Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team off to HSBC SVNS World Championship semi-finals in Los Angeles

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team has confirmed their spot in the HSBC SVNS World Championship semi-finals, with two wins in Los Angeles on Saturday to come second in Pool A. Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team had a loss to Uruguay and a win over Ireland on day one of the HSBC SVNS Play-off, with pool play continuing into Sunday.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team opened the tournament against Japan, with Asia Hogan-Rochester scoring their first of the day in the first minute of play. Canada spent much of the game in Japan’s half, with Florence Symonds adding a try for Canada under the posts, converted by Asia Hogan-Rochester, to put Canada up 12-0 at half-time.

The second half saw Hogan-Rochester score their second of the game and 20th of the season, becoming just the second Canadian player to score at least 20 tries in a season since Bianca Farella in 2019. Captain Olivia Apps added to the lead by scoring off the scrum. With both of Canada’s second half tries converted by Hogan-Rochester, Canada won 26-0.

Hogan-Rochester proved unstoppable again in Canada’s second match, scoring the opening try in the first minute against Great Britain. Charity Williams added a score for Canada, pushing off an attempted tackle en route, with Hogan-Rochester converting the try to put Canada up 12-0. Great Britain got on the board in the fourth minute, adding another in the seventh with Wiliams off the pitch due to a yellow card.

Canada started the second half leading 12-10, with Symonds and Apps both adding tries to give Canada a more comfortable lead, Hogan-Rochester converting both. Great Britain scored one more in extra time, but Canada took the win 26-17.

The team then faced New Zealand in their final pool play match. Down 14-0 in the sixth minute, Carissa Norsten scored Canada’s only try of the game. Despite a tough defensive stand, New Zealand scored once more before half-time to lead 19-5. The Black Ferns Sevens added four tries in the second half to win 41-5.

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will now play in the semi-finals at 12:40pm PT / 3:40pm ET on Sunday May 4. The match can be watched live on TSN+. The third place play-off and the final that will follow the semi-finals will be available on TSN1 and TSN+.

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team faced Uruguay in their first match of the HSBC SVNS play-off. Uruguay scored first, but Canada responded immediately, with Elias Hancock nearly scoring, his try being ruled no good. Canada put up a big defensive effort, but Uruguay managed one more before half-time to lead 12-0.

Uruguay scored two more tries in the second half, with Ethan Turner getting Canada on the board in extra time, receiving a nice offload from Jamie Armstrong and scoring between the uprights. He converted his own try, and Uruguay took the win 24-7.

Next up for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team was Ireland. It seemed like Armstrong had opened scoring in the first minute of play, but the try was ruled off. Ireland was instead the first the score, but Thomas Isherwood put Canada up 7-5 in the fifth minute, converting his own try. Kal Sager and Isherwood both nearly scored in the remaining minutes of the first half, with Ireland’s defence barely keeping them at bay.

Ireland retook the lead in the second half, but Morgan Di Nardo ensured that that wouldn’t last long, with a sprint down the field to score. His tried was converted by Turner to put Canada up 14-12. Kyle Tremblay powered past several Irish players to further that lead, with Canada holding strong to secure an important 19-12 win.

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team has one last pool play game remaining, and will play Germany on Sunday May 4 at 12:12pm PT / 3:12pm ET. The match can be watched 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.