Singapore Sevens Updates

Day 1:
Canada 26-14 Argentina
Canada opened their cup title defence in Singapore with a twelve point victory against the talented South Americans. With scores level at 14-all in the second-half, Canada picked up the pace and managed to score a well-worked try through the flying Justin Douglas. The speedster grabbed his second on the stroke of full-time to seal the win.

Tries - Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Justin Douglas (2)
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (3)

Canada 12-26 South Africa
Canada started the game with intent and looked to beat South Africa at their own physical game in the opening stages. This proved successful as Andrew Coe opened the scoring for the defending champions and seemed to have the Blitzbokke rattled. Canada could unfortunately not keep up the intensity as South Africa showed why they're ranked first on the World Series with a couple of classy counter attack tries in the second-half. Full-time, Canada 12-26 South Africa.

Tries - Andrew Coe, Tevaughn Campbell
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (1)

Canada 19-22 Samoa
Canada got off to a flying start against Samoa, scoring two early tries to take a 14-point lead within the first 90 seconds of the game. Samoa came storming back with three tries of their own in what proved to be an entertaining first-half for the neutral. A late Pat Kay try gave Canada a slim two-point advantage heading into the break (19-17). The second was quite the opposite of the first with both teams defending for their lives. With time running out, Samoa got hold of the ball and ran the length of the field to score the winner and end Canada's hopes of defending their title.

Tries - Nate Hirayama, Justin Douglas, Pat Kay
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (2)

Day 2:
Canada 26-7 France
A dominant display by Damian McGrath's men in the Challenge Trophy Quarterfinal. After conceding the first score, it was all Canada, as tries from Justin Douglas, Harry Jones, Mike Fuailefau and Tevaughn Campbell blew France away. Nate Hirayama chipped in with another three conversions to stretch the score at the final whistle to Canada 26-7 France.

Tries - Justin Douglas, Harry Jones, Mike Fuailefau, Tevaughn Campbell
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (3)

Canada 17-10 Wales (Challenge Trophy Semi-final)
A solid performance on both offence and defence allowed Canada to grind out a well-deserved win against the Welsh. Justin Douglas once again opened the scoring for Canada on the wing, his 5th try of the weekend. Mike Fuailefau added his name to the scoresheet for the second game in a row, before the powerful Matt Mullins charged over for what turned out to be the winning try for Canada.

Tries - Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Matt Mullins
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (1)

Canada 12-26 USA (Challenge Trophy Final)
Canada started the better of the two teams and took a 12-7 lead, thanks to tries from Mike Fuailefau and a beaut from Captain, Nate Hirayama. USA hit back with a try against the run of play on the stroke of half-time to make it a two-point ball game. The second-half was all USA as the flying Carlin Isles completed his hat-trick to take the game away from Canada. Final score, Canada 12-26 USA.

Tries - Mike Fuailefau, Nate Hirayama 
Conversions - Nate Hirayama (1)
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Tournament Preview:

Canada will have fond memories of their unbelievable run in 2017 and will be hoping to produce more of the same when they take the field at the National Stadium in Singapore on Friday.

Nathan Hirayama takes over the captaincy from the now retired, John Moonlight. Hirayama has been in impeccable form this season and currently finds himself tied for first-place on the 'Most Points Scored' standings alongside Fiji's, Amenoni Nasilasila. The only other change in the line-up sees Luke Bradley replace Connor Braid, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury. 

Singapore will be the final stop on Canada's four week Australasian tour, which has seen the team compete in the Hong Kong Sevens and at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Canada has been drawn in a tough pool alongside the series leaders, South Africa, 4th placed Argentina and a dangerous Samoan outfit. 

Canada will take confidence from the fact that they beat three of the top four teams to claim the title last year and will once again be looking to collect vital World Series points ahead of a well-deserved month-long break in May. The sevens action continues in London on June 2.

Follow the action LIVE on http://www.cbc.ca/sports 

Roster:
Andrew Coe – Markham Irish (Toronto, ON)
Tevaughn Campbell – Unattached (Toronto, ON)
Admir Cejvanovic – Burnaby Lake RFC (Burnaby, BC)
Justin Douglas – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
Lucas Hammond – Toronto Nomads (Toronto, ON)
Nathan Hirayama (C) – Unattached (Richmond, BC)
Isaac Kaay – UVIC Vikes (Kamloops, BC)
Pat Kay – Castaway Wanderers (Duncan, BC)
Mike Fuailefau – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
Harry Jones – Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
Luke McCloskey – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
Matt Mullins – Queen’s University (Belleville, ON)
Luke Bradley - (Port Alberni, BC)