Canada Finish 4th at Olympic Qualifier
The Canadian men will not be going to the Olympics, they lost to South Africa in the semi-finals 28-0 and then to Spain in the 3rd/4th place match 31-14. South Africa and Great Britain are playing in the final to determine the one Olympic qualifying spot. Canada did win their quarter-final match against Chile 24-19.
Canada Defeat China, Lose to Great Britain, Face Chile in Quarter-Finals
Canada defeated China 33-14 in pool play before losing to Great Britain 17-12 to finish 2nd in the pool. That gives Canada a quarter-final matchup against Chile in the quarter-finals.
It’s a win or be eliminated scenario for Canada now. The other quarter-finals pit tournament favourites South Africa against Uganda, Great Britain vs Tonga and Spain vs Hong Kong.
Canada Defeat Uganda in Opening Round of Olympic Repechage
Canada broke their 29 game losing streak at an important time, winning their opening match over Uganda 31-12, in the Olympic Rugby 7s repechage. The other pool match saw Great Britain defeat China 35-19. Canada play China next then Great Britain to finish the pool round. The teams are then seeded 1 to 8 for the quarter-finals with a 1 v 8, 2 v 7, etc. format. Canada should make it to the semi-finals which is where the tough work begins.
Opening the World Rugby Sevens Repechage with a win over Uganda
Next for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team Pool play match vs China
⏰ 3:04am PT / 6:04am ET (June 22)
Watch live on RugbyPass TV#RugbyCA | #OneSquad pic.twitter.com/MfvzEHuI4j— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) June 21, 2024
Matt Oworu goes crashing over for @RugbyCanada #SevensRepechage pic.twitter.com/iCCu9ZuE1K
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) June 21, 2024
Canada Name Team for Olympic Rugby 7s Repechage Tournament: June 21-23
Coach Sean White has made three changes to the squad that played at the Madrid 7s. Missing are David Richard, Cody Nhanala, Matt Percillier, Liam Bowman, in are Alex Russell, Ethan Hager, Henry Kirwan. The team lists 12 players instead of the normal 13 that travel on the series.
The tournament kicks off for Canada on Friday, June 21st at 6:28am PT against Uganda.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team’s roster for the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Repechage, the final qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been announced by Head Coach Sean White.
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will compete in Pool B along with Uganda, China and Great Britain over June 21 to 23 at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Pool play will be contested over June 21 and 22, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals set for June 23. The winner of the final will claim the one remaining berth for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Phil Berna captains the team, which sees the return of Alex Russell, Ethan Hager and Henry Kirwan. The squad also features Canada’s points leaders from the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series, Jack Carson and Cooper Coats. Carson was recently named the winner of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Men’s Try of the Series award for a highlight-reel score involving Berna and Kal Sager against Argentina.
“With some assistance from funding partners alongside Rugby Canada funding, we were able to remain in Europe following the Madrid tournament, entering an intensive training block to prepare for Monaco, with additional players and staff members joining us in Roquebilliere, France to complete our training group,” said Sean White, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team.
“As difficult as it has been, this group has turned the page on Madrid and has a sole focus on the task at hand. The goal is 1-0. Game by game. Moment by moment. Remaining present and steadfast on what our strengths are as individuals and how they contribute to the collective will be key for our success. We are aware of the challenges we will face and are ready to conquer them as they arise.”
The Olympic pools will be announced at the conclusion of the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, with rugby sevens set to kick off Paris 2024 at Stade de France, starting with the men’s competition on July 24.
POOL PLAY SCHEDULE
Friday June 21
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Uganda
6:28 am PT / 9:28 am ET / 3:28 pm local time
Saturday June 22
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs China
3:28 am PT / 6:28 am ET / 12:28 pm local time
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Great Britain
10:08 am PT / 1:08 pm ET / 7:08 pm local time
MORE INFO
More information on the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, including the schedule and results, can be found on the World Rugby website here.
CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
15. Ethan Hager (Brantford, ON) – Brantford Harlequins
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
28. Henry Kirwan (Brighton, ENG) – Brighton Blues / Cardiff Metropolitan University
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues / University of Ottawa
77. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Pacific Pride
99. Jack Carson (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia