Vancouver Sevens event powered by host’s success
When the host side soars, so does any tournament.
The Langford-based Canadian men’s rugby team delivered both on and off the pitch by going 2-1 on opening day and qualifying for today’s quarter-finals of the Canada Sevens while attracting 38,085 fans Saturday to B.C. Place. It was the largest crowd in Canadian rugby history.
An inspired Canada beat Scotland 28-10 and Russia 26-5 before falling narrowly 15-14 to New Zealand to book a spot in the quarter-finals this morning against Rio Olympics bronzemedallist South Africa.
Five University of Victoria Vikes players or alumni are on the roster for the host team — Luke Bradley of Port Alberni, Pat Kay of Duncan, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama and Isaac Kay. Also on the Canada roster from the Island are St. Michaels University School grads and Castaway Wanderers Mike Fuailefau and Luke McCloskey.
Canada is ranked No. 12 in the world and has had some decent results of late by making the semifinals of the Wellington Sevens and quarter-finals of the USA Sevens in Las Vegas. And now this at home.
It has been much needed after Rugby Canada has taken some hits recently on the men’s side by going 1-4 in the XVs Americas Championship.
And while the Canadian women’s sevens team came out of Langford to win bronze at the Rio Olympics, the men failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Games and lost its $850,000 annual funding from the federal Own the Podium program.
The impressive fan turnout this weekend at B.C. Place should help refill those depleted coffers.
“In three of the last four tournaments, we’ve made it to the quarter-finals, so we’ve proven we’re a top-eight team,” Canadian coach Damian McGrath said in a statement.
“We’re disappointed to just get to the quarter-finals now, so we need to take that next step.
“I wouldn’t put anything past us [today]. To come out and compete like we did against New Zealand, with nine fit players, tells a story about how committed the players are and how, as a team, they want to do well.”
Meanwhile, the equivalent women’s Canada Sevens is at Westhills Stadium in Langford on May 27-28.