Women Finish 4th in Madrid; Men Relegated from Series
It was a sad day for the men’s 7s program as they lost to Spain 22-14 in the promotion/relegation game and they are out of the series for next year. We’ll cover the ramifications of that in an editorial during the week. Remaining on the series next year are Spain, Uruguay, USA and Kenya. The men now focus on the Olympic qualifier later this month.
The women lost both of their games on Day 3, first to France 19-17 in the semi-final and to NZ 26-14 in the 3rd/4th match. The women claim a credible 4th place finish on the series and look towards the Olympics next.
France claimed the men’s title and Australia won the women’s title.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team finished fourth overall at the 2024 HSBC SVNS Grand Final, meeting New Zealand for a second time in as many days in the third place play-off at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team lost to Spain in the Challenger Play-offs and has not qualified for the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team faced France in the semi-finals, with Seraphine Okemba putting the French up early. Florence Symonds responded for Canada, her try not converted, to put the score at 7-5. A second Okemba try followed, with Yolaine Yengo scoring in the final minute of the first half to give France a 19-5 lead. Canada rallied back in the second half, with tries from Keyara Wardley (her fifth of the tournament) and Asia Hogan-Rochester, converted by Olivia Apps. Canada fought through to the final whistle, but was unable to add to their score, with France taking the win 19-17, setting up a rematch between Canada and New Zealand.
The third place play-off started with Charity Williams scoring her 99th world series try, dodging New Zealand’s defence with a great run down the field, her try converted by Chloe Daniels. New Zealand responded in kind, tying the match 7-7, with a second New Zealand try in the final minute of the first half giving them a 12-7 lead. The Black Ferns Sevens scored early in the second half to go up 19-7, which was followed by a try from Olivia Apps off a pass from Alysha Corrigan, with Daniels converting once again. New Zealand secured a 26-14 victory with a final try in the thirteenth minute, with Canada finishing fourth overall.
“All in all, this is a really positive weekend. This was the year of firsts and with beating New Zealand we’ve now managed and registered wins against every team on the world series this year. In Grand Finals you only play the best, and with us not starting the competition well against our North American rivals the USA, we made it difficult for ourselves, but had incredible composure, resilience and determination to get two wins against two top sides in Great Britain and of course the historical one against New Zealand [in pool play],” said Jack Hanratty, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team.
“The France game will be the one that got away. We really felt we had enough to beat France but they’re a ferocious side and we just didn’t captivate on our opportunities and gave them a little bit too much. To be able to compete with New Zealand again was really important. We get to go home now really confident as we build for Paris. The hardest part now is to make our squad, which has been so robust this year, a little built smaller going into the crucial selection time over the next few weeks.”
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will now continue preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the women’s rugby sevens competition set to kick off at Stade de France on July 28. Further information on how to follow Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team at the Olympics will be released by World Rugby and Rugby Canada in the coming weeks.
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team faced the host nation, Spain, in the Challenger Play-off, a winner-takes-all match to determine one of the four teams to qualify for the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series.
Spain held a 10-0 lead after five minutes, with the majority of the play in Canada’s end. Josiah Morra got Canada on the board in the seventh minute, cutting through the Spanish defence and touching the ball down between the uprights. A conversion from Cooper Coats closed the gap to 10-7 for Spain. Juan Ramos scored his second of the game in the final minute of the first half however, giving Spain a 17-7 lead at half-time. A yellow card to Spain in the ninth minute gave Canada a scrum at Spain’s five-metre line, with Coats scoring immediately, converting his own try to bring the score to 17-14. With the pressure on for both sides as the clock ticked down, Spain scored once more, securing a 22-14 victory.
“Obviously we’re gutted that we didn’t get the job done. Personally, I’m gutted for the players that sacrificed so much of their time and effort and deserve so much more than what they got today. I’m gutted that their family and friends don’t get to watch them play on the world series next year. I’m gutted for the next wave of young Canadian rugby players who don’t get to see their team play on the world series,” said Sean White, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team.
“In the upcoming days, we’ll flip our mindsets to Monaco. We’ll do all we can to prepare for that tournament, put the best product on the field that we can, and try to make amends to what we did here in Madrid. It hurts a lot. We’ve got to move on, we still have another job to do.”
The focus for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team now shifts to the World Rugby Sevens Repechage to look to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Taking place over June 21 to 23 in Monaco, the tournament will see 12 men’s teams competing for the final remaining Olympic berth. Canada will compete in Pool B with Great Britain, Uganda and China, with the full schedule to be released by World Rugby shortly.
Canadian Women Reach Final Four in Madrid; Men to Face Spain in Promotion/Relegation Match
A superb effort by the Canadian women, missing some top players, saw them upset NZ in pool play and then defeat Great Britain to finish top of the pool despite losing their first game against USA yesterday. Canada defeated NZ 26-17, scoring the first four tries then holding on as NZ stormed back with three in the second half. Scoring for Canada were Charity Williams, Olivia Apps, Piper Logan and Keyara Wardley. Canada then defeated GB 22-17 to claim top spot in the pool and a match against France in the championship semi-final. The work of the two players that recently returned from XVs, Fancy Bermudez and Olivia Apps, has helped the team to reach that next level.
Meanwhile the woes for the men continue, they lost their final pool match to USA 14-7 to extend their losing streak on the series to 28 consecutive games. They have one chance to redeem themselves tomorrow when they take on the home team, Spain, in a winner take all promotion/relegation match.
Women Canada v France semi-final 2:57am PT
Men Canada v Spain promotion/relegation 9:08am PT
Fancy Bermudez that is ridiculous #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSMAD pic.twitter.com/njVJaslGoN
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) June 1, 2024
Canada Men 0-2 on Day 1, Women 0-1; Men Lose Oworu to Red Card
It was a disastrous start for the Canadian men as Matt Oworu picked up a red card a minute into their first match against Uruguay. They had to play the full game down a player plus lost Oworu to a 3 game suspension. Uruguay won the match 41-7.
Canada men lost their second match to Germany 19-14. Canada were ahead with time expired but couldn’t make a tackle along the sideline and Germany scored a break away try to win. Canada will likely finish last in their pool and face the top team in the other pool in a one off qualifying match on Sunday. Canada’s opponent in that final match will likely by Kenya or Spain.
The women lost their opening match 26-19 to USA. They face NZ and Great Britain on Day 2.
Canada Coaches Name Teams for Madrid 7s: Women in Championship Tournament, Men in Challenger Tournament; Challenger Tournament Overview
World Rugby calls it the Challenger tournament but in reality it’s the relegation tournament, finish bottom four and you’re out for next season. At first glance it seemed as if the top 2 in each pool would win promotion but the latest World Rugby news release seems to indicate the teams will be ranked 1 to 8 on the last day and the winner of each match will gain promotion, the losers say good-bye to next season on the series.
From World Rugby: “Meanwhile the promotion and relegation Play Off competition will see a further eight men’s and women’s teams playing for their HSBC SVNS status as the Qualifier final matches on Sunday are set to provide rugby sevens fans with a feast of excitement, jeopardy and high drama.”
If that’s the case then the pool matches become less important, lose all your games and upset the #1 and in you’re in, conversely win all your pool matches and get upset in the final match and you’re out. It becomes just as important to avoid injuries and suspensions in the pool rounds than it is to win games since promotion is just based on one match. Player management becomes very important in this scenario, all the teams in the Challenger tournament are capable of creating an upset in one final, winner takes all match.
The men’s team sees the return of Cooper Coats, Jack Carson, Matthew Percillier and Cody Nhanala however Brock Webster is missing, he was one of Canada’s top players in Singapore. Also missing is Alex Russell.
The women’s team are missing Sophie de Goede, Carissa Norsten and Krissy Scurfield, several of their top players, who will hopefully be ready for the Olympics in July.
Canada’s matches kick off at 3:44am on Friday, May 31st.
from Rugby Canada
CANADA’S SEVENS ROSTERS NAMED FOR 2024 HSBC SVNS SEASON CONCLUSION IN MADRID
Head Coaches Jack Hanratty and Sean White have named their rosters ahead of the final stop of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series, which kicks off on May 31 at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team is one of the top eight teams competing in the Grand Final’s winner-takes-all series that will crown the 2024 SVNS Champions, with Canada meeting New Zealand, Great Britain and the USA in Pool A after finishing the regular season in fifth.
Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez and Madison Grant return to the squad following a history-making victory with Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team against New Zealand to win the 2024 Pacific Four Series. The team also sees Asia Hogan-Rochester and Florence Symonds return following recovery from injury.
“Our squad has had the Grand Final circled on our calendars all season. It’s going to be a weekend of tough, quality competition with the best in the world, which is exactly what we want,” said Jack Hanratty, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. “The buy in and unrelenting dedication of all the players in our program, as well as continued learning throughout the season from our highs and our lows, have been key to getting us to where we are, with our team continuing to aim higher and higher. In Madrid we look to put forward another performance that we are proud of and to continue to establish ourselves amongst the top nations.”
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team is one of the bottom four teams from the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series that will meet the top four teams from the HSBC Sevens Challenger Series in a promotion and relegation play-off to compete for one of four spots in the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series. Canada will play the USA, Uruguay and Germany in pool play, which will be followed by winner-takes-all play-off matches.
Returning to the squad following recovery from injury are Cooper Coats, Jack Carson, Matthew Percillier and Cody Nhanala.
“Where we gain our confidence as a group is in the effort level and attention to detail that we put into training each day in Langford,” said Sean White, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team. “There’s no hiding from the challenges this group has faced over the season, and no excuses will be made for where we currently stand. Our goal remains simple, go into Madrid in the top 12 and leave in the top 12. We’re confident that the sacrifices and commitment the players have put in over these past few months and the lessons we’ve learned throughout the season will be part of our success in Madrid. We’re marching towards the pressure shields up and spears out.”
HSBC SVNS Madrid will be the final tournament before Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team departs for the Paris 2024 Olympics in July and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team for the final Olympic qualification tournament in Monaco in June.
MADRID POOL PLAY SCHEDULE
Friday May 31
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Uruguay
3:44 am PT / 6:44 am ET / 12:44 pm local time
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Germany
6:50 am PT / 9:50 am ET / 3:50 pm local time
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs USA
9:19 am PT / 12:19 pm ET / 6:19 pm local time
Saturday June 1
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs USA
5:37 am PT / 8:37 am ET / 2:37 pm local time
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs New Zealand
8:03 am PT / 11:03 am ET / 5:03 pm local time
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Great Britain
11:11 am PT / 2:11 pm ET / 8:11 pm local time
MORE INFO
For the most up to date information on the HSBC SVNS Series and live coverage, including details on the event format, the schedule, standings, and the latest news, visit the official website: www.svns.com.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS ROSTER
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) – University of British Columbia
9. Madison Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – NorWester Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
11. Piper Logan (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Hornets / University of British Columbia
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB) – Unaffiliated
16. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
23. Shalaya Valenzuela (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
24. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads RFC / Westshore RFC
35. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
40. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
77. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues RFC
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
27. Liam Bowman (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
59. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Ospreys / Pacific Pride
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues / University of Ottawa
77. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Pacific Pride
88. Matt Percillier (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia
99. Jack Carson (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia
from World Rugby
Match schedule confirmed for historic HSBC SVNS in Madrid
The match schedule has today been announced for the highly anticipated inaugural HSBC SVNS Grand Final and promotion and relegation Play Off events in Madrid on 31 May – 2 June
- Match schedule announced for HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Final and Play Off events at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on 31 May to 2 June
- The inaugural winner takes all events will see the best 32 men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams in the world competing over three action-packed days to become SVNS Champions or earn their place in SVNS 2025
- Festival atmosphere with live music, entertainment, beach club next level experiences, and global food offerings
- Last opportunity to see Olympic teams ahead of Paris 2024 Games, with France superstar Antoine Dupont expected to play
- Tickets are available from 10 Euros at svns.com
The match schedule has today been announced for the highly anticipated inaugural HSBC SVNS Grand Final and promotion and relegation Play Off events in Madrid on 31 May – 2 June.
The schedule was unveiled during an event hosted by Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, President of the Supreme Council for Sports, Spain to officially welcome the HSBC SVNS to Madrid ahead of the three day event at the iconic Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.
There will be more to play for than ever before in the history of international rugby sevens on the pitch, while fans will be treated to a festival of music, food and entertainment around the venue.
The action will be intense from start to finish with World Rugby’s new winner takes all Grand Final format featuring only the top eight men’s and women’s teams set to crown the first ever SVNS Champions.
Meanwhile the promotion and relegation Play Off competition will see a further eight men’s and women’s teams playing for their HSBC SVNS status as the Qualifier final matches on Sunday are set to provide rugby sevens fans with a feast of excitement, jeopardy and high drama.
Under the new HSBC SVNS 2024 model, seven regular-season events took place, which resulted in Argentina and New Zealand being acclaimed men’s and women’s league winners respectively at HSBC SVNS Singapore in May before the new standalone Grand Final in Madrid.
The top eight men’s and women’s teams based on cumulative SVNS points at the conclusion of the seventh round in Singapore secured their place in the Grand Final.
The HSBC SVNS Grand Final pools see men’s 2024 League Winners Argentina in Pool A together with Australia, France and Great Britain. League runners up Ireland are in Pool B alongside 2023 Series winners New Zealand, double Olympic Champions Fiji and South Africa.
Meanwhile in the women’s Grand Final fans can look forward to seeing arch rivals Australia and New Zealand do battle along with the likes of reigning Olympic silver medallists France and Ireland who won the Perth SVNS title in January.
Reigning Olympic and Series champions New Zealand are in Pool A with the USA, Canada and Great Britain, while Australia, France, Fiji and Ireland are in a very competitive looking Pool B.
The newly introduced high-stakes promotion and relegation play-off competition will take place simultaneously in Madrid with teams ranked ninth to twelfth in SVNS 2024 competing with the top four teams from the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024.
The competition format involves two pools of four teams to decide who plays who in the all-important play off matches on Sunday, with the winners of the resulting four cross-over matches securing their place in HSBC SVNS 2025, while the losing teams will enter the regional qualification pathway for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025.
Both Spain’s men’s and women’s teams are in HSBC SVNS Play Off action in Madrid and will be looking to call upon home support to help maintain their HSBC SVNS status.
The men’s Play Off pools see the USA in Pool A with Canada, Germany and Uruguay – who arrive fresh from being crowned Challenger champions earlier this month in Munich. Hosts Spain are in Pool B where they will face Samoa, Kenya and Chile.
The women’s Play Off pools see Spain in Pool A against Japan, Poland and China – who wrapped up a clean sweep of victories to take the Sevens Challenger title in Krakow earlier this month. South American rivals Brazil and Argentina are in Pool B together with South Africa and Belgium.
The three-day event kicks off at 12:00 local time (GMT+2) on Friday 31 May, with Spain men facing Kenya in the last match of day one at 21:18. Pool play continues throughout day two, which also kicks of at 12:00 before the action reaches it’s climax with finals day on Sunday 2 June when play begins at 10:05 and reaches it’s finale with the HSBC SVNS championship finals at 19:49 and 20:26.
With rugby sevens kicking off the Olympic Games in Paris on 24 July, Madrid represents the last stop on the road to the Paris for the teams already qualified and it is anticipated that former World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Antoine Dupont will rejoin the France squad in Madrid, following his sensational impact at the recent SVNS events in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
While best 36 men’s and women’s teams in the world will showcase the speed, skill and all-action drama of rugby sevens while a pumping music and entertainment line-up will create a buzzing festival atmosphere over three fun-filled, sun-soaked days at the iconic Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.
Away from the pitch the hugely popular SVNS beach club will see DJs keep the energy high with a mix of dance floor fillers and classic anthems. The sounds of HSBC SVNS in Madrid will include popular local DJ Luc Loren, and live acts including Ptazeta and Chanel.
7 THINGS NOT TO MISS AT HSBC SVNS MADRID >>
For those seeking a more premium and exclusive setting, the new next level hospitality experiences including The Sun Room feature premium food and drink, a full programme of fun and entertainment in private lounges and the best seats in the house to see all the non-stop action.
World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder said: “Today’s announcement of the match schedule for HSBC SVNS Madrid marks another exciting step towards what promises to be a historic and unforgettable three days of rugby sevens entertainment on and off the pitch.
“We are continually looking to innovate and evolve in a competitive sports market place and the inaugural HSBC SVNS Grand Final and Play Off promises greater jeopardy, excitement and drama with more at stake than ever before in a single international rugby sevens event.
“Our thanks and gratitude to all stakeholders, especially our title partner HSBC and the city of Madrid, who will undoubtedly be world class hosts. The players and teams are looking forward to showcasing the very best of international rugby sevens in an iconic modern stadium with a festival atmosphere.”