CANADA FINISHES SEVENTH AT HONG KONG 7S
(Via Rugby Canada)
Canada’s Hong Kong Sevens campaign came to an end Sunday after a narrow loss to Argentina in their fifth place semi-final.
However, more history was made by Nathan Hirayama as he became the first Canadian to score 1,000 careeer HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series points.
Earlier in the day, Canada lost its cup quarterfinal to Fiji.
On Day 1, Hirayama, who became only the third Canadian to play in 50 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series events, broke the Canadian points scoring record as he surpassed Phil Mack’s previous total of 973 points.
Jared Douglas, brother of Justin, also made his HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
CANADA 12-29 FIJI
Canada were beaten by Fiji after the defending series champions put on a masterful second half display.
Fiji opened the scoring less than 20 seconds in as Vatemo Ravouvou touched down but Canada came roaring back as Luke McCloskey scored his second try of the tournament.
Canada would then take a 12-5 lead as Lucas Hammond was awarded a try after crashing into the goal post padding but Fiji were able to tie things up at the break through Kalione Nasoko.
It was all Fiji in the second half though as tries from Ravouvou, Nasoko — who was the benificiary of an insane behind the back pass from Jerry Tuwai — and Sevuloni Mocenacagi completed a 29-12 win.
CANADA 19-20 ARGENTINA
Canada were cruelly denied a sublime comeback win as Franco Sabato’s last gasp try spared Argentina’s blushes.
The Argentinians came out storming in the first half as tries from Felipe del Mestre and Sabato (2) gave them a 15-0 lead at half time.
However, it was all Canada in the second half as Hirayama made more Canadian history by passing the 1,000 point plateau before Harry Jones dotted down after collecting Hirayama’s grubber kick, a play the pair had successfully connected on on Day 1.
Trailing 15-12, Canada took the lead through Lucas Hammond but were denied a thrilling win when Sabato collected his chip over the Canadian defence to score the game-winner on the final play of the game.
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Squad for Canada Sevens (Name, club, hometown):
Luke Bradley – (UVic Vikes/Port Alberni Black Sheep) Port Alberni, BC
Tevaughn Campbell – (Saskatchewan Roughriders) Scarborough, ON
Jared Douglas – (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
Justin Douglas – (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
Mike Fuailefau – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Lucas Hammond – (UVIC Vikes) Toronto, ON
Nathan Hirayama – (UVic Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC
Isaac Kaay – (UVic Vikes) Kamloops, BC
Pat Kay – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Duncan, BC
Luke McCloskey – (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
John Moonlight – Captain (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Josiah Morra – (Toronto Saracens) Toronto, ON
Matt Mullins – (Queen’s University/Ontario Blues) Belleville, ON
Unavailable for Selection:
Phil Berna – (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
Adam Zaruba – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach – Damian McGrath
Assistant Coach – Lee Douglas
Physiotherapist – Danielle Mah
Analyst – Calum Ramsay
Manager – Brian Hunter
Canada’s Hong Kong Sevens Day 1 Schedule:
Canada 17-14 Kenya
Canada’s Hong Kong Sevens Day 2 Schedule:
Canada 28-14 France
Canada 7-26 South Africa
Canada’s Hong Sevens Day 3 Schedule:
Canada 12-29 Fiji
Canada 19-20 Argentina
