Canada’s Senior Women’s and Men’s Sevens teams claim Championship crowns at RAN Sevens Qualifiers

Canada’s Senior Women’s and Men’s Sevens teams were both crowned RAN Sevens Qualifiers Cup winners on Sunday, confirming their places at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in the process.

Both teams entered Day 2 of the event in commanding positions with the Women’s team having already secured their spot in the finals and the Men’s side through to the quarter-finals, thanks to an unbeaten Day 1.

First up, Henry Paul’s side faced Barbados in the last four. In a physical match, Jake Thiel opened the scoring after finishing off a coast-to-coast move before Phil Berna doubled the advantage. Barbados responded with a well-worked try before Coats ran in another for Canada just before the half. Further tries from Thomas Isherwood, Nick Allen and Brock Webster – before a late consolation for Barbados - sealed a 38-14 victory.

Next, the Women’s team took on the Cayman Islands in their final Pool match. An emphatic 71-0 triumph for the Canadians was underlined by a hat-trick of tries from Krissy Scurfield as well as scores from Asia Hogan Rochester (2), Fancy Bermudez (2), Chloe Daniels, Olivia Apps, Keyara Wardley and Bianca Farella.

In the Men’s semi-finals, Canada came up against Mexico. An intelligent Webster offload to Thiel setup Canada’s first try before Coats did the same to assist Elias Ergas to add to their lead. Isherwood scored another before the half to give Canada a 19-0 advantage at the break. In the second half, Ergas scored his second try before Anton Ngongo and Jarvis Dashkewytch got in on the act to secure a 41-0 decision.

The Women’s final saw Canada face Mexico. Wardley opened the scoring as her pacey run resulted in the first try before Farella also turned on the jets to consolidate the lead. Rochester added to the advantage before the half with another try and Canada went into the break up 19-0.

A strong Canadian defence held strong at the start of the second half to deny Mexico before putting themselves firmly into the driver’s seat thanks to a breakaway Elissa Alarie try. A further try from Nakisa Levale completed the scoring, confirming a 33-0 victory and the cup for Canada.

In the Men’s final, quick hands and a smart offload from Isherwood to Dashkewytch made the first try for Canada against Jamaica. A huge handoff from Lachlan Kratz made sure there was a path for him to go over to double the advantage as Henry Paul’s side took control. Ergas (2) and Isherwood also scored tries – while Jamaica grabbed two in consolation - as Canada claimed a convincing 29-12 win and the cup.

With their performances in Nassau both Canada’s Women’s and Men’s Sevens teams ensured their qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa later this year.

Next up for the Women’s team is a trip to Langford for the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens on April 30 and May 1. Tickets are available here.