SINGAPORE—The Singapore Sevens again produced a surprise winner: last year it was Kenya that stunned Fiji in the final, this year Canada won their first Sevens Championship (in 140 attempts since 1999!) beating their North American rivals, the USA 26-19 in an exciting final to round-off a tournament full of shock results.
To reach the final Canada beat New Zealand 26-14 in the quarters and England in the semi-final 17-5: the USA beat Fiji 24-19, then trounced Australia 40-7 in the semi-final.
On Saturday, Canada had lost heavily to Fiji 35-7, and the USA lost to New Zealand 21-14 in their respective pool matches, an all-North American final was not expected.
Both teams served up a great match: Canada began sharply and sped out to a 19-0 lead after 5 minutes, before the USA had even touched the ball, with three tries from Matt Mullins, Harry Jones and Mike Fualifea. Once the USA managed to get their hands on the ball, and create space, Perry Baker and Stephen Tomasin both scored before halftime to reduce the scoreline to 19-12.
In the second half, momentum was shifting to the USA. Baker again created a try using his speed to carve space through the Canadian defence, to touchdown under the posts and draw the score level at 19-19, with 3 minutes left on the clock, and confidence starting to brim in the USA team.
Canada stayed calm, and were marshaled supremely by man-of-the-match Nathan Hirayama, who held the ball up for Lucas Hammond to sprint clear through the USA defense, to score the match-winning try, and confirm Canada the surprise but deserved winners in Singapore.
