Canadian men tie for 7th in U.K. rugby sevens

Fiji defeated South Africa 21-17 Sunday to win the London Sevens, its fourth straight tournament victory — and fifth in the last six stops — on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Blitzboks made it exciting, scoring a try with 35 seconds to close the margin to two points.

But they could not get the ball back as Fiji extended its win streak to 25 games.

Ireland, an invitational side, capped its dream run at Twickenham by defeating England 21-19 to finish third.

Each tournament sees one invitational team join the 15 core teams on the World Series.

Ireland is the first non-core country to earn a medal.

Canada finished tied for seventh. Fiji extended its lead atop the season standings with 167 points, seven ahead of No. 2 South Africa.

New Zealand, which finished fifth here, is third.

Canada moved up to ninth from 11th.

After making the Cup quarterfinal for just the second time this season, Canada ran into red-hot Fiji. The Pacific Islanders posted an easy 40-7 win before Canada’s campaign ended with a 27-19 loss in a see-saw battle with the U.S.

Harry Jones and Mike Fuailefau scored milestone tries Saturday, Jones touching down for his 100th World Series try while Fuailefau notched No. 50.

There was little to celebrate Sunday against Fiji as Canada was outclassed and outhit.

The loss dropped Canada’s World Series record against Fiji to 4-45-0. The Canadians won last time out, defeating the Fijians 22-14 in Cape Town in December.

Canada’s best finish this season was a fourth in Cape Town, losing to host South Africa in the bronzemedal game in the second stop of the Series.

After an injury-riddled season, Canadian coach Damian McGrath was finally able to bring almost a full squad to London.