Men Lose to USA to Finish 7th/8th of 15 teams; Women Defeat Poland, Lose to Ireland to Finish 6th of 11 Teams: FULL MATCH VIDEOS
MEN’S TEAM
Canada lost to USA in the 5th place semi-final and ended up in a 7th/8th place tied with Ireland for 10 series points. South Africa won their 3rd straight tournament and remain top of the standings. Canada are in 11th place and closed the gap on Spain (10th) to one point and on Kenya (9th) to two points.
Canada will face Australia, Scotland and Kenya in Seville.
Cooper Coats was named as one of the poll selections for the tournament Dream Team, voting is here.
Canada 7 – USA 19
Cooper Coats 7′
WOMEN’S TEAM
Canada got a measure of redemption by beating Poland in their rematch. They then lost to Ireland in the 5th place playoff to finish 6th out of 11 teams. USA went on to win the tournament after Russia knocked Australia out in the semi-finals in an upset win. Australia remain top of the standings with Canada in 7th place. The series resumes next weekend in Seville.
Canada will face USA, England and Portugal in Seville.
Canada 26 v Poland 7 (5th place semi)
Olivia Apps 7′
Nakisa Levale 10′
Paige Farries 11′
Emma Chown 14′
Canada 5 v Ireland 26 (5th place final)
Olivia Apps 1′
*Men Defeat Wales to Reach Quarter-Finals, Face USA on Sunday; Women Lose to Poland, Get Rematch on Sunday: FULL MATCH VIDEOS*
MEN’S TEAM
The men’s team upped their intensity by several degrees on Saturday to earn their quarter-final spot. They defeated Wales 26-7 with several players standing out. Jake Thiel has fine tuned a unique style of play reminiscent of a basketball pivot player. He absorbs the contact and then offloads to support players using a variety of pop passes. He’s set up a number of tries this tournament. Alex Russell has been a terrier on Day 2, winning turnover ball and emptying the tank on every shift. Elias Ergas has stepped up on attack and backed himself to beat defenders. Josiah Morra is currently leading the DHL Impact Player stats.
Canada carried over that improved performance into their match against #1 South Africa. They held the champions scoreless in the first half and were unfortunate not to have the lead, with a referee’s misjudgement costing them a score. They face USA in the 5th place semi-final on Sunday (4:25am PT).
Canada 26 v Wales 7
Cooper Coats 2′
Theo Sauder 8′
Elias Ergas 11′
Josiah Morra 13′
Canada 0 v South Africa 14
WOMEN’S TEAM
The women continue to struggle, losing to Poland and backing their way into the quarter-finals by virtue of a bye win over the absent Fiji. The loss to Poland was a shocker, the team looked disjointed with key veteran players struggling to perform at a high level. Nakisa Levale was one of the few bright spots and she scored both of Canada’s tries. The injection of XVs players into the roster is not going well so far.
The game against Australia was one-sided with Australia leading 21-0 at the half. The Canadian women have a chance to redeem themselves when they face Poland again in the 5th place semi-final on Sunday (1:22am PT).
Canada 14 v Poland 17
Nakisa Levale 9′ & 11′
Canada 10 v Australia 33
Paige Farries 10′
Sabrina Poulin 14′
*Canada Men 1-1 After Day 1 – QF Berth Rides on Wales Match; Women Lose to USA – Face Poland Next: FULL MATCH VIDEOS*
Canada Men
The men defeated Kenya 19-17, they looked good in the first half going up 19-5 but faded badly in the second half to hang on for the win. It has been a problem for them this season, putting in the second half performance.
In the France match they were overwhelmed physically and were never in the match, France going up 17-5 in the first half and then running away with it, 38-5 in the second half. It was concerning how easily they were pushed off the rucks on their own ball, introducing some wrestling/grappling skills into their training would improve that part of their game. It all comes down to the match vs Wales on Day 2, the winner moving into the Quarter-Finals.
Canada v Kenya
Cooper Coats 4′
Josiah Morra 6′
Alex Russell 9′
Canada v France
Phil Berna 8′
Canada Women
The women were dominated by USA, again the physicality isn’t there for the women. It’s going to be a long, hard road to get the program back to where John Tait had it as #3 in the world. USA went up 22-0 with Canada getting a consolation try at the whistle. Canada play Poland next and should get a walk in to the Quarter-Finals with the Fiji game credited as an automatic win. Canada are almost guaranteed a 2nd place finish in Pool B and will face 2nd place in Pool C which will be the loser of France v Russia.
Canada v USA
*Canadian Teams Named for Malaga Sevens: Kickoff Early Friday Morning for BC Viewers: UPDATE ON ROSTERS*
[Update: Elissa Alarie and Flo Symonds are out due to injury, in are Fancy Burmudez and Alex Tessier.]
The tournament won’t be the easiest to watch live in BC as Canada’s pool games start at 2:22am PT (men) and 0:44am (women) early Friday morning. CBC Sports usually have the Canada games archived within a few hours after they’re played.
The men’s team has Phil Berna back from injury and he captains the team. Jake Thiel is also back from injury. Noah Bain gets his first cap for the national team.
The women’s team have veterans Karen Paquin and Elissa Alarie in the squad, Breanne Nicholas will captain the side. Paige Farries comes over from the XVs squad. Renee Gonzalez, the upcoming speedster, is on the injured list.
The men have a tough pool schedule with Kenya, France and Wales. The women have had a bit of fortune with NZ and Fiji dropping out of their pool. Poland replaced NZ and the Fiji match will be a bye.
Men’s Schedule
Kenya v Canada 2:22am PT – Friday
France v Canada 7:28am PT – Friday
Canada v Wales 2:27am PT – Saturday
Women’s Schedule
Canada v USA 0:44am PT – Friday
Canada v Fiji bye (Fiji dropped out)
Canada v Poland 0:44am PT – Saturday
Men’s Roster
1. Theo Sauder (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
2. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
3. Nick Allen (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds
5. Alex Russell (Chinchester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) Toronto Saracens
7. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) – Okanagan RFC
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC
9. Sion Griffiths (Mill Bay, BC) – Cowichan RFC
10. Noah Bain (Abbotsford, BC) – UVic Vikes
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) UBC Thunderbirds
12. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
13. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride
Women’s Roster (updated based on injuries)
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish
2. Alysha Corrigan (Charlettetown, PEI) – CRFC
3. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish/University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – London St. Georges
5. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
6. Emma Chown (Barrie, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
7. Sabrina Poulin (St. Georges de Beauce) – Town of Mount Royal Rugby
8. Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
9. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC
10. Karen Paquin (La Ville de Quebec, QC) – Club de Rugby de Quebec/Stade Bordelais
11. Elissa Alarie (Trois-rivieres, QC) – Westshore RFC/ Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC/Braves de Trois-Riviéres
11. Fancy Bermudez
12. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – RC Maple Leafs Academy/Queen’s University
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
13. Alex Tessier
from Rugby Canada
MEN’S TEAM
January 18, 2022 (Malaga, Spain) – Canadas Senior Mens Sevens team returns to action this Friday at the HSBC Spain Sevens in Malaga for the second stop of the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Sixteen mens teams will compete over three days, beginning January 21 and concluding January 23.
Presented by Velocity Trade, Canadas roster will be bolstered by the return of captain Phil Berna, absent from Canadas Dubai lineup due to injury. Teammate and Vice-Captain Jake Thiel will also return from injury sustained in Dubai.
Canadas Spain roster includes young talent in the form of Mill Bays Sion Griffiths and Abbotsfords Noah Bainboth players could make their Sevens Series debuts. Additionally, 2021 HSBC Canada Sevens debutants Anton Ngongo, Matt Oworu and Alex Russell will all head to Spain for their first taste of international sevens competition.
Our entire team is fortunate and thankful to be able to continue to compete on the Sevens circuit given the current circumstances that everyone is facing at the moment, said Canada head coach Henry Paul. We are excited to return to action with some new and familiar faces as we continue to develop young talent and welcome back a couple of players returning from injury. Every player is relishing the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage.
MENS SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
Canadas Mens Squad has been drawn into Pool D alongside Kenya, France and Wales. 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. CBC will air TV coverage of this weekend’s tournament on Saturday, January 22 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
CANADAS MENS HSBC SPAIN SEVENS ROSTER
1. Theo Sauder (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
2. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
3. Nick Allen (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds
5. Alex Russell (Chinchester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) Toronto Saracens
7. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) – Okanagan RFC
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC
9. Sion Griffiths (Mill Bay, BC) – Cowichan RFC
10. Noah Bain (Abbotsford, BC) – UVic Vikes
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) UBC Thunderbirds
12. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
13. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS
Brennig Prevost
Brock Webster
Giovani Douyon
Jarvis Dashkewytch
Lachlan Kratz
Pat Kay
David Richard
Isaac Olson
Lucas Scheck
PARTICIPATING IN OTHER RUGBY COMPETITIONS
Andrew Coe – Rugby United New York
Cody Nhanala – Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride
DShawn Bowen – Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride
WOMEN’S TEAM
January 18, 2022 (Malaga, Spain) – Canadas Senior Womens Sevens team return to action this Friday at the HSBC Spain Sevens, Malaga for the second stop of the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Eleven womens teams will compete for the Spain Sevens title, beginning January 21 and concluding January 23.
Presented by Velocity Trade, Canadas lineup will see the return of veteran Karen Paquin to the Sevens squad. Paquin has been a staple across both Canadas 15s and 7s teams in recent months, as well as being named to the Barbarians Women’s invitational all-star squad this past November. Veteran Paige Farries will also return to the Sevens squad for their upcoming tournament. Farries most recently featured for Canada during the Senior Womens 2021 Fall Tour and currently plays professionally with Englands Worcester Warriors. Ontarios Breanne Nicholas will once again captain the Canadian side and will look to emulate her offensive output from Dubai where she led Canada with 31 points scored.
Nineteen year-old Florence Symonds and teammate Alysha Corrigan are both expected to make their International HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debuts, with interim head coach Jack Hanratty also injecting some youthful talent into his lineup in the form of 18-year-old Chloe Daniels.
The players and staff are extremely aware of how fortunate we are to be able to compete in this weekends event, said Hanratty. We had a weeklong preparation camp in Spain which was a great way to prepare for the tournament and get some much needed training together. We were able to see new combinations in Dubai and we are excited to see some of those combinations continue to grow, while also growing our depth chart as the program heads towards a busy and exciting summer.
WOMENS SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
Canadas Womens Squad has been drawn into Pool B alongside USA, Fiji and Poland. With Fijis women’s team currently unable to travel to Malaga and unable to be replaced at this late stage, Canada, USA and Poland will receive three match points for a bye and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for scheduled games against Fiji.
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. CBC will air television coverage of HSBC Sevens Spain on January 22 at 1:00pm ET, as well as 1:00pm local on Sunday, January 23.
CANADAS WOMENS SEVENS SPAIN ROSTER
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish
2. Alysha Corrigan (Charlettetown, PEI) – CRFC
3. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish/University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – London St. Georges
5. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
6. Emma Chown (Barrie, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
7. Sabrina Poulin (St. Georges de Beauce) – Town of Mount Royal Rugby
8. Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
9. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC
10. Karen Paquin (La Ville de Quebec, QC) – Club de Rugby de Quebec/Stade Bordelais
11. Elissa Alarie (Trois-rivieres, QC) – Westshore RFC/ Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC/Braves de Trois-Riviéres
12. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) – RC Maple Leafs Academy/Queen’s University
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY
Keyara Wardley
Julia Greenshields
Charity Williams