The Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens rugby team powered their way to a convincing a 3-0 start in front of a raucous crowd at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
The bronze medalists from last yearB次元官网网址檚 Olympic Games in Rio rolled over Brazil 33-5 in their first game, 33-0 over France in their second, and 24-10 over Russia to conclude SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 games at the HSBC Canada tournament. The knockout rounds begin Sunday with a match against England at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Sunday). Heading into the knockout rounds, Canadian veteran Ashley Steacy said they are not focusing on England specifically, but on themselves.
B次元官网网址淓verything we have been focusing on leading into this tournament is how we are going to play, not who we play,B次元官网网址� the 13-year rugby veteran said. B次元官网网址淭he mindset going into tomorrow is absolutely focusing on our process and our roles and not getting ahead of ourselves, not thinking about the next game.B次元官网网址�
Kylie Naylor (3) patiently awaiting women's to play game 3.
B次元官网网址� Arnold Lim (@arnoldlimphoto)
Team Canada has scored a total of 90 points for and have 15 points scored against them so far in the tournament, which will also be the last one on home soil for Steacy. She announced she will retire after the 2017 season and play competitively in front of Canadian fans for the last time on Sunday.
B次元官网网址淢yself, knowing this is my last tournament on home soil, just heightens everything. My emotions, I have to keep them in check because it is a very special for me,B次元官网网址� she continued. B次元官网网址淏ut like I said, I want to play that role for the team and I donB次元官网网址檛 want to think I have to do something extra special.
Following Canada's win, announced she would retire after the 2017 season.
B次元官网网址� Arnold Lim (@arnoldlimphoto)
Against France, Head coach John Tait said the teamB次元官网网址檚 success came down to its depth.
B次元官网网址淲e were able to get fresh legs on at half,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f you can maintain that intensity and the pressure on them it generally turns into points and we did a good job of that.B次元官网网址�
Bianca Farella played a starring role for the home side, notching two tries in the opening half, including a long run after a perfect chip from Ghislaine Landry to open the scoring.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of how weB次元官网网址檝e grown is game management and tactics,B次元官网网址� Farella said of her first try. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e noticed that France likes to keep seven acrossB次元官网网址o weB次元官网网址檝e capitalized on that. They were in their end and no one was back there.B次元官网网址�
Earlier Canada romped over Brazil, taking a three try lead at halftime before cruising to a 33-5 win.
TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Charity Williams gave the game its exclamation point with a long second half run.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great feeling especially at home with the crowd out here,B次元官网网址� Williams said, adding that there was a bit of nervous energy from the team prior to stepping on the pitch. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got the first game and thereB次元官网网址檚 (a few) hiccups but we got the result we wanted so weB次元官网网址檙e just going to keep building.B次元官网网址�
Britt Benn battles as women's team wins game one against Brazil 33-5 at Westhill Stadium.
B次元官网网址� Arnold Lim (@arnoldlimphoto)
Peterborough, Ont. native Hannah Darling gave the Canadians a 19-0 lead late in the first half with a try of her own and sported a small cut on her forehead as she spoke to reporters after the game.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know what happened I was just sort of told that it was there. ThatB次元官网网址檚 rugby I guess.B次元官网网址�
As for the game, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first on home soil since their bronze medal triumph, B次元官网网址淚t was great. ThereB次元官网网址檚 so much energy just around our team and externally so weB次元官网网址檙e just kind of bringing that energy out,B次元官网网址� she said.
women's sevens huddle up following opening game win over Brazil
B次元官网网址� Joel Tansey (@joelgazette)
Other quarterfinal matchups include Australia versus the United States, France versus Ireland and New Zealand versus Russia.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
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