Rugby Canada – Day one in Wellington sees losses to Kenya, Australia and victory over Portugal; Canada to face Russia in search for Bowl Trophy on day two

 

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – After opening day one of the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in Wellington New Zealand with losses to Kenya and Australia, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team rounded out the day with a comprehensive 42-7 win over Portugal and will face Russia in the Bowl quarters at 6:14pm ET / 3:14pm PT later today. The entire tournament can be seen LIVE at www.worldrugby.org

 

Canada 7-31 Kenya

Canada got a try from Harry Jones but got their Wellington Sevens campaign off to a losing start. Kenya jumped out to an early 12-0 as Collins Injera and Billy Odhiambo touched down but Canada replied just before half time as Jones dove over after great setup play by captain John Moonlight. Nathan Hirayama added the conversion to cut the deficit to 12-7 at the break.

However, it was all one way traffic in the second half as Kenya added three more tries en route to a 31-7 win with Biko Adema grabbing two scores, including the 50th of his career, and Humphrey Kayange also getting his name on the score sheet, his 149th seven series try.

Canada 22-26 Australia

Nathan Hirayama scored his 50th career Sevens Series try but Canada came up narrowly short against Australia in their second game of Pool D. Canada struck first as Adam Zaruba used his pace and power down the wing to build a 5-0 lead before Australia replied twice in a matter of minutes as Greg Jeloudev and then Stephan van der Walt, who scored his first career Sevens Series try, gave the Aussies a 14-5 advantage. 

However, Canada hit back. Hirayama danced his way through the Australian defence before finding a supporting Pat Kay who strolled in for his fifth career try before Jeloudev got his second try of the half to give Australia a 19-12 lead at the break.

Allan Fa’alava’au grabbed the first try of the second half early on but again Canada hit back as Phil Mack touched down for his 91st career try. Canada made a late push as Hirayama scored try no.50 of his career but Canada couldn’t create a final opportunity to potentially grab a win.

Canada 42-7 Portugal

Phil Berna rounded off a fantastic Canadian performance by grabbing his first career Seven Series try as Canada cruised to victory. Canada built a commanding 21-0 lead at the break as a brace from Admir Cejvanovic and an Adam Zaruba try, coupled with three conversions from Nathan Hirayama, put Canada in control.

Miguel Lucas got Portugal on the board first in the second half with a chip and chase try but Canada rebounded to run in three more tries as captain John Moonlight powered down the sideline before Zaruba grabbed a second try. Berna completed the scoring as he took a Lucas Hamond pass near the goal line to open his Seven Series account.

Canada’s Roster for the Wellington Sevens (Club), Hometown, Province:
 
Phil Berna – (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
Admir Cejvanovic – (Burnaby Lake RFC/BC Bears) Burnaby, BC
Sean Duke – (Unattached) Vancouver, BC
Lucas Hammond – (Toronto Nomads/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
Pat Kay – (Unattached) Duncan, BC
Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Luke McCloskey – (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
John Moonlight – Captain (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Matt Mullins – (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Belleville, ON
Sean White – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Adam Zaruba – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
 
Unavailable due to injury:
 
Nanyak Dala – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Justin Douglas – (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
Mike Fuailefau – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Mitch Santilli – (Brantford Harlequins) Brantford, ON
Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Liam Underwood – (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
 
Senior Men’s Team Staff: 
Liam Middleton – Head Coach
Lee Douglas – Assistant Coach
Brian Hunter – Manager
Danielle Mah – Physiotherapist
Calum Ramsay – Performance Analyst
 
Wellington Sevens Day 1 Schedule:
 
Canada 7-31 Kenya 
Canada 22-26 Australia 
Canada 42-7 Portugal 

 

Wellington Sevens Day 2 Schedule:
 
Canada vs. Russia at 6:14pm EST/3:14pm PST

 

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Bryan Kelly  I  Manager, Communications and Media Relations  I  Rugby Canada  I  3024 Glen Lake Road  I Langford, British Columbia, Canada V9B 4B4  I  Tel. 250.418.8998 ext. 314  I  Fax 250.386.3810  I Cell. 250.216.5272 | bkelly@rugbycanada.ca I www.rugbycanada.ca