Canada Win Shield at London 7s – Stay 3 Points Ahead of Relegation Zone: Full Match Videos
Canada finished the tournament in 13th place but more importantly finished ahead of Wales and Japan in the relegation zone. Canada are now 3 points ahead of Wales, four points if the adjustment is made for dropping the two worst results which is allowed this season. It’s all to play for in LA in August however and Canada need a big performance to stay in the series.
Canada started Day 2 with a loss to Argentina, then squeaked out a win against Wales before a more comfortable win against Japan.
The LA tournament is 3 months away, injured players like Josiah Morra and D’Shawn Bowen may be ready to vie for a place back on the roster. Canada are in a tough pool in LA with NZ, SA and USA. Wales are in with Fiji, Ireland, France and Japan are in with Australia, Spain, Argentina. It will likely again come down to Day 2 performance and the contest for the 9th place Bowl Final.
Points – Adjusted Points
Kenya 38 – 36
Canada 34 – 32
Wales 31 – 28
Japan 26 – 23
Canada 7 v Argentina 28
Alex Russell 5′
Canada 22 v Wales 21
Brock Webster 3′
Phil Berna 8′
Alex Russell 10′
Lockie Kratz 12′
Canada 26 v Japan 19
Cooper Coats 2′
Phil Berna 6′
Jake Thiel 9′
Matt Oworu 11′
*Canada 0-3 on Day 1 of London 7s: Face Argentina on Day 2 in 9th Place Quarter-Final – Full Match Videos*
Canada got close to a win in their first match but it became more difficult as the day continued. They’ll face Argentina in the 9th place quarter-final. The teams they’re battling to avoid relegation are also in the 9th place quarter-finals. Japan face USA, Kenya face France, and Wales face Scotland. If the higher ranked teams win all those match ups it will come down to an important Canada v Wales match in the 13th place semi-final. If Canada can duplicate their Toulouse 7s win against Argentina, it will go a long way to securing their place in the series. That match takes place at 02:36 PT.
Canada’s coaches decided to play the same seven starters every match with the subs being brought in at various times during the second half. In the last match against NZ it was the reserve players who accounted for all of Canada’s scoring.
Canada 14 – France 19
Elias Ergas 1′
Alex Russell 7′
Canada 5 – Australia 26
Anton Ngongo 8′
Canada 14 – NZ 40
Nicholas Allen 12′
Thomas Isherwood 13′
*Canada Men’s Series Future on the Line With Two Tournaments Remaining: London 7s This Weekend*
It’s crunch time for the men’s 7s program. Two teams will be relegated from the series this season with two tournaments left. Currently Japan occupy the first relegation spot with 25 points, Wales occupy the second spot with 31 points but Canada are teetering on the edge with 32 points. The teams will be able to drop their two worst tournaments. The adjusted points right now would see Japan at 22 points, Wales at 26 points, Canada 30 points, Scotland 32 points, Kenya 36 points. It’s all to play for now and Canada can’t afford another 1 point tournament.
It’s a tough draw though with NZ, Australia and France in Canada’s pool. Canada, on current form, will be hard pressed to make the Cup quarter-finals. Day 2 of the tournament may be the most important for Canada as they battle for points in the Challenge round, but as they say, anything is possible in a 14 minute match of 7s.
Canada’s first match is against France at 01:32 PT early Saturday morning, their second match is against Australia at 04:16 PT and finishing off Day 1 against NZ at 07:24 PT.
from Rugby Canada
May 25, 2022 (Langford, BC) Canadas Senior Mens Sevens roster, presented by Velocity Trade, has been named for the HSBC London Sevens (May 28-29).
?Head Coach Henry Paul has selected an unchanged squad from the HSBC France Sevens which took place last weekend. The likes of Brennig Prevost, David Richard and Alex Russell all retain their places after returning to action in Toulouse following minor injuries. Lachlan Kratz also keeps his spot on the roster having replaced the injured DShawn Bowen ahead of the France Sevens.
The London Sevens, being hosted at Twickenham Stadium, is the penultimate stop on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series ahead of the season-ending Los Angeles Sevens in August. Canadas Senior Mens Sevens team sits 14th in the standings on 32 points.
We head to London with plenty to play for this upcoming weekend as we aim to improve our place in the standings, Paul said. Its a huge positive that we go into this event without any significant injuries, knock wood, on the back of last weekends hot and humid France Sevens in Toulouse. With two tournaments left on the series calendar, our group of players will give its all to finish strongly.
MENS SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
For full coverage of this weekends action, visit the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series website HERE for the most up to date information, scores, stats and schedule updates.
WHERE TO WATCH
Broadcast coverage of the HSBC Sevens Series will be available in Canada via CBC. All events are available to live stream via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app and the free CBC Gem streaming service.
CANADAS MENS SEVENS HSBC LONDON SEVENS ROSTER
1. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers
2. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) Abbotsford RFC
3. Nick Allen (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
7. Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) Oshawa Vikings RFC
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) Halifax Tars
9. Brennig Prevost (Victoria, BC) University of Victoria
10. Lachlan Kratz (Victoria, BC) NOLA Gold
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) University of British Columbia
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) Mississauga Blues RFC
13. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS
DShawn Bowen
Noah Bain
Josiah Morra
Siôn Griffiths