Vancouver 7s Final: Women Finish 6th; Men Finish 15th/16th
It was a short day for the men. After the excitement of upsetting Australia on Day 1, it hasn’t gone well for them. What are the odds of defeating the 2022 Series winners and them meeting the #2 team in the 13th place semi-final?
South Africa had a dismal tournament but had enough to defeat Canada in the 13th place semi-final leaving Canada with just one point from the tournament. The result puts Canada further back in the relegation race, even Japan gained ground on them. Kenya were the winners in the relegation battle, earning 7 points and closing the gap on Uruguay in 11th. The standings at the bottom of the table are Uruguay 11th (34 points), Spain 12th (30 points), Kenya 13th (29 points), Canada 14th (20 points), Japan 15th (10 points). As it stands now Japan will be relegated, and Spain, Kenya and Canada would be in the relegation tournament in London, but there’s still 3 tournaments left to change the outcome. Canada however are now 14 points outside the 11th spot while Kenya and Spain are within striking distance of Uruguay.
The women had their best tournament performance in the series this year, earning 10 points and moving into 8th spot. After a poor Day 1 they turned things around on Day 2 and avenged their loss to Ireland on Day 3. They didn’t quite have enough to overcome Fiji in the 5th place final. The women have two tournaments left in Hong Kong and Toulouse.
Argentina went on to win the men’s tournament over France with Australia taking bronze. In the women’s tournament it was NZ taking gold, Australia winning silver and USA winning bronze.
Canada will also have an eye on the USA results as the Olympic qualification for North America will pit Canada against USA, unless USA finish top four in the series and get automatic Olympic qualification. It’s good news for the women as the USA women’s team are in 3rd place with a 24 point lead on the next contender with 2 tournaments left. On the men’s side, the news isn’t good as the USA sit in 9th place, 13 points adrift with four tournaments left.
Next up is Hong Kong in 25 days.
Women
Canada 24 – Ireland 12
Canada 17 – Fiji 22
Men
Canada 14 – South Africa 31
*Day 2 Summary: Canada Men 1-1 and Face South Africa in 13th Place Playoff on Day 3; Women 1-1 and Face Ireland in 5th Place Semi-Final*
It was a tough day for Canada at the Vancouver 7s on Day 2. A story of “so close” and woulda, shoulda and coulda. The men just needed Ireland to defeat Australia in their last match or at least lose by 7 or less, but the Irish couldn’t even do that for their hosts. Australia defeated Ireland 21-7 and edged Canada out of their first Cup quarter-final appearance this season on point differential. Canada defeated Chile in their first match of Day 2 but an error filled performance against Spain means they’ll lose ground against one of their relegation competitors. The men will face South Africa in the 13 place semi-final on Day 3.
The women played probably their finest match of the season, almost defeating the Black Ferns, but a knock on with the line beckoning took away that result. They won their first match against Brazil in easy fashion. The women have a rematch with Ireland in their 5th place semi-final on Day 3.
For the men, Josiah Morra, looks to be the on form player, but the introduction of two UBC XVs players, Jack Carson and Matt Percillier had the team playing some of their best rugby this season. It raises the question of where to find the players needed to raise Canada to the next level. The UBC duo were only on loan to the 7s program for the two North American stops.
For the women Keyara Wardley was outstanding on Day 2, will the team be able to duplicate their Day 2 form in the rematch with Ireland, a team that beat them 28-7 on Day 1? Their swarming defence in the Black Ferns match was reminiscent of the women’s program in the John Tait era when they won Olympic Bronze.
Men
Canada 35 – Chile 7
Canada 14 – Spain 19
Women
Canada 31 – Brazil 7
Canada 5 – NZ 10
*Canada Men Upset Australia for 1-1 Record on Day 1: Women Fall to Ireland and USA*
There’s no doubt the story of Day 1 was the men’s upset of Australia, 29-12.
After watching the men get a drubbing from Ireland 35-5 in their first match and watching the women lose their games to Ireland and USA, there wasn’t a lot to be optimistic about. Then the unexpected happened, Canada put it all together in the final game of the day and came away with an emphatic win over 6th place Australia. Matt Percillier scored 2 tries, Alex Russell, Kal Sager and Thomas Isherwood added singles.
Matt Percillier getting the start turned out to be a key move by coach Sean White. Lockie Kratz stepped up in a leadership role and brought a high tempo energy to the team. Josiah Morra played well and was tagged as a DHL Impact player on the World Rugby match summary. Alex Russell came up with outside speed we didn’t know he possessed and Matt Oworu came up with the boshes at the right time. Jake Thiel, Thomas Isherwood and Kal Sager came on in the second half and made a difference. There were a lot of positives from that match. Hopefully we’ll see more of that on Day 2.
The women lost both matches on Day 1, overpowered by Ireland and then making a better effort against USA. They need someone to take a leadership role on the team and coaches need a strategy to maximize the talent they do have. The question has to be asked why both Krissy Scurfield and Piper Logan made the World Rugby Dream Team on their debuts but once they got immersed into the program have levelled off, is it the team culture or the coaching, or both?
Sophie de Goede was interviewed on the sideline and when asked if she would wear a 7s jersey some day replied, “never say never”. Perhaps we’ll see her next season when relegation is on the line. Also seen in the half time huddles, Phil Mack on the men’s coaching team and Kevin Rouet on the women’s coaching team.
On Day 2 the men play Chile at 14:35 and the women play Brazil at 11:28.
Women
Canada 7 – Ireland 28
Canada 12 – USA 17
Men
Canada 5 – Ireland 35
Canada 29 – Australia 12
*Vancouver 7s Kicks Off on Friday: Canadian Women Start at 10:43 vs Ireland; Men Start at 13:45 vs Ireland*
Both the men and women start their tournament vs Ireland. The men are in a pool with Australia, Ireland and Chile. The women are pooled with USA, Ireland and Brazil.
The men are fighting to remain on the series and to avoid the relegation tournament set for London in May. The women have no relegation this season so are in a more comfortable position although in 10th place. The top four teams get entry into the Olympics, currently for the men that is NZ, Argentina, South Africa and Fiji, for the women it is NZ, Australia, USA, France/Ireland.
The men’s team sees no change from LA. The women have several changes from Sydney, their last tournament. Piper Logan, Florence Symonds, Keyara Wardley, Taejah Thompson are in, out are Pam Buisa, Shalaya Valenzuela, Nakisa Levale, Madison Grant.
Women
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) Ottawa Irish
2. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) Kent Havoc RFC
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) University of British Columbia
8. Bianca Farella (Montreal, QC) Town of Mont Royal RFC
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) NorWesters Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
11. Piper Logan (Calgary, AB) Calgary Hornets / University of British Columbia
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB) Not Affiliated
13. Taejah Thompson (Calgary, AB) Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club
16. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) CRFC / Saracens
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) Lindsay RFC
77. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) Aurora Barbarians / Queens University
Men
2. Jake Thiel (Victoria, BC) James Bay AA
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
11. Elias Ergas (Vancouver, BC) University of British Columbia
14. Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) James Bay AA
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) Foothills Lions RFC
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers / NOLA Gold
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) Bytown Blues
88. Matt Percillier (Victoria, BC) University of British Columbia
99. Jack Carson (Victoria, BC) University of British Columbia
*Canada Names Women’s Team for Vancouver 7s – Piper Logan Returns From Injury*
from Rugby Canada
Canadas Womens Sevens Team for the 2023 HSBC Canada Sevens, the first edition of the Vancouver tournament to combine full womens and mens series events, has been announced by Head Coach Jack Hanratty.
Led by co-captains Olivia Apps and Breanne Nicholas, Canada joins 11 other womens teams at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia over March 3-5. Canada will play in Pool C along with Ireland, the USA and Brazil in what is the fifth of seven stops on the womens World Rugby Sevens Series 2023.
Amongst the names on Canadas roster are four Olympians, including Bianca Farella, Canadas all-time leader (and fourth in the world) with 235 matches played on the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Rejoining the roster following recovery from injury is Piper Logan, who made her debut for Canadas Womens Sevens Team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she was one of seven players named to the tournaments Dream Team. This will be her first World Rugby Sevens Series tournament. Players also returning from injuries sustained this season are Krissy Scurfield, Florence Symonds, and Keyara Wardley.
Making her international debut is Taejah Thompson, a standout graduate of the University of Calgary who came through Rugby Canadas Maple Leaf Academy.
We have had an excellent few weeks of hard work. The players and staff knew that things had to elevate if we want to get into the knockout stages of World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, said Jack Hanratty, Canadas Womens Sevens Team Head Coach. The injuries that we have had over the last four tournaments have created opportunities for others to gain valuable experience, but now we want to add consistency in our performances and our results. Playing at home is incredibly special and we want to grab the opportunity to showcase the work weve done over this training block.
Canadas Womens Sevens Team opens pool play on Friday March 3 versus Ireland at 10:43 a.m. PT / 1:43 p.m. ET, followed by a match against the USA at 5:20 p.m. PT / 8:20 p.m. ET. The teams final pool play match will be held on Saturday March 4 versus Brazil at 11:28 a.m. PT / 2:28 p.m. ET.
BUY TICKETS
Tickets for the HSBC Canada Sevens, taking place March 3-5 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC, can be purchased at canadasevens.com. Single day tickets are available for purchase in all sections, with General Admission tickets starting at $29.00 for Friday March 3 and $69.00 for Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5, plus service fees.
HSBC Canada Sevens is also introducing a new youth ticket option for fans aged 18 and under. Youth single day tickets can be purchased for Sunday March 5 at the low price of $35.00.
Tournament passes, the best value and way for fans to access the action on all three days of Canada Sevens, are also still available for purchase.
SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
For the most up to date information on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and live coverage, visit the official website world.rugby/sevens-series. There you will find details regarding the event format, schedule, and the latest news.
WHERE TO WATCH
Broadcast coverage of the HSBC World Rugby 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 ROSTER
1. Olivia De Couvreur (Ottawa, ON) Ottawa Irish
2. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) University of Victoria
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) Kent Havoc RFC
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) University of British Columbia
8. Bianca Farella (Montreal, QC) Town of Mont Royal RFC
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) NorWesters Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
11. Piper Logan (Calgary, AB) Calgary Hornets / University of British Columbia
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB) Not Affiliated
13. Taejah Thompson (Calgary, AB) Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club
16. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) CRFC / Saracens
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) Lindsay RFC
77. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) Aurora Barbarians / Queens University