The first stop of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series kicked off in Dubai on Saturday, with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team progressing to quarter-finals and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team to the ninth place semi-finals following pool play.
The first stop of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series kicked off in Dubai on Saturday, with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team progressing to quarter-finals and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team to the ninth place semi-finals following pool play.
After a 29-0 loss to France in their opening match, Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team faced the United States in what was a rematch of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games gold medal final. The Americans scored first, but Krissy Scurfield burst away in the fifth minute to tie the match 5-5. The USA regained their lead in the 12th minute, but a crucial score from Charity Williams in extra time tied the match yet again. It was a golden point victory for Canada, with Carissa Norsten speeding down the wing to score her first career SVNS Series try and the 15-10 game winner for Canada.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team’s win over Spain to close out pool play helped book their tickets to the quarter-finals. Alysha Corrigan played a role in Canada’s first two tries, offloading the ball to the try scorers, Florence Symonds and Caroline Crossley. Spain scored in the fifth minute to close the gap 10-7, but runs by Williams and Piper Logan, converted by Chloe Daniels, gave Canada a 24-7 lead at half-time. With her two-try performance on day one in Dubai, Williams has officially surpassed 400 career world series points and 450 career international sevens points. Spain managed to score once more, but tries from Asia Hogan-Rochester and Norsten, both converted by Hogan-Rochester, gave Canada the 38-12 win.
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team opened pool play with a close match-up against New Zealand, the reigning series champions. Down 5-0, David Richard offloaded the ball to Josiah Morra, who dodged New Zealand’s defence to score. A conversion from Cooper Coats gave Canada a 7-5 lead. New Zealand went back up 12-7 in the fifth minute, but a hard line ran by Jake Thiel through a gap in New Zealand’s defence tied the score, Coats’ conversion helping Canada regain its lead. Matt Oworu reached 50 career international sevens points with his try between the uprights. Coats went three for three on conversions, and Canada took a 21-12 lead. New Zealand secured a 26-21 win however, scoring two tries in the final minutes, with Canada taking a bonus point.
South Africa took a 21-0 lead at half-time against Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team in their next match, but Kal Sager opened the second half with a barreling run ending in a try, converted by Coats. Lockie Kratz scored in extra time, with South Africa winning 35-14. The team concluded pool play with a 24-0 loss to Samoa.
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will now play Ireland in the quarter-finals at 9:52pm PT (December 2) / 12:52am ET (December 3). Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will play Great Britain in the ninth place semi-finals at 2:26am PT / 5:26am ET (December 3). Watch all matches live for free on RugbyPass TV.
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
Following the Dubai tournament, both teams will travel to South Africa for Cape Town SVNS (December 9-10, 2023). The first tournament of the new year will take place in Perth over January 26-28, 2024. Catch both teams in action on home soil at HSBC Vancouver Sevens (February 23-25, 2024) at BC Place. Buy tickets now at vansevens.com.