April 30th, 2022 Langford, BC (ISN) – The women’s Canadian Sevens team suffered their first defeat of opening day action, falling to top-ranked Australia 28-5 at the Langford Sevens leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Tournament Series.
With the loss, Canada would post a 2-1 record to sit in second place in their respective pool and advance to the Cup quarter final round in a match no less favourable than their tilt against their Aussie match-up in day one. Canada will face New Zealand Sunday morning in a “breakfast club” match that will prove a daunting task for the young Canadian side. New Zealand, playing in their first tournament since CoVid restrictions were lifted, went undefeated in their pool. Holding both the USA and England scoreless in their first two matches, New Zealand would post a 12-12 draw against Fiji to advance.
Against Australia, Canada would play even against the team from down under, holding ball possession in their favour, until Austalia’s Charlotte Caslick would break the ice in extra time of the first half to put the Pearls up 7-0. Canada’s defensive effort of the first half would fall short in the second frame as Australia would dominate the pitch against the Canadian side, scoring three tries to take a commanding 28-0 lead.
Aussie Demi Hayes would score a single try, and Maddison Levi would add a pair of toys to cap the scoring. Canada would celebrate the small victories with a try of their own on the last play of the game. It would be Olivia De Couvreur that would receive the nod with Canada’s lone try to put the consolation points on the board.
With grit and determination assured, Canada will kick off to New Zealand on Sunday at 10:22 am PST at Starlight Stadium
