After a long month off, The HSBC Sevens is back and ready for the sixth leg of the tournament in Tokyo. Tokyo has always been a fantastic and exciting tournament and it shows how rugby is growing internationally.
The pools are set and once again Canada will be facing some though competition. The last two tournaments Canada have played phenomenally, beating some very strong sevens sides such as, Samoa, Argentina, Scotland, Wales, France and Kenya. Canada is hoping to continue their success and once again qualify for yet another cup quarterfinal.
Canada’s pool consists of Portugal, Wales and New Zealand. I believe if Canada plays with a strong defense (average tries against per match, 3), use their emotion in a positive way and keep up what they have been doing in the last two sevens tournaments, they could be going into day two undefeated. Yes, you read that right, Canada has a legitimate chance to upset the All Blacks. There is a real chance to pull off the biggest upset in rugby Canada history. Canada has been training very hard and they are debate-ably the best sevens side Canada has ever seen. This is an amazing opportunity and it is definitely a possibility that Canada can beat New Zealand.
Canada’s fist test of the tournament will be against Portugal. Having played them twice already this season, with winning one and losing the other, this should be a tightly contested match. Portugal has always been a tough competitor for Canada and they should not be taken lightly. Winning this match is very important as well because normally you need two wins in your pool to advance to a cup quarterfinal. While Canada could upset the All Blacks, this match is still a must win.
Canada’s second test of the day is against Wales. Having won the previous match against Wales by a close margin of 21-19 this once again should be a very tightly contested match with the score going back and fourth throughout the game. Winning this game is also very important in order for Canada to advance to the quarterfinals.
Canada’s last but certainly not least match of the day is against the All Blacks. Having never beaten them before, Canada is very hungry for their first victory. The last time Canada faced the mighty all blacks was last tournament meeting in the cup quarterfinal. Canada lost by a score of 24 – 0.
Canada will have to prove that they are a top sevens country without a few key players. Connor Briad, Justin Douglas and Phil Mack are unavailable for Tokyo. However Phil Mack will return for the Hong Kong leg the following weekend. Also Canada will welcome back Chauncey O’Toole playing in his first tournament of the season. Remember you can watch all games live at http://www.irbsevens.com/
Schedule:
Canada v Portugal at 11:50 local time (10:50pm ET/07:50pm PT)
Canada v Wales at 15:08 local time (02:08am ET/11:08pm PT)
Canada v New Zealand at 19:20 local time (06:20am ET/03:20am PT)
Canadian Roster:
Nanyak Dala, Sean Duke, Lucas Hammond, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama (Captain), Harry Jones, John Moonlight, Chauncey O’Toole, Mike Scholtz, Jake Webster, Sean White
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