Pool play under way for Canada at HSBC SVNS Perth

The first HSBC SVNS tournament of 2024 kicked off Friday in Australia, with Canada’s sevens teams taking to the pitch for HSBC SVNS Perth, the first time a sevens series event has been held in Western Australia.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team opened with a tight contest against Great Britain. Canada dominated off the first play, with Asia Hogan-Rochester scoring in the first minute to give Canada a 5-0 lead. Moments later however, Great Britain converted a try to go up 7-5, a lead which they held until the 11th minute of play. Taking advantage of a yellow card to Great Britain, Carissa Norsten offloaded the ball to Krissy Scurfield, who found space to sprint down the field and score, with Breanne Nicholas’ conversion putting Canada up 12-7. Great Britain had the last word however, scoring in the 13th minute to win 14-12.

Next up was South Africa, in which most of the scoring came in the second half. Scurfield sprinted down the left to score in the first half, converted by Chloe Daniels, with Canada holding a 7-0 lead at half-time. Scurfield then scored her third of the day in the opening minute of the second half, receiving a pass from Caroline Crossley. South Africa got a try and conversion of their own, but Canada responded by increasing their lead. Playing in her 30th sevens series tournament, Charity Williams found space through South Africa’s defence to put the ball between the posts. Hogan-Rochester converted her own try in the final minute of play to give Canada the 26-7 win.

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team opened the tournament with matches against the top two teams in the standings, Argentina and South Africa. Kicking things off with South Africa, Canada went down 5-0 in the opening minute, but shortly after took the lead; Jack Carson found Josiah Morra, who cut through the middle and scored, converted by Lockie Kratz. South Africa scored once more before half-time to take a 10-7 lead. Two more tries for South Africa in the second half, both converted, gave them the 24-7 win.

Argentina opened scoring early, followed by a try from Jack Carson, who sprinted down the right and stayed strong through an Argentinian tackle to get over the try line. Argentina scored four more tries, two in the first and two in the second, including two which were on the heels of yellow cards to Canada, to win 29-5.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team is currently third in their pool, and have secured their quarter-final spot. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team is fourth in their pool, with one pool play match remaining for both teams.

Pool play will conclude on the second day of competition, with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team playing Australia at 7:54pm PT/10:54pm ET and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team playing Spain at 8:16pm PT/11:16pm ET (Friday January 26). Watch all matches live on TSN+.

MORE INFO 

For the most up to date information on the HSBC SVNS Series and live coverage, including details on the event format, the schedule and the latest news, visit the official website: svns.com.

The HSBC SVNS Series resumes in February on home soil in Vancouver. Catch both of Canada’s teams in action at HSBC Vancouver Sevens (February 23-25, 2024) at BC Place. Buy tickets now at vansevens.com.