Quantcast
Channel: The Province » Tomasi Cama
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Tokyo 7s: Rugby Canada solid on day one, qualify for cup quarters

0
0

A win, a draw and a close loss. It wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty good, nonetheless for Canada’s men’s rugby squad in Tokyo on Saturday.

One thing that Canada has been good on this season has been an ability to stick in games. Their defensive improvements speak to much of this, but their attacking approach deserves as much credit.

Canada are one of the most efficient teams with the ball, the IRB’s own analysis proves this, so their ability to strike back has become a trade mark. But it’s also a dangerous game to play. Twice on day one, Canada tried to claw back, but only once did it yield a result and even that was barely adequate.

GAME ONE: Won 40-5 vs Portugal

I wrote before the game how mostly poor the Wolves have been this season. This was again the case. Canada’s demolition of a youthful Portuguese side also spoke the efficiency of their game.

In three-try first half, Canada showed their attacking flair was back again. Portugal couldn’t get their hands on the ball, Canada’s accuracy was high. It all continued in the second half; it was so dominant that Geraint John was able to empty the bench and get all his subs in for an early run. Jake Webster made his first appearance and Sean White got his first try. All of Canada’s stars looked on form – Nate Hirayama bagged a pair, while Sean Duke, Ciaran Hearn and Harry Jones added scores of their own.

GAME TWO: Drew 17-17 vs Wales

Wales have had an up and down year. They’ve been focused on youth, so it wasn’t clear what team would be up against Canada’s veteran crew. What was known was they would be very skilled players. That was definitely the case in Canada’s second match.

Wales burst out to a 12-0 lead before Canada finally got some possession – Conor Trainor used his patented footwork to cut back up the middle and then his power/pace combination proved to be too much to handle for the scrambling Welsh defence. Canada went into the second half down 12-7, but were far from out of it. That’s both how sevens work, and the scoring ability shown by the red and white all year.

But the Welsh were playing with confidence and an early try for Will Price pushed his side out to a ten-point lead. It was just the situation that Canada’s thrived in 2014 – they come back time and again. It’s not the prettiest approach, but it’s worked. It’s also risky.

Mike Scholz quickly struck back. He’s not had much time this season, but what he’s had, he’s done very well with. He’s a physical, direct runner, with a surprising turn of pace that catches defenders off guard. Like Trainor’s try, a step and then a direct line proved to be the way forward. Scholz powered to the line from inside his own half, pulling his team within a try. The best part? He’d been on the field for 30 seconds.

Canada started to pour on the pressure, needed a least a try to level the score. The red and white pressed, finally they were rewarded. After a surge was held up over the line, Canada won the ensuing five metre scrum. Nate Hirayama spun a wide ball to the streaking Harry Jones, who dotted down in the corner. Hirayama couldn’t connect on the tough kick and the game finished in a draw.

GAME THREE: Lost 22-17 to New Zealand.

It was a pretty simple task for Canada in their final game. After Wales had knocked off Portugal 29-7, Canada was in a strong spot. They held a sizable point differential advantage, so a win or a non-blowout loss would see the Canadians through to the Cup Quarters. They had almost nothing to lose.

With that in mind, and with the All Blacks running out a rather mixed lineup – remember, veterans Tomasi Cama and Lote Raikabula were both out – Canada took control. An early All Blacks try by captain DJ Forbes was reversed by a powerful pair from John Moonlight. Canada went into half time up 12-7 and looking confident.

Like against Wales, Canada struggled out of the second half gate. New Zealand got tries from Tim Mikkelson and Bryce Heem – both on a counterattacks born from turnovers.

Canada just needed to get back to their game – and they did. John Moonlight scored his hat trick try with just two minutes to play. Hirayama again missed the target, so at 17-17, it was truly all up for grabs.

A tight finish was going to turn one way or another on a quick strike – you just didn’t expect that it would be Hirayama who would spill the ball with seconds left. The ball was spun to the speedy Heem, how ran an end run and did just enough to stretch through the tackle of Harry Jones to dot in the corner.

It was a bittersweet finish for Canada, who will now play England in a cup quartefinal on Sunday (Saturday night in Canada – 7:12 p.m. PT on irbsevens.com)



Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images