Canadian women to play for rugby seven bronze after loss to New Zealand

The Canadian men advanced to their Cup quarterfinals against Ireland despite losing 28-0 to No. 2 South Africa in their final pool match. After being upset 14-12 by Scotland earlier in the day, the South Africans needed to beat Canada to make the quarterfinals.

South Africa, Canada and Scotland all finished with seven points from 2-1-0 records in Pool B but South Africa won the pool and Canada finished second on point differential, relegating Scotland to consolation play.

Canada have only played the Irish — a non-core team, which was invited to play after earning a shock bronze medal last week in London — three times on the circuit, winning twice.

South Africa, which won the opening event of the season in Dubai, has finished in the top four in all nine events to dates.

Ryan Oosthuizen opened the scoring for the Blitzboks against Canada, flying the length of the field after the ball popped out of a ruck in the South African end.

Connor Brad was sin-binned late in the first half for a neck-roll while clearing out a South African at a ruck, with Werner Kok crossing the line soon after for a 14-0 halftime lead. The Canadians turned the ball over five times in the first half.

Dewald Human added another converted try for a 21-0 lead early in the second half with Canada still down a man. Seabelo Senatal increased the lead to 28-0, literally walking his way to the goalposts after Canada, knowing it was moving on to the final eight, failed to follow him when he beat a pair of tacklers to burst into the open.

The win improved South Africa’s career record against Canada to 45-0. Canada last beat the Blitzboks (by a 26-15 margin) in Wellington, New Zealand, in February 2013.

The Canadian women advanced to Sunday’s semifinal against New Zealand after hanging on for a 26-24 quarterfinal win over the U.S.

Trailing 26-19 with seconds remaining after Bianca Farella’s 99th World Series try, American speedster Naya Tapper outraced Charity Williams to close the gap to two with her second try of the day. But the conversion attempt was wide, giving Canada the win and some revenge for a last-second 28-26 loss to the Americans on a late Tapper in the quarterfinals at Langford, B.C.

Lauren Doyle and Kristen Thomas also scored tries for the Americans. Williams, Ghislaine Landry and Britt Benn, with her 49th career World Series try, replied for Canada.

The Canadian women came to Paris, the last stop on the circuit, tied for fourth in the season table with the U.S. on 44 points. Australia topped the table with 74 points, ahead of New Zealand at 70 and France at 54.

Saturday’s win means the Canadian women will finish ahead of the Americans in the standings.

Canada has finished third in the World Series four times in the last five seasons. It was runner-up the other year.

The Canadian men, who came in the tournament ninth in the overall standings, opened Saturday with wins of 33-7 over No. 15 Russia and 26-14 over No. 11 Scotland.

Mike Fuailefau scored his 50th World Series try in the victory over Russia with Nate Hirayama, Harry Jones, Justin Douglas and Admir Cejvanovic also touching down.

After Scotland opened the scoring, Canada roared back with Douglas scoring three tries and Hirayama adding a single.

The men’s best finish this season was a fourth in Cape Town, losing to host South Africa in the bronze-medal game in the second stop of the Series.

They placed 11th in Dubai, 13th in Sydney, 11th in Hamilton, New Zealand, 10th in Las Vegas, 14th in Vancouver, 10th in Hong Kong and 10th in Singapore (where it won the previous season).

On Friday, the Canadian women defeated No. 6 Russia 31-5 and No. 10 Fiji 21-12 falling 31-14 to Australia on Day 1 of Paris play.

This season the Canadian women were fourth in Dubai, third in Sydney, Australia, 11th in Kitakyushu, Japan, — where injuries played havoc — and fifth in Langford.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Canadian women to play for rugby seven bronze after loss to New Zealand

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