Matthew Percillier scored two tries as the Canadians upset Australia 27-12 to keep their championship hopes alive, but the Canadians have their backs against the wall after losing their first two matches on Friday at the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament at BC Place in Vancouver.
Alex Russell of Montreal and Kalin Sager of Trent Lakes, Ont., also scored tries for the men who had lost their previous two games to Australia this season by a combined score of 55-14. Thomas Isherwood of Okotoks, Alta., added a try and two conversions.
After being thrashed 35-5 by Ireland in their opening match, the men took out their frustration on Australia in front of a loud, home crowd in the final game of the day.
“The first game really blew us away,” said Percillier, who was born in Victoria and now attends the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. “I’m incredibly proud of the boys. We really put our foot down their throats.
We had the momentum throughout the game, which is commendable.
A win Saturday against Chile would move Canada into the quarterfinals.
“The job is half done,” interim coach Sean White said. “I hope it’s the start of something special, but it all depends on how we react tomorrow.”
The women got tries from Bianca Farella of Montreal and Alysha Corrigan of Charlottetown, PEI, against American Chloe Daniels of Sutton, Ont., added a conversion.
“Any time you play the USA, it’s a battle,” Farella said. “It was a very tough game. It could have been anybody’s game.”
The women trailed 5-0 at halftime. Canada was strong defensively, but only managed to get through the middle once.
Farella scored on a beautiful cut early in the second half to give Canada a 7-5 lead. The Americans responded with two tries in the minute.
Farella is playing in her 44th tournament in sevens, tying her with Australia’s Sharni Williams for the most on the all-time list.
“It’s a huge milestone for me,” he said. “It’s nice to be this far into my career and make milestones.”
WATCHES | Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series Vancouver — Canada vs. United States:
Catch the Canadian men’s national team in a tough match against the United States in Vancouver.
The Canadians (0-2) need a win Saturday against Brazil (0-2) to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals. Ireland and USA lead Pool C 2-0.
The top two teams from the three groups qualify, along with the two best third-placed teams.
The top two teams from the four men’s groups advance to the quarterfinals.
The men entered the tournament ranked 14th in the overall World Rugby Sevens Series rankings and are fighting to avoid relegation.
They need to reach the quarter-finals of the next four tournaments – while managing wins when playing the teams ahead of them – to earn enough points to move up to 11th or better and avoid a relegation play-off.
The men controlled the ball early against Ireland but were unable to get going up the pitch. Ireland built a 21-0 halftime lead by scoring three rubbers in less than four minutes.
Sager scored Canada’s only try of the second half.
“We struggled to keep possession,” said Sager, who is playing in his first year in the World Rugby Sevens Series. “We didn’t make it.
“They got us some good steals. Hopefully we start the next one with as much energy as we left.”
WATCHES | World Rugby Men’s Sevens Series Vancouver — Canada vs. Ireland:
Catch Canada’s men’s national team in a tough match against Ireland in Vancouver.
The score was slightly improved as the men lost 22-0 to Ireland in last weekend’s Los Angeles Sevens.
Keyara Wardley of Vulcan, Alta., scored the only Canadian try in the final minute in the women’s opening loss to Ireland.
Head coach Jack Hanratty said some mistakes early on put his team on the back foot.
The first games were played before the school children who were invited called for the opening day of the tournament, which ends on Sunday. By afternoon there were fans in costumes ranging from a group of white snow monsters, sailors, lots of loud floral shirts and a few bananas.
The tournament was expanded to include 12 women’s teams competing at the same time as the men.
The World Series is reducing the number of men’s primary teams for the 2024 season from 16 to 12, to equal the number of women’s teams and align with the Olympic structure.
The Canadians have 16 points and are in 10th place after four stops on their tour.
The top four men’s and women’s teams at the end of the season will automatically qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.