USA and Canada into Kitakyushu Quarter Finals

It was a perfect opening day for both North American teams at the Kitakyushu Sevens. The USA and Canada each won all three matches to top their respective pools and qualify for the Cup Quarter Finals that will take place later this evening.

Two tries each from Alev Kelter and Naya Tapper led the way for the Women’s Eagles as they trounced England 43-7 in their first match of Day One. Fiji were also fragile opposition, but Ireland gave them a scare in their final match. Kelter’s second half try spared the embarrassment of defeat and keep the perfect record intact.

It was a similar run of events for Canada. Solid wins over a tricky Spain and the plucky China gave them a good start. Bianca Farella and Charity Williams each notched three tries between the two matches. The third game was a difficult challenge in Australia but a late score from Kaili Lukan stole a vital win.

Pool A proved dramatic as World Champions New Zealand were slowed by a draw against Russia and then suffered a stunning 29-7 defeat to France. Les Bleus claimed first place in the pool and will advance as one of the tournament favorites.

Canada will face Russia in the first Cup Quarter Final followed immediately be the USA and New Zealand. Live streams will be available on the CBC Sports website and the World Rugby Facebook page.

 

 

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
France 33 – 10 Russia
New Zealand 43 – 0 Japan
New Zealand 17 – 17 Russia
France 33 – 19 Japan
New Zealand 7 – 29 France
Russia 28 – 21 Japan

POOL B
Canada 26 – 17 Spain
Australia 47 – 0 China
Canada 42 – 19 China
Australia 36 – 5 Spain
Spain 31 – 26 China
Australia 14 – 17 Canada

POOL C
Ireland 31 – 10 Fiji
USA 43 -7 England
Ireland 0 – 31 England
USA 31 – 5 Fiji
Fiji 15 – 35 England
USA 15 – 12 Ireland

 

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Sat, Apr 20 – 21:30 ET – CUP QF – Canada vs Russia
Sat, Apr 20 – 21:52 ET – CUP QF – USA vs New Zealand
Sat, Apr 20 – 22:14 ET – CUP QF – Australia vs England
Sat, Apr 20 – 22:36 ET – CUP QF – France vs Ireland

Sat, Apr 20 – 22:58 ET – TROPHY SF – Spain vs China
Sat, Apr 20 – 23:20 ET – TROPHY SF – Japan vs Fiji