Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team looks towards Canada Sevens with LA Sevens complete

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team claimed their best finish on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 since November’s Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Facing Kenya in the ninth place quarter finals to kick off day two, Canada put on a display of cohesive and relentless defence throughout the game and opened scoring in the sixth minute. Josiah Morra slipped past Kenya’s defence before offloading the ball on the outside to Jack Carson, who gave Canada a 5-0 lead.

Kenya tied the score 5-5 in the twelfth minute of play, but a pass from Matthew Percillier to speedy Morra gave Canada another try. Adding a conversion from Thomas Isherwood, Canada won 12-5.

Playing for a chance at ninth place, Spain took a 12-0 lead over Canada late in the first half of the ninth place semi finals. Taking advantage of a yellow card to Spain, Morra received a pass from Lockie Kratz and sped the ball down the field for a try. Kratz kicked a clean conversion, putting the score at 12-7 heading in to the break.

Spain increased their lead with Eduardo Lopez’s third try of the game in minute nine. Canada worked hard to close the gap, with Elias Ergas catching a break on the outside and scoring a great try three minutes later. Spain, however, won the game by a final score of 17-12, ending Canada’s campaign in Los Angeles.

“Tough way to finish. It’s a positive to see the things we’ve been working on over the past few weeks show up on the field. An example of that is our defensive effort versus Kenya,” said Sean White, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team interim Head Coach. “That being said, we are still working towards providing a consistent product over a three game period that will allow us to challenge for a quarter final. It’s building and we’re close, but as a group we’re not satisfied with just being close.

“We know the fans in Vancouver are some of the best on the series. We can’t wait to match their energy and put together repeat performances that make them proud.”

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team now flies to Vancouver for Canada Sevens, which takes place March 3-5 at BC Place. Buy tickets now at canadasevens.com.

For full results from the World Rugby Sevens Series, visit the official website: world.rugby/sevens-series.