China women and South Africa men secured the twelfth and…
HIGHLIGHTS | HSBC Canada Sevens 2023 | Day 2
The HSBC Canada Sevens tournament is set to conclude on Sunday after an exciting day of matches at BC Place Stadium on Saturday, which saw the semi-final line-up confirmed.
In the women’s event, Series leaders New Zealand will face France, while the USA will take on Dubai champions Australia on day three. On the men’s side, France and Australia will meet, and Argentina will take on Ireland.
Reigning women’s Series champions Australia, who failed to qualify for the Cup Final in Hamilton and Sydney, defeated Fiji in the first quarter-final. They will face off against the United States – who have medalled in every tournament this season – in the opening semi-final.
Series leaders New Zealand narrowly avoided an upset by defeating hosts Canada 10-5 in front of a packed house of fervent Canadian supporters. The Black Ferns will meet Sydney silver medallists France, who held off Great Britain, in Sunday’s second semi-final in their quest for four-straight Series titles.
South Africa, Fiji, and New Zealand missed out on semi-final spot
In the men’s competition, day two of the HSBC Canada Sevens took its toll on the top teams as South Africa, Fiji, and New Zealand failed to book their place in the final four. South Africa was knocked out in the group stage for the first time this season, while France proved that they have what it takes to compete with the world’s best by beating Great Britain with a clinical second-half performance.
Les Blues will meet Australia in Sunday’s first men’s semi-final after the Series leading New Zealand All Blacks Sevens were defeated by their Trans-Tasman rivals.
Argentina defeated Fiji in the dying moments of their quarter-final and will play their Cup semi-final against Ireland, who defeated USA in an extra-time thriller thanks to a try from Zac Ward in the 22nd minute of the match.
New Zealand currently sit atop the men’s Series standings with 107 points, followed by Argentina and South Africa tied for second with 86, and Fiji in fourth position with 84 points through six tournaments.
At the bottom end of the men’s Series, the stakes couldn’t be higher this season. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th-ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series, while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.
New Zealand lead the way
New Zealand sits firmly on top of the women’s leaderboard with 78 points, having won the last three tournaments in Sydney, Hamilton, and Cape Town. Australia, the only other nation to have won a tournament in Dubai, is tied with the USA at 66 points each.
Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms, including www.world.rugby, YouTube, and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.
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