The Langford-based Canadian men’s rugby team arrives back to winter on the Island today after having played some of the most feared nations in the sport under the searing summer sun of South Africa, and coming away with a commendable fourth-place finish at the Cape Town Sevens.
“We are not completely shocked or surprised,” said captain Harry Jones, in a post-match interview with tournament organizers.
“Our coach [Damian McGrath] noted it’s our fourth semifinals of this calendar year, which is pretty good for us. The boys moved the ball around and kept it simple.”
Canada defeated France 35-7 in the quarter-finals Sunday to avenge a 28-21 loss to the French the week before in the consolation side of the 2017-18 World Series season-opening Dubai Sevens.
Canada, however, was edged 14-12 by Argentina in a pulse-racing semifinal after leading 12-7. The Canadians also played host South Africa, and World Series second-place Blitzboks, tough in the bronze-medal game. But the 2016 Rio Olympic bronze-medallist South Africans recorded a tight 19-17 decision despite two tries by former University of Victoria Vikes star Nathan Hirayama and his chip kick, which allowed Jones to also score.
“[Hirayama’s] playmaking ability makes it so much better for the rest of us,” said Jones.
Canada went 2-1 in pool play with the set-piece being its 22-14 upset of Fiji, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist, and the most fabled team in the sevens game. Canada also beat Wales 31-14, but dropped a 19-17 decision to Samoa.
In a major accomplishment for McGrath’s Canadian program, SMUS grad Mike Fuailefau of Victoria and Justin Douglas of Abbotsford were named to the seven-player Cape Town tournament Dream Team.
Canada jumped to seventh place in the World Series standings on 20 points. New Zealand, which dissected Argentina 38-14 in the Cape Town championship game, tops the table at 41 points with South Africa second on 39 points and Fiji third on 28.
On the Canadian team were Pat Kay of Duncan, Fuailefau and Connor Braid, both of Victoria, UVic Vikes products Hirayama, Lucas Hammond and Isaac Kaay, John Moonlight of James Bay, Phil Berna, Admir Cejvanovic, Matt Mullins, Liam Underwood, Douglas and Jones.
The Rio Olympics bronze-medallist Canadian women’s team, also based in Langford, opened its World Series season with fourth place two weeks ago in the Dubai Sevens. There was no World Series event in Cape Town for the women.
The Canadian men’s and women’s teams will now train at Westhills Stadium in preparation for the Sydney Sevens on Jan. 26-28.
