Saturday, March 9, 2019 ~ VANCOUVER
~ West Shore Voice News [with notes by Bernadette Larose, Rugby Canada]
Rugby 7s Senior Men’s was showcased at BC Stadium today March 9 in Vancouver, and continues tomorrow March 10. Watch live on CBC.
HSBC Canada Sevens is the sixth stop in a 10-stop world tour as part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, featuring 16 of the world’s top men’s sevens teams.
March 9:
Canada vs. Samoa. Canada fell to Samoa in their first match of the day 38-7. Canada was greeted with roaring cheers from their home crowd, running out of the tunnel in BC Place. Scoring Canada’s lone try was Mike Fuailefau, getting an inside ball and stretching over the try line for the score. Captain Nathan Hirayama got the conversion. In the second half Samoa took over, scoring four unanswered tries and coming out victorious 38-7.
Canada vs. Fiji. Canada fired up the hometown fans with an all-important against third ranked Fiji, winning 26-19. Starting off the scoring for Canada was Matt Mullins on the wing from a Connor Braid pass. Then Braid got an inside ball from Luke McCloskey and sliding in to score. Nathan Hirayama added on the kick but Fiji were able to score just before the break and tied things up at 12 a piece. In the second half Mike Fuailefau crashed through the Fijian line to score, his second of the tournament so far. Harry Jones put Canada back in front after a Fijian try, dotting down between the posts. Hirayama was good for both conversions and sealed the Canadian victory, 26-19.
Canada vs. Kenya. In their last match of the day at 5:30 PST, Canada came out victorious against Kenya winning 36-12. Starting off the match the ball found it’s way through hands to move out wide to Matt Mullins for the try. A bumbling ball was then scooped up by Harry Jones and tossed out to Connor Braid who touched down over the try line. Braid remained dominate, breaking through a tackle to score his second. Kenya ended the half with two tries to cut Canada’s lead 19-12 at the half. Canada started the second half off with a third try from Braid, finding a hole in the line a slipping through. A TMO decision was needed when Admir Cejvanovic battled to get over the line. Refs ruled it a try and Canada went up 31-14. Canada made Kenya pay for an error deep in their end with Phil Berna crossing the try line for Canada’s final score of the day. Braid had two conversions on top of his hat trick, rounding out the dominate performance.
STANDING: Canada finished off the day third in their pool and now move on to the Challenge Trophy Quarterfinals against Spain tomorrow March 10. Kickoff is at 1:36 pm EDT/ 10:36 am PDT.
Canada Roster:
Phil Berna – UBC Thunderbirds (Vancouver, BC)
Connor Braid – James Bay AA (Victoria, BC)
Admir Cejvanovic – Burnaby Lake RFC (Burnaby, BC)
Mike Fuailefau – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
Nathan Hirayama – Captain, Unattached (Richmond, BC)
Harry Jones – Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
Isaac Kaay – UVIC Vikes (Kamloops, BC)
Pat Kay – Castaway Wanderers (Duncan, BC)
Luke McCloskey – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
Josiah Morra – Toronto Saracens (Toronto, ON)
Matt Mullins – James Bay AA (Belleville, ON)
Jake Thiel – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
Adam Zaruba – Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
RELATED:
- Argentina pulls out a win over Canada, March 1 at Westhills Stadium
- Team Captains ready for Canada vs Argentina March 1
- Canada beats Chle 56:0 in Langford, February 22
- Playing even if it snows (pre-game February 22, including roster)
- Article: Canada/Chile team captains this week (February 20)
- February 22 and March 1 games will be broadcast live at 7 pm PT on TSN 5. The game in Seattle on March 8 will be streamed live on www.tsn.ca/TSNApp
with a tape delay to 8pm PT on TSN 2.