Canada Finish 4th in Hong Kong – Next Tournament May 29-31 in Spain
Canada’s highlight of the tournament was the win over #5 USA on Day 2 but they were no match for #1 NZ or #3 France on Day 3. Canada also picked up injuries during the tournament and fielded an 11 player roster against France minus Fancy Bermudez and Caroline Crossley, both injured in the Australia NZ match. Next up is the tournament in Spain at the end of May. Canada will be in a pool with France, Spain and Great Britain. NZ won the Hong Kong women’s tournament, South Africa the men’s tournament.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team have concluded the first leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championships in Hong Kong with a fourth-place finish after losses to New Zealand and France on the final day of the tournament.
The final two playoff matches would see spurs of excellence from Canada with Olivia Apps’ veteran leadership coming into play, but ultimately fell to strong performances starting in the semi-final from world #1 ranked New Zealand—who would go on to win this year’s tournament and maintaining their spot in the standings, and against 4th ranked France in the third-place playoff, who would move on to claim the third spot ranking.
Canada 12 New Zealand 31 (Semi-Finals)
New Zealand took control early, striking first and quickly building a 14–0 lead with relentless pressure and sharp execution off Canadian errors. In addition to trying to fight through a strong defensive showing from New Zealand, Canada’s Fancy Bermudez and Caroline Crossley both sustained injuries that would not see either of them return to play for the rest of the tournament. A late try extended New Zealand’s advantage to 19–0 heading into halftime.
Canada showed some fight in the second half, as Olivia Apps broke through from deep to get them on the board, and Savannah Bauder converting to make it 19–7. However, New Zealand responded immediately, capitalizing on a stolen lineout and a Canadian turnover to stretch the lead to 31–7. Eden Kilgour’s fresh legs added a late try for Canada after a quick tap and go penalty play by Apps, but it wasn’t enough as New Zealand closed out a 31–12 victory.
Scoring Summary: Olivia Apps (1T), Eden Kilgour (1T), Savannah Bauder (1C)
Canada 7 France 31 (Third Place Play-Off)
Canada struck first just 30 seconds in, with Charity Williams finishing a quick attack and Olivia Apps adding the conversion for a 7–0 lead. France responded late in the half, first exploiting space out wide to get on the board, then powering over again in the corner and converting to take a 12–7 lead into halftime.
The second half saw France continue to take control, using their physicality to break through Canada’s defense for another converted try to extend the lead to 19–7. Despite a strong turnover from Williams early on, Canada struggled to relieve the pressure, and a costly knock-on deep in their own end led to another French score making it 24-7. France continued to dominate possession and finished with one more try and conversion, sealing a 31–7 victory.
Scoring Summary: Charity Williams (1T), Olivia Apps (1C)
WORDS FROM THE COACH
“Overall, when we look back at the tournament globally, we put in some good results and had some great games. We were a very close score away from getting our first chance of beating Australia this year, so to take that into a quarterfinal and also come out with victory from that was really impressive,” said Jocelyn Barrieau, Head Coach. “The game plan was executed so well and we put a cool plan in place and we worked through that with the team and we’re really proud of that performance.”
“To come out on day three trying to have a sniff at getting into our first final since 2020 on the World Series—barring the Olympics, so we were looking forward to that challenge today and just unfortunately we couldn’t build on any momentum in the New Zealand game and we had a few injuries and players who had to leave the field, so overall a tough day. ”
“Similar against France as well, we couldn’t get on the front foot and didn’t cherish and honour the possession that we talked about, so back to the drawing board in terms of application,” said Barrieau, upon reflection of the third place play-off. “We’re in our framing year and we want to continue to build that up and we have two more tournaments and an opportunity to grow on the foundation that we put in place last year and get things into a strong place moving forward for next year.”
NEXT UP FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS TEAM
HSBC SVNS World Championships in Valladolid, Spain, May 29-31, which will be made available on TSN+.
HSBC SVNS SERIES
For the most up to date information on the HSBC SVNS Series and live coverage, including details on the event format, the schedule and the latest news, visit the official website: https://www.svns.com/en.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS TEAM – HSBC HONG KONG SVNS ROSTER
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – Kent Havoc RFC
5. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish / University of British Columbia
7. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
8. Carmen Izyk (High River, AB) – Foothills Lions / Queen’s University
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC / Saracens
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Loughborough Lightning
14. Eden Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / University of Victoria
16. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
22. Sabrina Poulin (St-Georges, QC) – Town of Mount Royal RFC / Exeter Chiefs
35. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
38. Kennedi Stevenson (Glen Williams, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / Queen’s University
47. Larah Wright (Calgary, AB) – Hornets RFC / Westshore RFC / University of Victoria
Canada Advance to Semi-Final Against NZ in Hong Kong 7s: Video Highlights
Canada came up big on Day 2 after losing to Australia to finish 2nd in the pool, Canada defeated USA in the quarter-final to set up a semi-final match against NZ. France will face Australia in the other semi-final. While the women’s XVs team went down in defeat, the one player who excels in both variations, Olivia Apps, was leading the 7s team to victory. She probably is Canada’s top player, in XVS and 7s, on current form. Charity Williams scored two tries against USA and is hitting her peak form.
The match against NZ is at 10:14pm PT this evening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR4tIcdmlW4
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will face New Zealand in the HSBC SVNS Series World Championships semi-final in Hong Kong after placing second in their pool and defeating the USA in the quarter finals 19-7.
Canada kicked off their HSBC SVNS Series World Championships campaign with dominant performances in pool play, beginning with a 41-7 win against Great Britain, followed by a 31-0 win over South Africa. Despite dropping the last match of pool play 17-19 against second-ranked Australia, Canada put on a stellar team-performance to close out pool play. Canada would then carry that same world-class energy to their quarter final against the USA with a comfortable 19-7 win, ending the day on a strong finish.
Day 2
Canada 17 Australia 19
Canada opened strong with a team try from Charity Williams and a second soon after, with Olivia Apps converting to make it 12–0. Australia answered late in the half, cutting the lead to 12–5 at the break.
The second half shifted in Australia’s favour with two quick tries and conversions back-to-back, taking their first lead of the match 19–12. Florence Symonds responded with a late try to bring Canada within two, but a missed conversion proved decisive as Canada fell just short in their final pool match.
Scoring Summary: Charity Williams (2T), Florence Symonds (1T), Olivia Apps (1C)
Canada 19 USA 7 – Quarter Finals
Canada controlled the early play with sustained possession, and Charity Williams opened the scoring with Olivia Apps converting for a 7–0 lead. The USA threatened at times, but strong defense—highlighted by Florence Symonds—kept Canada ahead at halftime 7-0.
After the USA tied it early in the second half, Canada responded quickly as Apps set up Savannah Bauder for a try and conversion. A late USA error led to Williams’ second try, sealing a 19–7 win and a spot in the semifinals.
Scoring Summary: Charity Williams (2T), Savannah Bauder (1T, 1C), Olivia Apps (1C)
Day 1
Canada 41 Great Britain 7
Canada came out flying as Caroline Crossley returned the opening kickoff for a try, setting the tone early. The attack stayed sharp with Florence Symonds linking up with Breanne Nicholas, while strong teamwork led to further tries from Alysha Corrigan and Charity Williams to build a 22–0 lead. Great Britain added a late score, but Canada still took a commanding 22–5 advantage into halftime.
The momentum carried into the second half, with Williams adding another and Kennedi Stevenson breaking through for a long-range try. Savannah Bauder contributed with key conversions and capped the win with an interception try, sealing a dominant 41–7 victory and surpassing her 100th HSBC SVNS Series career point.
Scoring Summary: Caroline Crossley (1T), Breanne Nicholas (1T), Alysha Corrigan (1T), Charity Williams (2T), Kennedi Stevenson (1T), Savannah Bauder (1T, 3C)
Canada 31 South Africa 0
Canada cruised to a 31–0 win over South Africa with a clinical, team-first performance. Caroline Crossley set the tone early with an offload to Alysha Corrigan for the opening try, followed by a wide finish from Charity Williams and conversion by Olivia Apps. Breanne Nicholas’ tough carry and offload helped set up Corrigan’s second, while crisp ball movement led to a Florence Symonds try, marking her 100th career point in her HSBC SVNS Series career, giving Canada a commanding 24–0 halftime lead with another conversion by Apps.
The second half was controlled and defensive, with Canada maintaining pressure until a late South African error allowed Carmen Izyk to break through for the final try. Savannah Bauder converted to cap the shutout, sealing a composed and dominant 31–0 result.
Scoring Summary: Alysha Corrigan (2T), Charity Williams (1T), Florence Symonds (1T), Carmen Izyk (1T), Olivia Apps (2C), Savannah Bauder (1C)
WORDS FROM THE COACH
“Happy with day one and day two here in Hong Kong. The team is putting in very comprehensive performances from start to finish, which is a very tough thing to do in a world championship, and everyone is accepting the challenge of the standards being lifted,” said Jocelyn Barrieau, Head Coach. “Excellent performances all around great leadership from Olivia Apps and our levels. Wonderful contributions on attack and defence all around. It’s a very united group and that is able to have quite a bit of fun on and off field and we look forward to playing New Zealand tomorrow.”
CANADIAN MILESTONES
At the conclusion of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team’s pool play and quarter final matches, Savannah Bauder and Florence Symonds would both surpass the 100 HSBC SVNS Series career total points mark with 112 and 105 respectively.
NEXT UP FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS TEAM
Cup Semi-Finals
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs New Zealand
Saturday, April 18 at 10:14pm PT / Sunday, April 19 at 1:14am ET
Canada 2-0 on Day 1 of Hong Kong 7s: Face Australia on Day 2
Canada flexed on newly promoted South Africa and Great Britain who finished last in the SVNS 1 series. The real test will be on Day 2 when they face Australia. The top 2 teams in each pool go through to the quarter-finals plus the two best 3rd place teams. Canada are guaranteed a top 2 finish in Pool B, if they lose to Australia they’ll face the runner up in Pool C, USA or France. If they defeat Australia they’ll get an easier QF match against the best 3rd place team, possibly Fiji or Japan.
The return of Olivia Apps and Fancy Bermudez from XVs has had a positive impact and Caroline Crossley has played well in her return to the 7s squad. Kickoff for the Australia match is 8:07pm PT.
Canada 31 – South Africa 0
Scorers: Alysha Corrigan (2T), Charity Williams (1T), Florence Symonds (1T), Carmen Izyk (1T), Olivia Apps (2C), Savannah Bauder (1C)
Canada 41 – Great Britain 7
Scorers: Caroline Crossley (1T), Breanne Nicholas (1T), Alysha Corrigan (1T), Charity Williams (2T), Kennedi Stevenson (1T), Savannah Bauder (1T, 3C)
Small correction, both were injured in the NZ Match.