Day #3 - Done & (Canada) Dusted!

After a good start with a victory over Kenya (21 – 10), this Ruggernut mused over point differentials, in an effort to prognosticate form and comparison of team performances. What odds Portugal to tie the mighty Kiwis??? ….. and then for Kenya to open a 21 point differential over Portugal??? Canada got to a seven point differential against Samoa (in a game where they played poorly), whereas the U.S. was eleven points behind the same opposition and then Samoa went on to lose 14 – 15 to N.Z.!!! The end of this story is that scores can never be a predictor when assessing form for sevens rugby.

To Canada….. what a disappointing performance against France (19 – 38), who went on to be soundly beaten by Scotland in the Bowl Final. The best it got was 14 – 14 in the early going and 14 – 19 at the half. Trainor was caught often, as well as Duke, who received little ball. Passes did not create space for our speedsters. There is nowhere to hide to the sevens field and one of our players looked constantly out of his depth, despite his natural skills. Assignments were missed (50% missed tackles, mid second half) and players were slow to loose balls. As was the case yesterday, energy was lacking. This being said – Moonlight and Jones were pure money, never giving up and featuring a tremendous work rate.

Hong Kong has been generally kind to Canada in the past but not so this year with only five points being earned and now being tied for twelfth place in The Show. Wales, with a five point lead, is in sight but Top Ten would be nothing short of miraculous.

The Mighty Fijian Sevens Machine returned to its grandeur with comprehensive, scintillating seven’s play, defeating N.Z., 33 – 19 in the Cup Final. Next Show – Japan next week, with only three rounds remaining. Canada have drawn South Africa, U.S.A. and Kenya in a tough challenge. Our best wishes continue with the boys.