by Canada’s men’s and women’s rugby teams both recorded victories on Saturday, but only the women managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament at Vancouver’s BC Place.
The women used a 31-7 decision against Brazil to vent their frustration at losing twice on the opening day. The men won their second straight game with a 35-7 win over Chile.
The women finished with a 1-2 record in Group C but moved on due to their points difference. The top two teams from the three women’s pools advance to the Quarterfinals, along with the top two third-place finishers.
In the men’s, Ireland, Australia and Canada all had 2-1 records in Pool D. Only the top two teams advanced and Canada missed the cut on points difference.
Canada’s fate was sealed when Australia defeated Ireland 21-7 in the men’s final game.
Sutton, Ontario’s Chloe Daniels, Montreal’s Bianca Farella, Edmonton’s Fancy Bermudez and Calgary’s Piper Logan all scored tries in the win over Brazil. Co-captain Oliva Apps added a try and kicked out three converts.
CLOCK | Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series Vancouver – Canada vs. Brazil:
Watch Canada take on Brazil at the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver.
Farella is playing in her 44th sevens tournament, tying her with Australia’s Sharni Williams for most on the all-time list.
Bermudez said the team spent the night regrouping after losing 17-12 to the United States and 28-7 to Ireland on the opening day of the competition on Friday.
“We got together, watched a movie and got back to that today,” she said. “We came in with a different intensity.
“We wanted to play aggressively and excitedly.”
The women now meet strong New Zealand, who have won three of the four tournaments this season. The Black Ferns have won all three games they played this weekend with an aggregate score of 127-14.
Toronto’s Josiah Morra and Vancouver’s Matthew Percillier each scored two tries in the win over Chile. Abbotsford, BC’s Jake Thiel added a try while Victoria’s Lachlan Kratz kicked four converts and Victoria’s Thomas Isherwood booted one.
“We knew what we had to do against a strong Chilean team today,” said Morra. “We had to fix some of the bugs from yesterday’s games and bring them into today’s game.”
CLOCK | Men’s World Rugby Sevens Series Vancouver – Canada vs. Chile:
Watch Canada play against Chile in the HSBC Men’s World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Vancouver.
After beating Ireland 35-5 in Friday’s opening game, the men beat Australia 27-12 to set up the decisive game against Chile.
The men now face Spain. The best they can get is ninth place.
The stands at BC Place were filled with colorful and sometimes very imaginative costumes. There were jellyfish with twinkling lights and pirates. A large flock of white sheep sat next to a group of cooks. There were workers in hard hats, people in fancy top hats, cowboy hats, and peaked hats.
A group of bananas rubbed shoulders with some tacos.
People danced to the music, sang and waved flags of the different nations playing.
The Canadian men entered the tournament 14th in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings and are fighting relegation.
The World Series is reducing the number of core men’s teams from 16 to 12 for the 2024 season to match the number of women’s teams and align with the Olympic competitive structure.
The Canadian men needed to reach the quarterfinals of the next four tournaments – while beating teams ahead of them – to earn enough points to climb to 11th place or better and not play in a relegation playoff.
The Canadians have 16 points and are 10th after four stops on their tour.
The top four men’s and women’s teams at the end of the season automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
