Canada’s sevens teams back in action on Day 1 in Hong Kong

Both of Canada’s sevens teams are back in action this weekend for the first time since HSBC Canada Sevens, taking to the pitch at Hong Kong Stadium for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. The first day of competition saw teams competing in wet conditions as pool play kicked off.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team opened the tournament—the first time that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has included the women’s Series—with a tight contest against Great Britain. Scoreless through the first half, Great Britain’s Heather Cowell scored in the tenth minute. Canada camped out on Great Britain’s five metre line for several phases in the final minutes, generating opportunities, but the British hung on to win 5-0.

Facing hosts Hong Kong China, Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team turned on the offence. Playing in her first tournament since Cape Town Sevens in December, Julia Greenshields scored first, taking the option off the scrum to break through Hong Kong China’s defence. Canada’s co-captains combined on the second try, with Olivia Apps passing to Breanne Nicholas to take a 10-0 lead at half-time.

Hong Kong China scored their sole try of the game in the tenth minute, but Krissy Scurfield helped take back control of the game, sprinting down the sideline and cutting into the middle to score between the posts. Apps added on a successful conversion. The final try of the game was scored by Taejah Thompson, her first ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series try, giving Canada the 22-5 win.

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team started their campaign in Hong Kong against Argentina, the winners of HSBC Canada Sevens. Argentina took a quick 12-0 lead in the first three minutes, with Canada closing out the first half with a try from Josiah Morra, who was playing in his 100th HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series game, and a conversion from Brennig Prevost. A close second half saw Argentina manage to score one final try in the tenth minute to take the win 17-7.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team closes out pool play on Friday March 31 at 7:41 p.m. PT / 10:41 p.m. ET against New Zealand. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team’s final two pool play matches are against Fiji on Friday March 31 at 8:52 p.m. PT / 11:52 p.m. ET and against Samoa on Saturday April 1 at 1:13 a.m. PT / 4:13 a.m. ET.

Broadcast coverage of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is available in Canada via CBC. All tournaments are available to stream via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

For the latest scores, results and schedule, visit the official website: world.rugby/sevens-series.