Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team off to semis in Madrid with wins over New Zealand and Great Britain

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will play in the semi-finals of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid following pool play wins over New Zealand and Great Britain.

Charity Williams opened scoring early against the 2024 HSBC SVNS league winners, striking in the opening minute. Olivia Apps added a try for Canada between the uprights, with Piper Logan scoring off a rolling maul with New Zealand down to six players due to a yellow card. Chloe Daniels converted all three of Canada’s first half tries, with Canada leading 21-0 at half-time. Keyara Wardley added one more for Canada to open the second half. New Zealand battled back with three tries, but Canada took the win 26-17, marking the first time Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team has beat New Zealand since 2016.

Wardley scored for the third match in a row in Madrid to start Canada’s final pool play match against Great Britain. A yellow card was assessed to Williams in the fifth minute, but Canada kept Great Britain at bay, with a turnover helping Daniels add to Canada’s score. Great Britain scored before the break, with Canada holding a 12-7 lead at half-time. The second half featured back-and-forth action. Great Britain tied the game in the eighth minute, with a run from Williams down the outside giving the lead back to Canada. Heather Cowell tied the match in the twelfth minute however, with the game forced to golden point extra time. Wardley was the hero for Canada, scoring to secure a 22-17 win.

The final pool play match for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team was against the United States. The Americans took a 7-0 lead in the fifth minute, which they carried in to half-time. An offload from Jack Carson to Josiah Morra got Canada on the board in the tenth minute, with a successful conversion from Cooper Coats tying the game 7-7. The United States finished with the 14-7 win thanks to a try in the twelfth minute from Malacchi Esdale.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team plays France in the semi-finals on Sunday June 2 at 2:57 am PT / 5:57 am ET. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will meet Spain in the Challenger Play-off at 9:08am PT / 11:08am ET, the winner of which will qualify for the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series.

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.