CANADA ADVANCE TO 24TH STRAIGHT CUP QUARTERFINAL

(Via Rugby Canada)

Canada’s women’s sevens team advanced to the Kitakyushu Sevens cup quarterfinals after finishing atop Pool C with a perfect 3-0 record.

It is the first ever HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series event to be held in Japan.

Canada opened day one action at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu with a 29-12 win over England.

They made it two wins from two with a convincing 43-5 win over Spain in their second match of pool play before claiming top spot in the pool with a 29-12 win over North American rivals USA.

Canada will play Russia in the cup quarterfinals.

It is Canada’s 24th straight HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens World Series cup quarterfinal.

Canada also hit 3,000 points all-time on the series, becoming only the third country to do so behind New Zealand and Australia.

What head coach John Tait said:

“Happy with the day, we got a lot of contributions from all 12 and only had a total of five turnovers all day. Looking after the ball like that really puts the opposition under pressure. We will need to stay connected on defence better again on day two against teams like Russia if we are to have a chance at the cup. They are the fastest team and if you get disjointed in defence they can score from anywhere. On attack we need to make the ball and defence move around, when we do that and find the speedsters we have like Bianca, Ghislaine, Charity and Julia then we can be a really tough draw for anyone.”

What captain Ghislaine Landry said:

“Really happy. Over the year we are looking to put in six good games and to build on day one like that is a big positive going into the quarterfinals. We have such dynamic athletes right now and to be able to switch up lineups like that, people can’t prepare for that kind of thing so it’s definitely an asset.”

“It’s always a physical battle against (USA), it’s a long standing rivalry but we’re happy that we showed up for that one and got the win.”

CANADA 29-12 ENGLAND

Canada opened Pool C play with a 29-12 win over England, a team that has caused problems for the Canadians in the past.

It’s been an evenly matched history between the two teams, with Canada entering the Kitakyushu Sevens with 10 wins in their previous 18 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series matches against England.

However, it’s been over a year since England last beat Canada on the series and that that streak was extended to another match with a comfortable win for the Canadians.

Bianca Farella got Canada on the board early with a try after an England penalty at their own five metre line.

Britt Benn was then shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and England responded shortly after with a try to bring the match to 7-5.

Captain Ghislaine Landry then extended her all-time series lead in points with a try off the back of a ruck and Canada held a 12-5 lead at half.

Canada came out rolling in the second half as Benn scored just a minute in to extend the lead to 17-5.

After England responded with a try to make it a 17-12 match, Benn grabbed her second try of the half as her brace gave the Canadians a 22-12 lead.

Julia Greenshields added some insurance in the final moments, racing down the touchline to leave the chasing English defenders in her dust.

CANADA 43-5 SPAIN

Canada showed glimpses of brilliance in a dominating 43-5 win over Spain in their second pool match of day one.

While they showed hesitance at times, Canada put together clinical finishes in successive possessions throughout the match to hand Spain their biggest defeat in the all-time matchup.

Canada opened the scoring through Sara Kaljuvee who touched down with a try after Canada controlled possession off of the opening kickoff.

Unfortunately for Kaljuvee, she would be injured shortly after and it was Spain taking advantage of their opponents playing with six players as a try evened the match 5-5.

From there, Canada controlled almost every aspect of the match.

Julia Greenshields used her pace for one try, on the next Canadian possession it was Breanne Nicholas scoring her first try of the tournament and then it was Hannah Darling scoring after the hooter as Canada scored three tries in three minutes to take a 22-5 lead into the break.

Spain showed much more fight in the opening minutes of the second half but were unable to find an opening in a strong defensive line from the Canadians.

Charity Williams then changed momentum with a try and Bianca Farella followed up with a brace in the final two minutes as Canada came away with the lopsided victory.

CANADA 29-12 USA

Canada has dominated the all-time matchup and the trend continued Saturday in Kitakyushu, Japan with a 29-12 win for the Canadians.

There was lots at stake, with the winner taking top spot in Pool C as both teams entered the match undefeated after two matches.

After USA opened the scoring, captain Ghislaine Landry put Canada past the 3,000 all-time points mark with a converted try to draw the match even 7-7.

Bianca Farella continued her scoring ways in Japan picking up her fourth try of the day to extend Canada’s lead to 14-7.

USA would hit back before the first half hooter and Canada’s lead was cut to 14-12 heading into the break.

After Landry added her second try of the match, Julia Greenshields dashed in for another try to give Canada a 24-12 lead.

Charity Williams would add some insurance with a late try.

Canada improved to 14-1-1 all-time against the USA.

Canada’s Las Vegas Sevens Roster (Name, club, hometown):

Britt Benn – Guelph Redcoats (Napanee, ON)

Hannah Darling – Peterborough Pagans (Warsaw, ON)

Bianca Farella – Town of Mont Royal (Montreal, QC)

Julia Greenshields – Sarnia Saints (Sarnia, ON)

Sara Kaljuvee – Toronto Scottish (Ajax, ON)

Jen Kish – Edmonton Rockers (Edmonton, AB)

Ghislaine Landry (captain) – Toronto Scottish (Toronto, ON)

Megan Lukan – Unattached (Barrie, ON)

Breanne Nicholas – London St. Georges (Blenheim, ON)

Ashley Steacy – Lethbridge Rugby Club (Lethbridge, AB)

Natasha Watcham-Roy – Hull Volant (Gatineau, QC)

Charity Williams – Markham Irish (Toronto, ON)

Coaching Staff:

Meaghan Howat – Manager

John Tait – Head Coach

Sandro Fiorino – Assistant Coach

Morgan Williams – Assistant Coach

Canada’s Kitakyushu Sevens Day 1 Schedule (Friday, April 21):

Canada 29-12 England

Canada 43-5 Spain

Canada 29-12 USA

Canada’s Kitakyushu Sevens Day 2 Schedule (Saturday, April 22):

Canada vs Russia at 9:52 pm ET / 6:52 pm PT