Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team progresses to semi-finals in Paris with stunning win over France

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will play in the semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics following a stunning 19-14 win over host nation France in the quarter-finals at Stade de France. 

France, who finished the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series ranked third in the world, were undefeated going into the quarter-finals, having won their three pool play matches. But Piper Logan got Canada on the board first in the fourth minute with a try off the scrum, beating several French players to get the ball over the line. Chloe Daniels converted Logan’s try to put Canada up early in front of a loud crowd of over 60,000. 

France battled back, tying the game in the final minute of the first half, then opening the second by taking the lead 14-7. Canada did not let up however, with Logan scoring her second of the match in the 11th minute, converted by Olivia Apps to bring the game back to a tie. A tense final few minutes saw both teams looking for a winning try, and it was Daniels who was successful, securing a 19-14 victory for Canada in the 14th minute and sending them to the semi-finals. 

“I couldn’t have done it without my team making those calls for me and backing me to do that,” Logan said of her two tries. “To know that they have that belief in me to do that and make that big call is pretty exciting. And to play in front of that crowd–wow. Indescribable, really.

“We’re just so close [as a team]. I think that’s something that we’ve built and put a lot of emphasis on in our training over the last few years, is really building this cohesion and trusting each other. I think with trust comes performance and with performance comes trust, and so we’ve come a long way with that.” 

“Every game to us is a final and an opportunity to prove ourselves and just to do what we’ve been doing every single day in training for the last three and a half years,” said Charity Williams. “Obviously there’s 60,000 people cheering against us, but we love a little adversity and the underdogs come out on top sometimes.”

Earlier in the day, Canada wrapped pool play against China. While China scored first, Williams collected her first of two in the fifth minute of play; Canada moved the ball swiftly across the field and into the hands of Williams for the try, with Apps getting the conversion to tie the game 7-7. Florence Symonds sidestepped China’s defence to increase Canada’s lead to 14-7 at the end of the first half, her try converted by Daniels. 

China scored early in the second half, but missed the conversion. Williams gave Canada a more comfortable lead with her second try, finding space down the middle of the field and scoring between the uprights, with another conversion from Daniels putting Canada up 21-12. The game ended with one more try for each team, with Logan scoring for Canada. The 26-17 win put Canada second in Pool A.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will now meet Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday July 30 at 7:00am PT / 10:00am ET / 4:00pm CET. All matches can be watched live at cbcsports.ca. 

An injury update was also released on Monday. Krissy Scurfield sustained an injury on July 28 in the match against New Zealand, and following extensive medical assessment, will miss the rest of the tournament. Alternate Taylor Perry, wearing number 13, stepped in for Scurfield for both of Monday’s matches, and will replace her on the roster for the remainder of Paris 2024. Keyara Wardley was ruled out for the quarter-final against France due to injury. Alternate Shalaya Valenzuela replaced Wardley for the match, wearing number 14.

For more information on the Paris 2024 Olympic women’s rugby sevens competition, including scores, schedule and more, visit world.rugby.

July 28 Results 

Canada 17 - 14 Fiji
Pool Play
Tries: Florence Symonds, Charity Williams, Keyara Wardley
Conversions: Chloe Daniels

Canada 7 - 33 New Zealand
Pool Play
Tries: Charity Williams
Conversions: Asia Hogan-Rochester

July 29 Results 

Canada 26 - 17 China
Pool Play
Tries: Piper Logan, Florence Symonds, Charity Williams (2)
Conversions: Olivia Apps, Chloe Daniels (2)

Canada 19 - 14 France
Quarter-final
Tries: Piper Logan (2), Chloe Daniels
Conversions: Olivia Apps, Chloe Daniels 

July 30 Schedule 

Canada vs Australia
Semi-final 
7:00am PT / 10:00am ET / 4:00pm CET
Stream live at CBC Sports (additional broadcast details TBA)

Canada vs TBA 
Gold Final or Bronze Final
Bronze Final kicks off at 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET / 7:00pm CET
Gold Final kicks off at 10:45am PT / 1:45pm ET / 7:45pm CET 
Stream live at CBC Sports (additional broadcast details TBA)

*Please note that the Olympic television broadcast schedule is subject to change, but that all matches will be available live and for free on cbcsports.ca and CBC Gem.