Blazing Answer to Cup Omission

Canada's NSMT Sevens team should be the toast of the town today after an excellent day of rugby in London town and commensurate results.  Although there may have been some doubts as to where the team that played in Glasgow went, they were stuffed down any critics throats today, with the boys only losing one game all tournament. The rugby glitz and glamour that the Sevens circuit has become was once again emphasized with N.Z. losing to England in Pool play and subsequently losing to Australia in playoffs. (N.Z. came back to beat the Aussies in the Final, with a thrilling 85 points being scored!) Japan's overnight improvement, keeping Canada within two points after a 52 point walloping just last week, was just another example! A Welsh upset over a sterling Scottish performance in Glasgow and a huge U.S. resurgence, winning the Shield, added to this observation.

 

75,000 fans took in Twickers yesterday and this was a far worthier backdrop to the show than last week's meagre turn out at Glasgow.  This pundit only saw the one game today and that was the Final Vs Argentina and what a Final it was. Build up to the Final saw Canada top Japan, 21 - 19 and nip Wales, 17 - 14. Starting in the final - Jones, Mack, Duke, Moonlight, Douglas, Braid and Fuailefau.  All were great value and played far better as a team than was the case yesterday.  Runners, ran to strength in support, rather than cutting back, thus continuity was ensured. As for strength at the breakdown......simply unbelieveable after all the games played and the energy sapped.

 

Canada's opening could not have been scripted better with try #1 by Duke, coming from build up by Jones and Moonlight from the k.o. Again from the re-start, Jones won the ball, giving Mack a fortuitous bounce to go the distance and a 12 - 0 opening.  The Argies responded, winning a loose battle and breaking a tackle, to go 7 - 12.  From the re-start we saw Argentina replicate the Canadian effort and suddenly Canada found themselves down, 12 - 14.  The half ended with Canadian attack following a carding for a debatable, cynical foul. Notable, that on this occasion, Canada got the break.  We will not editorialize on higher ranked teams getting lucky in Sevens games - but we have!

 

After the interval, it was all Canada, scoring tries by Braid, after Douglas and Duke build-up and Mack after Fuli pinched a re-start - 12 points against a man short, (we noted Father Joe in the crowd - what a thrill).  Canada had the territorial advantage and was unlucky not to score on two opportunities but they did ice it when Moonlight showed his strength and skill, making the tackle, winning the ball and feeding Mack for his hat trick and convert from out wide - what a 50th Tourney!!  Score line, 31 - 14.  About a minute after "no side" (this "dead ball" time in Sevens can be a killer),  Argentina scored wide out to end the game, Canada 31, Argentina 19 and the Bowl Trophy.  I could go on about individual performances, however, suffice to say, it was a superb TEAM EFFORT, a worthy result for an unheralded campaign. Kudos to ALL.....you good things!