A short memory is a handy trait in sevens rugby, a sport known for its whiplash turnabouts.

“If you dwell too much on past results, you won’t be prepared for the next game or tournament,” said Canadian star Phil Mack of Victoria.

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The Langford-based national team returned to the Island on Monday following an underachieving run through the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, which ended at 1-4-1, following an impressive 24-7 Shield semifinal victory Sunday over England before a 24-12 loss to Samoa in the Shield final.

The loss to Samoa will be closely dissected because the last-chance Olympic qualifier June 18-19 in Monaco is expected to come down to a Canada-Samoa final for the 12th and final berth into the 2016 Rio Summer Games. Canada is 1-2 against Samoa this year.

“The whole team is disappointed with where we finished in Las Vegas,” said Mack.

Especially with one of the biggest moments in team history coming up Saturday and Sunday with the first-ever Canada Sevens at B.C. Place, for which the upper deck has now been opened after all 28,000 seats in the lower bowl sold out. More than 2,400 upper-bowl tickets were sold in the first 24 hours, guaranteeing crowds in excess of 30,000 for each day of the Canada Sevens tournament.

“It’s going to be a special moment for us, for sure, when we step onto the pitch at B.C. Place,” said Mack.

“It’s amazing how many family and friends I have going over for it.”

Mack, whose non-stop motor and relentless devotion to the game overcame his lack of size, became the first Canadian player, and the 29th in sevens history, to make 50 World Series tournament appearances.

“It was a special feeling . . . really cool . . . to pass that milestone in Las Vegas,” said the 30-year-old Oak Bay High and UVic Vikes grad, who will retire at the end of this year.

The Canadian team at Las Vegas consisted of Mack, Mike Fuailefau and Sean White of Victoria; UVic Vikes grads Nathan Hirayama, Lucas Hammond and Sean Duke; Pat Kay of Duncan; captain John Moonlight from the James Bay Athletic Association; Admir Cejvanovic of Burnaby Lake; Justin Douglas of Abbotsford; Harry Jones of Capilano; Conor Trainor of Vancouver; Adam Zaruba of Capilano.

The team will practice at Westhills Stadium before crossing the strait this week for their moment in the B.C. Place spotlight.

The world No. 2 Langford-based Canadian women’s sevens team, which has qualified for the Rio Olympics, will host the Canada Sevens on April 16-17 at Westhills Stadium.

CONVERTS: There are numerous categories to the Las Vegas Sevens weekend. The Rugby B.C. teams swept to four titles by winning the women’s U-20, U-18, U-16 and men’s U-18 championships.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com

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