Canada rugby team defeats Spain

VANCOUVER –

A 26-21 win over Spain introduced some pleasure however did little to ease the sting of Canada’s earlier two losses throughout Saturday’s opening day of play on the on the HSBC Canada Sevens rugby event at BC Place Stadium.

“The primary two video games had been a bit disappointing,” mentioned Brock Webster, who scored the deciding strive for Canada within the sport’s eleventh minute and likewise kicked a convert. “We now have to be extra hungry.

“We’re fairly stoked from that efficiency. Hopefully we will convey extra momentum tomorrow.”

The win was simply the second for Canada of their final 14 video games. It got here after a 26-10 loss to Australia and 19-14 defeat by the hands of South Africa.

Coming into the event, head coach Henry Paul mentioned Canada’s aim was to achieve the quarterfinals. With the 2 losses, the very best Canada can end is ninth. To try this, they need to win all three video games Sunday.

Paul mentioned his younger staff stays a piece in progress.

“Because the season unfolds, we’re nonetheless studying so much about ourselves,” he mentioned. “We’re nonetheless looking for our identification and the way we play.

“Over the course of the season there have been moments after we’ve been taking part in some unbelievable attacking rugby. There was defending moments. We have to string them collectively.”

A house-town crowd of 17,647 bellowed their approval as Canada constructed a 19-7 lead towards Spain. The Canadians fell behind 21-19 within the second half earlier than managing the win.

David Richard, Elias Ergas and Brennig Prevost additionally scored tries. Cooper Coats kicked a pair of converts.

Canada face Japan Sunday morning.

Within the opening loss to Australia, Canada constructed a 10-0 lead with lower than two minutes gone on tries by Alex Russell and Jake Thiel earlier than Australia stormed again with 26 unanswered factors.

Within the sport towards South Africa, Canada trailed 12-0 at halftime then battled again for a 14-12 lead off tries from Richard and Coats earlier than shedding 19-14. Coats kicked two converts.

“We’re gutted man, we’re so dissatisfied with that loss,” mentioned Thiel, who together with captain Phil Berna, is without doubt one of the few veterans remaining on the younger Canadian staff.

“The boys confirmed a lot coronary heart on the market.”

A complete of 10 veterans retired from the sevens staff that completed eighth on the Tokyo Olympics.

Canada performed robust defence towards South Africa however had bother with their throw-ins on a number of line outs and likewise coughed up the ball a few instances.

“Easy errors however that is among the finest groups on the earth,” mentioned Thiel. “We hung with them. We scared them. We scared Australia.”

Berna mentioned the Canadians could not keep the early momentum they constructed towards Australia.

“We now have to shut out video games like that and study to handle it higher,” he mentioned. “That is sort of the factor with a younger staff. Issues sort of get away from you typically. I am pleased with how we began there.”

Canada completed third within the robust Pool C with 5 factors. Unbeaten South Africa was first with 9 factors whereas Australia (2-1-0) was second with 7.

Fiji (3-0-0) topped Pool A with 9 factors adopted by England (1-2-0) with 5. In Pool B, New Zealand had 9 factors from an ideal file, whereas Samoa (2-1-0) was second.

Argentina and France had been tied on prime of Pool D with eight factors type 2-0-1 information.

The highest two groups from every pool advance on the championship aspect.

Among the many vibrant and imaginative costumes Saturday had been a gaggle of penguins, a number of pink pigs, some Teletubbies, the Seven Dwarfs, full with lengthy gray beards, workmen in pink exhausting hats and vests, angels of assorted sizes, the entire Flintstone household and numerous furry creatures, many with drinks of their paws. A gaggle of inexperienced aliens danced with some astronauts in white fits.

The Canadian males have 24 factors within the first 5 tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens Collection, leaving them tied for thirteenth place with Wales among the many 19 groups competing.

South Africa leads the standings with 98 factors after successful the primary 4 tournaments. Australia and Argentina are tied for second with 83 factors. Spain is ninth with 36 factors.

Canada’s finest outcome this yr was shedding within the quarterfinals of the event in Malaga, Spain.

Richard, who missed elements of the final two years as a result of a knee harm, has seen regular enchancment on the staff.

“We’re a younger staff and we’re positively constructing,” he mentioned. “Every sport I really feel like we’re getting just a bit bit higher, studying a little bit bit extra.

“I really feel prefer it’s trending in the best course.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 16, 2022.