all six of their matches but not without difficulty. After building a 17-0 lead against Russia, they held on to escape with the final score 17-14.
Two tries from Bianca Farella led the way in a more comfortable win over the USA in the Semi Final. They held a 24-7 lead until Lauren Doyle’s second try gave the Women’s Eagles a consolation score but they would instead settle for a Bronze finish.
For the first time in the history of the Women’s circuit, neither New Zealand or Australia would make the Semi Finals. New Zealand fell to the USA after a late try from Kristi Kirshe gave the Eagles a 26-19 win.
The Bronze final would be a relatively easy 36-12 result over France with Doyle and Naya Tapper each scoring two tries apiece.
As a result Canada jumps ahead of the USA into second overall, and just six points behind New Zealand for top spot. Two points behind in 3rd place, the USA hold a healthy eight-point lead over Australia.
More importantly, both North American sides look in good shape for automatic Olympic Qualification. 5th-place France trail the Eagles by 18 points and Canada by 20 with just two tournaments to play. The top four teams will punch their tickets to Tokyo 2020 at season’s end.
DAY TWO RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
Canada 17 – 14 Russia
USA 26 – 19 New Zealand
Australia 7 – 21 England
France 19 – 0 Ireland
TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Spain 12 – 5 China
Japan 17 – 28 Fiji
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Russia 0 – 36 New Zealand
Australia 29 – 7 Ireland
CUP SEMI FINALS
Canada 24 – 12 USA
England 19 – 17 France
11th PLACE FINAL
China 7 – 0 Japan
TROPHY FINAL
Spain 12 – 41 Fiji
7th PLACE FINAL
Russia 14 – 15 Ireland
5th PLACE FINAL
New Zealand 34 – 26 Australia
BRONZE FINAL
USA 36 – 12 France
CUP FINAL
Canada 7 – 5 England
