Canada Finish 3rd at Brazil 7s: Defeat Spain and Brazil; Lose to NZ on Day 2
posted Feb 23 2014
Canada got a chance to set the record straight with Spain after allowing the Europeans to wipe out a 19-0 deficit and claim a win on Day 1. On Day 2 it was a different story as Canada kept their foot to the floor and cruised to a 22-0 victory. They then had a heartbreaking loss to NZ, a game they were winning until the final seconds and settled for 3rd with a comprehensive win over England.
The third place finish at the tournament matches their standing in the series where they narrowly trail Australia and New Zealand. The next iRB series tournament for Women is China in April.
from rugbycanada.ca
CANADA 22-0 SPAIN
(Starting seven: Bianca Farella, Jen Kish, Ghislaine Landry, Kayla Moleschi, Karen Paquin, Kelly Russell & Ashley Steacy)
Looking for redemption after giving up a 19-0 lead in Fridays defeat, Canada took it to Spain right from the opening kick.
Just 71 seconds in, Canadas top try scorer on the season Bianca Farella gave the team an early 5-0 lead as she broke free along the touch line.
Kelly Russell added another try to give Canada a 10-0 lead at half.
With Spain playing on the back-foot for most of the match, Canada dictated play with ball possession and field position.
Spains best chance to score came midway through the second half, but a great defensive effort from Ghislaine Landry, who then went the length of the pitch for the try, ensured Canadas first clean sheet of the tournament.
CANADA 17-21 NEW ZEALAND
(Starting seven: Bianca Farella, Jen Kish, Ghislaine Landry, Kayla Moleschi, Karen Paquin, Kelly Russell & Ashley Steacy)
Canada was seconds away from their first ever Womens Sevens World Series win over New Zealand, but a failure to hold possession proved costly as the Black Ferns scored after the hooter had sounded.
Playing in wet conditions under heavy rainfall, Canada looked like the better team in the first seven minutes, taking a 12-7 into half time.
After Karen Paquin scored her second try of the match, Canada looked to be in great position for the victory.
However, New Zealand would score with 20 seconds left in the match to bring them within three points. Instead of holding onto possession, Canada lost the ball, which proved costly as the Black Ferns scored with no time left on the clock.
What head coach John Tait said:
Obviously a pretty gutted group to let that one slip. Some harsh lessons for us in how to finish off a team of that caliber. The positive is we closed the gap significantly from last weeks final against them and the team will take confidence in that we can execute against them, but need it for the full time and from everyone coming off the bench. We have to pick ourselves back up and focus on getting another performance against England and finishing this series with another win.
CANADA 26-0 ENGLAND
Canada responded after a disappointing loss to New Zealand with a convincing 26-0 win over England.
With England resting some of their starters, Canada went full throttle for the entire 14 minutes, dominating both sides of the ball.
On the attack, Canada was led by Ghislaine Landrys 11 points and Kayla Moleschis two tries while Bianca Farella touched down with her eighth try of the tournament.
What head coach John Tait said:
Finishing with a convincing win over a team we have struggled with in the past, after the semifinal loss, was a great consolation. This team is getting more resilient with experience. I am so happy and proud of the way the entire group recovered both physically and mentally to the New Zealand match. We are starting to build some real belief in what we are capable of when we connect consistently on both attack and defence. Bianca Farella has shown some real growth on both sides of the ball these last two weeks, scoring from anywhere and everywhere and is only going to get better. Ashley Steacy is such a massive player for us; her size belies just what a fierce competitor she is. Jen Kish showed again why she is one of the best if not the best defender in Women’s Sevens. All of these ladies work so hard here and at home to represent Canada, and I am grateful to be their coach. The entire support staff did an excellent job of preparing the team and went above and beyond.
DAY ONE February 21, 2014
Canada 17-5 Netherlands
Canada 40-7 Brazil
Canada 26-28 Spain
DAY TWO February 22, 2014
Canada 22-0 Spain (Cup Quarterfinals)
Canada 17-21 New Zealand (Cup Semifinals)
Canada 26-0 England (3rd/4th Place Match)
Canadas Womens Sevens Roster for Atlanta Sevens Name, (Club) Hometown
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Bianca Farella, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Paige Farries (Druid RFC) Red Deer, AB
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Jennifer Kish, (Edmonton Rockers RFC) Edmonton, AB (Captain)
Ghislaine Landry, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Kayla Moleschi, (Williams Lake Rustlers) Williams Lake, BC
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Ashley Steacy, (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
*Canada Fade in the Heat at Brazil 7s: Chance for Redemption Tomorrow*
posted Feb 21 2014
Canada went through the first two games in style dispatching the Netherlands 17-5 and then hosts Brazil 40-7. They were up 19-0 against Spain and then the wheels fell off. They gave up 28 straight points to lose 28-26. Tomorrow is a chance for redemption however as they meet Spain again in the Cup quarter-finals.
Australia and New Zealand were the only undefeated teams in the pool round which reflects their top 2 ranking in the series to date. If Canada get past Spain tomorrow they’ll likely get another crack at NZ in the Cup semis.
from irb.com
Canada faced a tough pool and had to grind it out in the first half against a plucky Brazilian team, playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in the series. But, in perhaps the biggest shock of the day, the Canadian side came unstuck against Spain, losing 26-28 in a thriller. They did however still qualify for the last eight of the Cup, and will face Spain in the quarters again on Saturday.
Captain Jen Kish said the Brazilian heat was a factor in their performances on Friday.
“It was extremely hot and we are finding it really hard to adapt to the weather, communication goes down when you are exhausted and we are trying to adjust to it.”
“We are under a bit of pressure, but it’s good because we know a lot of people support us here. We want to show them that our Rugby is good and I believe we will be able to do this.”