Women Finish 6th in Toulouse, 7th Overall in Series – Men in Relegation Zone with Two Tournaments Remaining – Full Match Videos
The women had a fairly successful tournament to end the series, finishing in 6th place. They defeated rivals USA in the 5th place semi but lost to France in the 5th place final. The women finish the series in 7th place.
The men had a poor Day 3, losing to Wales in perhaps their worst half of rugby this season, when they went down 22-0 in the 1st half. That result gave them a last place tie with Kenya, both teams getting only 1 point out of the tournament.
The men have two tournaments left but are in a dire position, bordering on the relegation zone. Canada currently have 32 points with Wales at 31 and Japan at 25. Two teams will be relegated this season. Their draw in the London 7s next weekend isn’t good, France, Australia, NZ. They may have to focus their energy on claiming 9th spot and giving everyone playing time in the pool round in preparation for a strong Day 2.
MEN
Canada 7 – Wales 27
Brock Webster 9′
WOMEN
Canada 14 – France 19
Krissy Scurfield 12′
Ella O’Regan 15′
Canada 19 – USA 7
Keyara Wardley 5′
Olivia De Couvreur 9′
Bianca Farella 8′
*Frustration for Canada in Toulouse on Day 2: Men Face Wales on Day 3; Women Face USA – Full Match Videos*
A frustrating day in Toulouse for the men’s and women’s 7s team. The women went 0-2 losing to NZ in the pool round and then losing to Ireland in the cup quarter-final. The men missed the cup quarter-final by way of Argentina’s win over England. There was some poor sportsmanship in that match as Argentina stopped playing once they secured the win and the game paused while England waited to touch the ball down for a try, keeping the clock running. Another try by Argentina would have given Canada a cup quarter-final spot.
The men will face Wales in the 13th place semi-final, it’s a must win for Canada who are battling to keep ahead of Wales in the relegation battle. Scotland have already gained points on Canada since they made the 9th place semi-final and will surpass Canada in this tournament.
The women will face USA in the 5th place semi-final.
WOMEN
Canada 21 – Ireland 22
Renee Gonzalez 2′
Olivia Apps 6′
Olivia De Couvreur 10′
Canada 0 – NZ 17
MEN
Canada 19 – Spain 21
Cooper Coats 3′
Brock Webster 9′
David Richard 11′
Canada 40 – Japan 14
Brock Webster 4′
Phil Berna 9′
Elias Ergas 10′ & 11′
Brennig Prevost 12′
Thomas Isherwood 15′
*Canada Men and Women Still in Cup Hunt After Day One in Toulouse – Two Men’s Teams Facing Series Relegation – Full Match Videos*
The realization that 2 teams from the men’s series will be relegated this year has spiced up the competition with three rounds remaining. Currently Japan at 22 points looks like the leading contender for that dubious honour with Samoa at 26 points currently occupying the second spot. Samoa however have only competed in two tournaments this season and are likely to quickly vacate that position after Toulouse. That leaves Wales (29), Scotland (30) and Canada (31) in the relegation zone with 3 tournaments remaining. Every series point is important for the men’s team now. It didn’t start well for Canada with a 24-5 loss to England, a match they would have targeted to get in the Cup round but they rebounded with an upset over Argentina. Now it’s all to play for with tomorrow’s game against Japan, a Cup round placement is still in the cards.
These are the scenarios for Canada to make the Cup round and distance themselves from the relegation position. Canada have a -12 differential, England +30 and Argentina +31. If Canada defeat Japan and England defeat Argentina, then Canada are into the Cup round as #2 Pool A. If Argentina defeat England and Canada defeat Japan then it’s a 3 way tie and point differential determines pool position, in that case Canada will have to overcome the 42 point differential difference with England with either a huge win over Japan or hope England lose massively to Argentina, or a combination of both.
Wales and Scotland are out of contention to make the Cup round with 0-2 records on Day 1.
To further complicate the standings, since not all teams participated in all tournaments due to Covid, the men can drop their two worst results, only counting their best seven results. The women can drop their two worst results, only counting their best four results.
There’s only one women’s team that will be relegated from the series and with this being the last women’s round, Canada are safe. Canada are at 36 points with Spain (26) and Brazil (22) hovering below them. Russia have been suspended from the series due to the Ukraine invasion and they have been capped at 37 points for the season.
The women went 2-0 on Day 1, they looked good against Spain but struggled in the first half against the invitational Scotland team. Krissy Scurfield continues to impress, scoring a try in each match. Their next match is against NZ, if they win that they’ll get a quarter-final draw against the best 3rd place team, if they lose to NZ they’ll face 2nd in Pool C, either France or Ireland.
WOMEN
Canada 14 – Scotland 7
Emma Chown 9′
Krissy Scurfield 12′
Canada 26 – Spain 12
Keyara Wardley 4′ & 11′
Krissy Scurfield 6′
Bianca Farella 15′
MEN
Canada 19 – Argentina 12
Anton Ngongo 2′
Jake Thiel 6′
David Richard 14′
Canada 5 – England 24
Alex Russell 3′
*Canadian Teams Named for Toulouse 7s on May 20-22*
[ed. update D’Shawn Bowen is out with an injury, Lockie Kratz has been called into the squad.]
The Canadian teams for the Toulouse tournament have been released. On the men’s side Lockie Kratz is notable by his absence. On the women’s side a number of players committed to the XVs team are absent, Pam Buisa and Elissa Alarie.
For the women, this is the last series tournament of the season. For the men, they have London and LA to follow.
On the women’s side they face Spain (Friday, May 20, 00:30 PT), Scotland (Friday, May 20, 08:00 PT) and NZ (Saturday, May 21, 00:52 PT). On current form they would likely go into the playoff round at 2-1. Possibly meeting Ireland or France (2nd in Pool C) in the quarter-finals.
On the men’s side they face England (Friday, May 20, 04:28 PT), Argentina (Friday, May 20, 11:30 PT), Japan (Saturday, May 21, 04:28 PT). Their journey to the Cup quarter-finals will largely depend on their first game against England, if they win that they’ll like get in, as they’ll probably lose to Argentina and defeat Japan. A second in Pool A would likely put them up against South Africa (1st Pool D) in the Cup round, if they finish 3rd they’ll likely go up against Spain (4th Pool D) in the Challenge round.
from Rugby Canada
As Canadas Senior Womens and Mens Sevens teams lace up their boots ready for the HSBC Toulouse Sevens (May 20-22), Head Coaches Jack Hanratty and Henry Paul have confirmed their respective rosters, presented by Velocity Trade.
Following their strong display on home soil at the HSBC Canada Womens Sevens in Langford, BC which culminated in a fifth-place finish, Hanratty has made two changes to his roster. Emma Chown and Ella ORegan, who is the sixth graduate of the Maple Leaf Academy to feature on the roster this season and will be making her HSBC Sevens Series debut, come into the fold.
Fresh from her outstanding performances at Starlight Stadium, which earned her a place on World Rugby Sevens Dream Team, Krissy Scurfield retains her spot on the roster. The Toulouse event will be the last on the HSBC Sevens Series this season for Canadas Senior Womens Sevens team as the Womens series comes to a close.
“We’re all looking forward to heading to Toulouse to finish the HSBC Sevens Series on a high as we look to continue our momentum following a positive weekend at the Langford Sevens,” Hanratty commented. “As we continue to build out our depth chart, it’s a really positive sign that we are still handing debuts to athletes at this stage of the season and we’re really pleased to bring Ella [O’Regan] into the mix.”
The Senior Mens Sevens roster sees DShawn Bowen and Anton Ngongo retain their places after impressive performances in April. Meanwhile, Brennig Prevost, David Richard and Alex Russell return to the roster after picking up minor injuries at the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver and missing out on the RAN Sevens Qualifiers.
The trip to Toulouse marks new Assistant Coach Sean Whites first tour with the team. Should Jake Thiel feature in all six of Canadas matches in France, he will pass White in Canadas all-time HSBC Sevens Series appearance list, pulling level with Christoph Strubin on 98.
Heading to Toulouse, we are pleased to welcome the likes of Brennig, David and Alex back into the roster, said Paul. As always, were looking forward to competing against the worlds best teams and to the opportunity to improve our place in the standings with three HSBC Sevens Series events remaining for our team this season.
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 for the womens team and here for the mens.
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 WOMENS SEVENS HSBC TOULOUSE SEVENS ROSTER
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish
2. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
3. Renee Gonzalez (Toronto, ON) University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – London St. Georges
5. Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
6. Emma Chown (Barrie, ON) Aurora Barbarians & Queens University
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) University of British Columbia
8. Bianca Farella (Montreal, QC) Town of Mount Royal RFC
9. Asia Hogan Rochester (Toronto, ON) Toronto Nomads
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’wester Athletic Association/Westshore RFC
11. Ella ORegan (Victoria, BC) University of Victoria/Maple Leaf Academy
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB) Okotoks Lions
13. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) University of Victoria
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION DUE TO INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS
Charity Williams
Julia Greenshields
Chloe Daniels
CANADAS MENS SEVENS HSBC TOULOUSE SEVENS ROSTER
1. DShawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) Pacific Pride
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. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers
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
Noah Bain
Theo Sauder
Josiah Morra
Siôn Griffiths