Rugby was long a sport with a fiercely loyal, but fringe, following in Canada.

It ran deep but narrow.

article continues below

But its appeal seems to be widening. The Canadian Beardos created a bit of a buzz at the 2011 men’s World Cup and the women’s national team built on that momentum in its run to the World Cup championship game last year. Sevens, with its connection to the Olympics beginning at Rio 2016, has been integral to this newfound exposure for the sport.

It continues with the World Series women’s sevens tournament Saturday and Sunday at Westhills Stadium in Langford. It is the fourth of six qualifying tournaments this year for the 2016 Summer Olympics, from which the top-four teams will advance to Rio, and the first World Series tournament hosted by Canada in advance of the first IRB men’s sevens series tournament in Canada next spring at B.C. Place.

“It’s exciting for us to finally be playing a World Series tournament in front of our own fans,” said veteran national team XVs and sevens star Kelly Russell, after a practice Wednesday at PISE.

“It being broadcast live on TSN [Sunday’s final-day action from Westhills Stadium], will showcase our sport even more across the country. That will lead in nicely to the Pan Am Games this summer in Toronto, where one year out from the Olympics, we can gain some valuable experience of what it’s like to be in a multi-sport Games environment.”

Canada is currently tied for second place in the World Series standings with Australia on 48 points. New Zealand leads with 60 points. France with 38 points and the U.S. with 36 round out the top-five. The top-four teams after the six tournaments will qualify for Rio 2016.

Langford is the fourth tournament after previous stops in Dubai, Sao Paulo and Atlanta. The final two tournaments will be May 15-16 at Twickenham near London and May 22-23 in Amsterdam.

“Every point is important as we attempt to qualify for Rio,” said Russell.

“But it’s important, also, that we focus more on the process than on the outcome. And that everybody stays focused on their roles.”

Russell, whose steady and sturdy performances have helped build Canadian women’s rugby on the pitch, said it’s important to keep building on the momentum of the last few years.

“The Canadian rugby community is passionate but small, so it’s great to be so well received in [wider] support from across the country. It means so much to us,” said the native of Toronto.

Canada opens Pool C play on Saturday at 12:50 p.m. against Russia, 3:50 p.m. against South Africa and 6:50 p.m. against the United States.

Pool A in Langford will consist of series leader New Zealand, along with England, Fiji and Spain. Pool B will feature Australia, France, Brazil and China. The top two in each pool, plus the top two third-place teams, after Saturday advance to the quarterfinals Sunday morning, leading to the semifinals and final later in the day.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com

Twitter.com/tc_vicsports