Canada’s Senior Women’s and Men’s Sevens teams continue to battle as Day 2 of HSBC France Sevens comes to a close

Canada’s Senior Women’s Sevens team earned a place in the fifth-place semi-final, while the Men’s team will compete in the 13th-place semi-final after Day 2 of the HSBC France Sevens came to a close in Toulouse.

The Women’s team began the day with their final Pool B match against New Zealand. It was expected to be a tough test and proved to be so as tries from Kelly Brazier, Jazmin Hotham and Theresa Fitzpatrick sealed a 17-0 victory for the Black Ferns.

On the Men’s side, Henry Paul’s squad took on Japan in their final Pool A match. Clever footwork from Cooper Coats opened up the Japan defence and his kick had Brock Webster chasing down the sidelines before he claimed possession and touched down for the game’s opening score. Japan, though, responded immediately through Timo Fiti Sufia and Kameli Raravou Latianara Soejima to go into half time with a 14-7 lead.

After the restart, Canada scored a quick-fire try as captain Phil Berna stole possession and ran in under the posts. That was followed by another score at the resulting kickoff as pressure from Jake Thiel forced a mistake by Japan, allowing Elias Ergas to go over. Further scores from Ergas, Prevost and Isherwood sealed a 40-14 victory.

Results in other matches meant Canada’s Men’s side finished third in Pool A and faced Spain in the ninth-place quarter-final. Coats got the scoring underway with a try in the corner after he was fed by Alex Russell before Josep Serres and Pol Pla scores gave Spain a 14-5 half-time lead.

In the second half, a well-worked Canadian move from a lineout ensured they had a two-on-one on the far side which was well finished by Webster. A David Richard try then saw them retake the lead but Juan Ramos responded with a late converted try which earned Spain a 21-19 victory.

In their Cup quarter-final, Canada’s Women’s team took on Ireland. Straight from kick off, Lucy Mulhall scored under the posts as Ireland jumped out to an early lead. Moments later, Renee Gonzalez backed her speed around the outside and touched down to bring Canada level. Just prior to half time, Olivia Apps burst into space to go over before Erin King scored for Ireland meaning Canada went into the break with a narrow 14-12 advantage.

The second half saw Ireland go back in front as King grabbed her second try before a deft Bianca Farella offload unlocked the Ireland defence and ushered in Olivia De Couvreur for a go-ahead score. A pacey Eve Higgins run down the wing with a minute remaining gave Ireland a decisive 22-21 lead as they claimed the win.

Saturday’s results mean the Women’s team will face the USA in the fifth-place semi-final at 1:36 a.m. Pacific on Day 3, while the Men’s team will take on Wales in the 13th-place semi-final at 1:58 a.m. Pacific.