Canada Men End 7s Season with 5th Place Finish in São Paulo: 6th Overall in SVNS 2 Series
Canada’s men’s 7s team have ended their season with a 5th place finish in São Paulo. They finished 6th overall in the six team SVNS 2 series, the top four teams advance to the SVNS Championship series. The teams advancing are USA, Germany, Kenya, Uruguay. Canada only won two matches over 15 games in the three tournament series.
Canada made several player changes between the Montevideo tournament and São Paulo but the changes didn’t have an impact. Elias Hancock, Kal Sager and Jesse Kilgour were absent from São Paulo and added in were Johnny Franklin and D’Shawn Bowen.
There will likely be a review of the program now covering funding, player development, talent ID/selection, coaching staff. We understand there’s a review of the Pacific Pride program as well being undertaken, so there may be some overlap in those reviews. We’ll take a look at the Pacific Pride season and program in a separate article next week.
from Rugby Canada on Day 2
After opening losses to Uruguay, the United States, and Kenya on day one of HSBC SVNS 2 São Paulo, Canada struck back on day two with a win over Germany before falling to Belgium. The result means Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team misses out on qualification for the HSBC SVNS World Championship and will begin the 2027 season in regional competition.
Canada 26 Germany 21
Canada opened the scoring as Isherwood chipped ahead for Lockie Kratz, whose 10m out the back offload set up Kyle Tremblay to finish. Germany responded quickly, with Eichholz breaking through Canada’s defense to score from halfway.
Germany was then reduced to six players following an intentional knock-on, and Canada capitalized. A wide skip pass sent Tremblay down the sideline before he offloaded to Johnny Franklin for a try under the posts, converted by Kratz. Canada struck again with the extra man, as Kratz released Ethan Turner down the wing to score, adding the conversion for a 19–7 halftime lead.
Canada extended their advantage early in the second half when Kratz gathered a loose ball and set up Ian Jones under the posts, with Isherwood converting. Strong Canadian defense kept Germany pinned deep for much of the half.
Germany found late momentum, with Koch scoring in the dying moments. After Canada were reduced to six players for an intentional knock-on, Koch added another to try to close the gap.
Canada held on to secure a 26–21 victory.
Scoring Summary: Kyle Tremblay (1T), Johnny Franklin (1T), Ethan Turner (1T), Ian Jones (1T), Lockie Kratz (2C), Thomas Isherwood (1C)
Canada 29 Belgium 33
Canada opened the scoring through Johnny Franklin, who sliced through the middle to touch down under the posts, with Lockie Kratz converting. Canada regained the restart, but a turnover allowed Belgium to respond quickly through Berger. Another breakdown loss proved costly, as Godsmark added a second to give Belgium the lead.
Canada answered with strong carries from D’Shawn Bowen and sharp playmaking from Isherwood, creating space for Morgan Di Nardo to finish in the corner. Belgium led 14–12 at halftime.
Canada struck early in the second half, as Isherwood forced a turnover and Bowen finished out wide. Momentum continued when Kratz released Ethan Turner down the edge for another score.
Belgium responded through Marenne, before Lalli’s second try put them five points ahead late in the second. A clever grubber from the restart caught Canada off guard, and Godsmark capitalized to extend the lead.
In the final play, Di Nardo sparked a counterattack from the restart, with quick offloads leading to Bowen diving over to close out the match.
Belgium held on for a 33–29 victory.
Scoring Summary: Johnny Franklin (1T), Morgan Di Nardo (1T), D’Shawn Bowen (2T), Ethan Turner (1T), Lockie Kratz (2C)
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM
With only one win in São Paulo, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team misses out on qualification for the HSBC SVNS World Championship and will begin the 2027 season in regional competition.
That tournament will act as a qualifier for HSBC SVNS Division III. The top two teams from Division III will qualify for Division II. The top four teams from Division II will then earn a spot in the 12-team HSBC SVNS World Championship.
from Rugby Canada on Day 1
Isherwood makes 40th HSBC SVNS tournament appearance as Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team conclude day one of competition at HSBC SVNS 2 São Paulo with losses to Uruguay, USA, and Kenya.
Up next Canada will face Germany at 7:22am PT / 10:22am ET and Belgium at 10:12am PT / 1:12pm ET on Sunday, March 29.
HSBC SVNS 2 is played in a five-game round robin format; total points will be tallied at the end of the three-stop series taking place in Nairobi, Montevideo, and São Paulo with the top 4 teams advancing to the HSBC SVNS World Championship. The Championship journey will kick off in Hong Kong (Apr. 17-19), before heading to Valladolid (May 29-31) and Bordeaux (Jun. 5-7). Finally, a Men’s and Women’s World Champion will be crowned to mark the dramatic finale of the newly formatted HSBC SVNS Series announced in 2025.
Canada 22 Uruguay 24
Thomas Isherwood made his 40th HSBC SVNS tournament appearance as Canada faced Uruguay.
Uruguay opened the scoring through Landauer before Canada responded with a well-worked phase of play, finished on the edge by Ian Jones. Jones remained a constant threat, using his pace to gain valuable territory throughout the half, while Di Nardo added another try in the fifth minute.
A misfired Canadian lineout late in the half handed Uruguay possession, which they converted into a try under the posts to take a 14–10 lead into halftime.
Canada struck first in the second following a turnover from Isherwood, with Kyle Tremblay powering through the defense, Lockie Kratz converted. Uruguay responded quickly in transition through Hoblog after recovering a loose kick, Hoblog added another despite a strong cover tackle attempt from D’Shawn Bowen.
In the closing seconds, Canada regained possession and Jones crossed for his second try to narrow the gap. However, the missed conversion denied Canada the chance to force golden point.
Uruguay secured a 24–22 victory, while Canada earned a losing bonus point after a closely contested match.
Scoring Summary: Ian Jones (2T), Morgan Di Nardo (1T), Kyle Tremblay (1T), Lockie Kratz (1C)
Canada 12 USA 26
The United States seized early momentum with tries from Broselle and Cummings, exposing gaps in Canada’s defense before Lacamp added another to make it 19–0 at halftime.
Already qualified for the HSBC SVNS World Championship, the USA stayed in control after the break, with Broselle crossing again.
Canada responded late through D’Shawn Bowen, Ethan Turner added another capitalizing on a USA handling error, Brenden Black slotted the conversion.
A final push nearly earned Canada a losing bonus point, but a crucial cover tackle forced Lockie Kratz into touch.
Scoring Summary: D’Shawn Bowen (1T), Ethan Turner (1T), Brenden Black (1C)
Canada 0 Kenya 40
Kenya opened the scoring through Onyala, who capitalized on a Canadian penalty. He added a second soon after, chasing down a kick ahead to finish. Safari extended the lead as Kenya continued to exploit Canadian errors.
Dominant on both sides of the ball, Kenya held Canada scoreless at halftime, leading 19–0. George Ooro struck early in the second half, and relentless pressure – fueled by turnovers at the breakdown and a solid defensive wall – kept Canada from gaining momentum.
Kenya added two more tries to seal a 40–0 victory and book their place in the HSBC SVNS World Championship.
NEXT UP FOR CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM
Sunday, March 29
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Germany
7:22am PT / 10:22am ET
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Belgium
10:12am PT / 1:12pm ET
Follow the up-to-date match schedule here.
WHERE TO WATCH
All of Canada’s HSBC SVNS 2 matches in São Paulo will be available live on TSN+.
CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM SÃO PAULO SQUAD
3. Ethan Turner (Maple Ridge, BC) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
7. Johnny Franklin (Bowen Island, BC) – Capilano RFC
10. Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
13. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
14. D’Shawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) – James Bay AA / Agronomia Rugby
18. Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Scottish / University of Victoria
22. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC / Westshore RFC
37. Ian Jones (Bass River, NS) – Ajax Wanderers / Pictou County
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UBCOB Ravens
55. Jack Shaw (Oakville, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Oakville Crusaders
66. Andrew Cooper (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas RFC
There’s always been some great men’s sevens talent coming up. I can’t fail to notice that several of the most impressive young players have stayed in the programme only for a year or two. From the last medal they won at Vancouver a few years ago to several qualifiying matches in between.
Is this due in part to lack of funding? (very common in Canadian non domestic pro ssport)
I still remember a former coach who (after coaching them to their only level one series gold in Singapore) aluded to this and was removed (please correct me if my memory is incorrect)
Can donations to the foundation be directed to programmes who’s ranking doesn’t qualify them for the federal “own the podium” programme?
This old boomer wants to up his donations.