Cape Town Sevens Series Updates

Canada vs. Scotland

Canada started off the Cape Town Sevens Series with a loss to Scotland, 21-14.

Scotland was first on the board, but Connor Braid followed shortly behind with a try of his own. After adding on another, Scotland closed out the first half up 14-7.

In the second, Matt Mullins won the battle on the ground and broke the line before offloading to Pat Kay who dotted down for a try. It wasn’t enough though, as Scotland answered back with a score in the late seconds of the match that secured their win 21-14. Nathan Hirayama was successful in both of his conversion attempts, bringing him just 11 points away from 1500.

Canada vs. Australia

Canada fall to Australia in their second game of the day, losing 29-15.

It was all Australia in the first half, stretching Canada’s defence and getting two tries a piece for John Porch and Nick Malouf. Going into the break Australia lead 24-0.

In the second, Justin Douglas scored two tries to open up the scoring for Canada. The two scores gives Douglas 124 in total, which ties Sean Duke’s record for Canada’s all-time tries scored. Australia added on one more try of their own, giving Porch a hattrick.

Ending off the match it was Nathan Hirayama who was able to get control of the ball and touch down in the corner for a try. Australia took the match 29-15.

Canada vs. Wales

Canada end off day one in Cape Town with a convincing 28-7 victory over Wales.

Justin Douglas opened the scoring for Canada, with Nathan Hirayama adding on the conversion. Connor Braid scored his second of the series and put Canada up 14-7 at the break.

Matt Mullins danced around the Wales defender to score his first of the series in the second half. A great offload by Adam Zaruba to Justin Douglas added on another try for Canada and secured the win.

Two major milestones were reached in the 28-7 victory. Douglas hit 126 tries making him Canada’s leading all time try scorer and Hirayama’s four conversions pushed him over the allusive 1500 mark. Hirayama is just the fourth player to break 1500 points and he currently sits at 1502.

Canada vs. Zimbabwe

Canada won their Challenge Trophy Quarterfinal match against Zimbabwe, 28-24.

To start things off it was Nathan Hirayama who scored the first try for Canada and his second so far in Cape Town. After subbing in for an injured Andrew Coe, Isaac Kaay got the inside ball and ran it in for the score. Three tries from Zimbabwe put them up 19-14 at the break.

In the second, Pat Kay broke the Zimbabwe line and touched down for a try. A Zimbabwe grubber was picked up by Canada’s Josiah Morra, who found Kaay for the offload and went on to score his second try of the match. A late try by Zimbabwe brought the final score to 28-24 for Canada.

Canada vs. Argentina

Canada ended the Cape Town Sevens series with a loss to Argentina in the Challenge Trophy Semifinals, 24-14.

After Argentina opened up the scoring, Pat Kay found Matt Mullins who dotted down for a try. The great touches continued with the ball moving through hands to find Connor Braid who scored his third try of the series. Pay Kay made both conversions and put Canada up 14-5 at the break.

Things started to break down for Canada in the second, as they were given two yellow cards and gave the advantage to Argentina. Argentina capitalized on it, scoring three unanswered tries and securing their victory, 24-14.

Canada reached some significant milestones in the Cape Town. Justin Douglas’s four tries in the series puts him at 126 to date, making him Canada’s all time leading try scorer. Nathan Hirayama broke the 1500 point mark and is only the fourth player to ever do so. He ends off 2018 with an all time 1509 points.

Nova Scotia native Cooper Coats also saw his first World Rugby Sevens Series after being called up as an injury replacement.

Canada earned five points in Cape Town, putting them at 10 total going into 2019. They’ll continue their quest for Tokyo 2020 qualification next in Hamilton, January 26-27th, 2019.

Canada Roster for Cape Town:

1.    Connor Braid – James Bay AA (Victoria, BC)
2.    Admir Cejvanovic – Burnaby Lake RFC (Burnaby, BC)
3.    Andrew Coe – Markham Irish (Toronto, ON)
4.    Cooper Coats – Halifax Tars (Halifax, NS)
5.    Justin Douglas – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
6.    Nathan Hirayama “C” – Unattached (Richmond, BC)
7.    Isaac Kaay – UVIC Vikes (Kamloops, BC)
8.    Patrick Kay – Castaway Wanderers (Duncan, BC)
9.    Luke McCloskey – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
10.  Josiah Morra – Toronto Saracens (Toronto, ON)
11.  Matt Mullins – Queen’s University (Belleville, ON)
12.  Jake Thiel – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
13.  Adam Zaruba – Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)

Day One Cape Town Schedule, December 8th:

Canada 14- 21 Scotland

Canada 15 - 29 Australia

Canada 28 - 7 Wales

Challenge Trophy QF

Canada 28 - 24 Zimbabwe

Challenge Trophy Semi Final

Canada 24 - 14 Argentina