Share this Story: Canada Sevens day 2 recap: Third-time lucky for South Africa while Canadians hit Aussie wall, finish 10th Canada Sevens day 2 recap: Third-time lucky for South Africa while Canadians hit Aussie wall, finish 10th The Canada Sevens was another great big show, even if the home town team finished 10th. Photo by BEN NELMS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content So the Canadians pulled off their fifth-ever win against Fiji on Saturday but it wasn’t enough to get them into the cup quarterfinals on Sunday at the 2019 Canada Sevens. They managed big wins over Spain and Scotland but ran out of gas in the Challenge Trophy final against Australia, finishing tenth on the day. The cup final itself features South Africa for the third time and a surprising France, who will record their best finish on the season no matter the result. The South Africans have never won in Vancouver, losing the 2016 and 2017 finals. 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Article content Catch up with all the action from Saturday with our day one recap here. 7:30 p.m. What a weekend. South Africa wins their first Vancouver title, after three attempts. They defeated France 21-12, on the strength of some powerful defence and a trio of opportunistic scores. “I always like coming back to Vancouver,” South African coach Neil Powell said afterwards. “I’m happy for the guys, especially after last weekend in Vegas. There’s a lot of expectation back at home. It’s great the youngsters started to gel on the field.” “It’s a difficult season. Everybody at every single tournament put all their energy into every game. I think it’s because of those four spots that are up for grabs for automatic Olympic qualification (South Africa are fourth), I think it’s going to be tough to keep up the pace for the last four (tournaments). “It almost felt like we’ve had two seasons in a row, what with last year having the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup, it’s going to be tough to keep up mentally as much as physically.” France was the most unlikely of finalists, appearing in its first Cup final since 2012 and chasing a first title in 14 years. The French were only 15th at the Las Vegas Sevens and were beaten 45-7 by New Zealand in their opening pool match in Vancouver. France coach Jérôme Daret was visibly pleased about his team’s performance even if they lost in the final. “We know we have power, we know we have potential but we have to come to believe,” he said after the game. His team did that this weekend, with the comprehensive semi-final defeat of the USA a standout performance. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Sevens in France is not a high profile game, he noted, and the season is a long struggle to find players to fill out his squad, but he was upbeat. “We give the way, and I think we made a good signal this weekend,” he said. France was the most unlikely of finalists, appearing in its first Cup final since 2012 and chasing a first title in 14 years. The French were only 15th at the Las Vegas Sevens and were beaten 45-7 by New Zealand in their opening pool match in Vancouver. And before we go, a plea from the Canadians as Olympic qualification looms larger and larger. “They boys will complain about it but a little more support would be great,” Canada captain Harry Jones said, alluding to the current funding challenges the men’s sevens squad is facing. “We lost a few guys due to just a lack of support and a lack of S&C (strength and conditioning) full time, that does hurt. But at the end of the day, those boys put it out there.” His coach echoed similar sentiments, noting the list of injuries his team was battling. “We just showed a glimpse of what we’re capable of.<doc-sep>It is always, "They," never, "We." It is the first and most important rule of sports broadcasting. I am not paid to be a homer or a cheerleader; I'm paid to be impartial and objective. Without exception, balance is essential. From time to time that is easier said than done. Like you, I am a fan at heart; a supporter of the game and of Team Canada. Show me someone who doesn't love an underdog and I'll show you someone who doesn't grasp the emotional attachment necessary to maximize the experience. It is a simple concept. The lesser team, often with the benefit of noisy, passionate fans, ups its game. The players respond to the vocal encouragement, not wanting to let down the paying spectators. A unique bond is born and the result is a powerful combination. That is what happened when Canada played Fiji in Vancouver. There is no other logical explanation. No doubt the Canadians felt they owed the fans a performance following a meek loss in their pool opener against Samoa. The hosts going head to head with the defending champions. The Canadians massive underdogs against a team of physically huge and technically brilliant athletes. Even the most optimistic and ardent Canadian supporter must have feared the worst. I checked my game notes one more time. The portents were ominous. Canada had beaten Fiji only four times in 51 all-time meetings. This could get ugly and predictably lopsided in a hurry. The narrative was surely set – a routine Fijian win would naturally ensue. What followed will live long in the memory. Canada defied the odds to build an early lead, only for Fiji to level matters at halftime. The hosts got ahead again after the interval only to be pegged back a second time. In a rousing finale, Canada kept its nerve and executed one final time to beat the Olympic champions. It was one game. Its outcome was immaterial to the eventual standings at the Canada Sevens. But it was a moment that illustrated both the best and the worst of Canadian rugby. WATCH | The entire Canada vs. Fiji match: World Rugby Men's Sevens Series Vancouver: Canada vs. Fiji Sports 22:41 Watch Canada battle Fiji at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver. 22:41 No consistency Let's assume the glass is half full. Canada has the technical ability and collective commitment to beat the best. This was no fluke result. Canada, elevated by its boisterous fans, found another gear and the belief to post a famous win. Ironically it also served to highlight Canada's main weakness. In a word: inconsistency. It is endlessly frustrating. Canada CAN do it, just not on a regular enough basis. It is an Achilles heel that refuses to heal. I am certain Canada does not want to be regarded as a "once in a while" team. It has the talent but all too frequently the composure is lacking. It is, by definition, a vicious cycle. Without the confidence that only comes from the ability to execute, mistakes are bound to repeat themselves. The Canadians can learn from their neighbours. Team USA has been model of consistency this season and demonstrated the capacity to recover efficiently after setbacks. It is this mental toughness that is so often the difference between elite athletes, regardless of the sport. History will show another Canada Sevens where the hosts failed to make the quarter-finals, mush less threaten the podium. There are no medals for finishing 10th but Canada showed, albeit fleetingly, what can be achieved. As for the fans, they didn't put a foot wrong. There are great rugby venues across the globe and Vancouver is becoming one of them. It is an annual festival with fancy dress in all its splendor providing the most colourful and entertaining backdrop to complement the action on the pitch. They clearly enjoyed the weekend entertainment, and it is gratifying to hear Vancouver will continue to host this feast of rugby for at least the next four years. Ultimately Canada finished where they should – well down the pecking order. But for 14 magical minutes against Fiji the fans were on their feet. Me too.<doc-sep>The All Blacks Sevens have responded well to a shock defeat at the hands of Spain. New Zealand scored six tries in a demolition job over Australia, running out 36-12 winners to book a spot in the cup quarter-finals of the Vancouver Sevens. It was just the performance coach Clark Laidlaw was hoping for after Spain caused one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Series, scoring a last gasp 26-24 win over New Zealand. With the All Blacks Sevens leading 24-19 late in the match, Spain had one last attack - and they converted in style as Joan Losada raced away down the wing, before offloading the ball back infield to Pol Pla to score the match-winning try, stunning the Canadian crowd. That loss was even more surprising given New Zealand opening 45-7 day one win over France. Three-first half tries had the ABs up 19-0 at the break with Joe Ravouvou, Sam Dickson and Tim Mikkelson all crossing the line. Ravouvou grabbed a double I the opening minute of the second frame to put the result to bed before Australia got on the board with three minutes remaining. Ngarohi McGarvey Black and Vilimoni Koroi added a further two tries before the later was yellow carded with time up. Australia capitalised, scoring a consolation try through John Porch New Zealand qualified top alongside France who topped both Australia and Spain on day one action. The All Blacks Sevens scoring top spot through a superior point's differential. New Zealand will face Fiji in the quarter-final. Newshub.<doc-sep>The former Game of Thrones star was jumping around and cheering on the sidelines in his vintage All Blacks jersey Aquaman actor Jason Momoa steals show at Vancouver Sevens From Game of Thrones to the game of sevens, Hollywood star Jason Momoa made the most of his day out at the Vancouver leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series. The Aquaman actor was in the touchline box at BC Place, cheering loudly for the All Blacks sevens. Some spotted that the 39-year-old was wearing a vintage All Blacks jersey while soaking up the atmosphere. As you will see from the video above, the actor was pretty excited, saying “That was so epic!” Asked what it was about rugby he loved, he said: “It’s just the ultimate sport, to me. There’s no pads. I grew up in America we didn’t have this much, especially where I grew up we played more hockey. But when I went down and lived in Australia and New Zealand… it’s just my favourite.” On the tournament as a whole he added: “I’ve never seen the sevens before… It’s so great and fast-paced: I love it”. South Africa won the Vancouver Sevens, defeating France 21-12 in the final. Selvyn Davids was named HSBC player of the final after scoring one of South Africa’s three tries and also converting all of those scores. The Blitzboks defeated Fiji in the semi-finals, while France knocked out the USA – ending the Eagles’ run of consecutive finals, after their victory in Las Vegas last week. Fiji went on to win the Bronze Final against the Eagles, too. For the man who played Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, though, there was only one team he was interested in meeting… Oh, and look who else pooped up in the box! The Sevens World Series now takes a brief pause before the next two legs for the men in Hong Kong (5-7 April) and Singapore (13-14 April). The next leg for the Women’s series takes place in Kitakyushu (20-21 April). Follow Rugby World on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram<doc-sep>
A depleted Canadian team ran out gas, losing 35-21 to Australia in the Challenge Trophy final Sunday at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament in Vancouver. Injuries reduced Canada's roster to 11 players from 13. The gruelling toll of playing six games over two days also showed as Canada struggled to crack the Australian defence. WATCH | The entire Canada vs. Australia match: World Rugby Men's Sevens Series Vancouver: Challenge Trophy Final - Canada vs. Australia Sports 23:53 Watch Canada face off with Australia in the Challenge Trophy Final at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver. 23:53 "We're down a few guys, but the boys really ground it out," said Harry Jones of West Vancouver. "I'm really proud of them." Canada began the two-day tournament with an embarrassing 38-7 loss to Samoa Saturday morning. The team regrouped to win four straight matches before dropping the consolation final to finish 10th among 16 teams. "We had to marshal the troops a little bit," said head coach Damian McGrath. "There were a lot of positives. We showed a glimpse of what we were capable of if we were well resourced, well supported and staffed like other teams." At the beginning of the season the Rugby 7s players were in a dispute with Rugby Canada management over compensation and the dismissals of Lee Douglas, who acted as a strength and conditioning coach, and long-time manager Brian Hunter. Jones alluded to the dispute when summing up the weekend. "A lot of things go into it and the boys will never complain about anything," he said. "A little more support would be great. "We lost a few guys due to a lack of support and the proper [strength and condition coach] full time. It does hurt at the end of the day, but those boys put it out there 110 per cent and that's what good Canadian boys do." WATCH | The entire Canada vs. Scotland match: World Rugby Men's Sevens Series Vancouver: Gold Medal Match - South Africa vs. France Sports 42:16 Watch South Africa face off with France in the gold medal match at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver. 42:16 South Africa defeated France 21-12 to win the tournament championship. Fiji, which won last year's event in Vancouver, defeated the U.S. 24-14 in the bronze-medal game. The U.S. continues to lead the overall Rugby 7s standings with 113 points, followed by New Zealand (106), Fiji (101) and South Africa (89). Canada is 12th with 35 points. The competition drew a total attendance of 73,819. WATCH | South Africa wins tournament championship: World Rugby Men's Sevens Series Vancouver: Canada vs. Scotland Sports 22:19 Watch Canada battle Scotland at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver. 22:19 'Grinding all week' Canada advanced to the consolation final by overcoming a 14-0 half-time deficit to defeat Scotland 19-14. Isaac Kaay crashed over for the winning try on the last play of the game. "We have been grinding all week," said Kaay, of Kamloops, B.C. "We're showing now how much grit [we have]. There is no give-up on this team. That's what Canadian rugby is all about." Canada's best finish this season in Rugby 7s was a tie for seventh at a tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand. Reaching the Challenge Trophy final is a confidence boost heading into the final four tournaments of the season. "No one likes to play in the bottom half," said Kaay. "This is the first semifinal of any kind we've won this year. It's a step in the right direction for us." WATCH | The entire Canada vs. Spain match: World Rugby Men's Sevens Series Vancouver: Canada vs. Spain Sports 24:46 Watch Canada battle Spain at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver. 24:46 Among the injuries, captain Nathan Hirayama was sidelined with fractured ribs while Adam Zaruba was out with a foot injury. One of the players filling the void was Connor Braid, who scored six tries over the weekend and helped set up two scores in the win over Scotland. "We were joking we have to get a bigger door to fit his head through," Kaay said about Braid. "The guys has grown in confidence, been a real big leader for us. "He's changed as a leader as the weekend has gone on. As a player it's amazing to watch him evolve from a guy who would speak a lot to a guy who is saying very little and is just showing in his play."