Canada qualify, England and Spain bow out of Cup quarterfinals

The Damian McGrath- coached Canada side continue on their dream run to book a spot against the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team in today’s Cup quarterfinal.

The Canadians qualified from Pool D with a -13 point difference ahead of  Spain who had -21.

McGrath said the return of Mike Fuailefau and Phil Berna from long-term injury absences really boosted them.

“It’s almost like getting a new player back,” McGrath said of Berna, who has been out more than a year with a serious ankle fracture.

“He’s such a talented player and he’s only a young man- 22.”

The hard-working Fuailefau, who has been out since the Rugby World Cup Sevens last July, is also coming off ankle surgery.

“So there’ll be lots of improvement for us as the year goes forward which, in an Olympic qualifying year, is no bad thing because the real prize is in July when we have the Olympic qualifying tournament.

“I’m happy for us to get better bit by bit and stay under the radar and be able to work on improving our game.”

The Canadians played warm-up games with the Fijians in Hamilton to wrap up their preparations.

Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber would need to focus on their re-starts and defence before today’s quarterfinal clash.

After a strong start against Wales, the Fijians failed to find their form against Argentina and Australia.

The Kalione Nasoko captained-side were tested right to the wire and scored the winning try through forward Mesulame Kunavula for a 26-19 win.

The second quarterfinal sees South Africa taking on a very physical Samoan side and the third where hosts New Zealand face Australia while series leaders USA without speedster Perry Baker take on Scotland.

RESULTS (DAY I)

Scotland 26-21 France, South Africa 29-10 Kenya, England 10-12 Samoa, USA 29-7 Tonga, Australia 17-12 Argentina, Fiji 54-7 Wales, Spain 12-12 Canada, New Zealand 52-0 Japan,  Scotland 19-10 Kenya, South Africa 17-5 France, England 36-7 Tonga, USA 34-14 Samoa, Australia 26-5 Wales, Fiji 33-24 Argentina, Spain 22-19 Japan, New Zealand 49-10 Canada, France 15-19 Kenya, South Africa 26-7 Scotland, Samoa 28-12 Tonga, USA 19-7 England, Argentina 36-7 Wales, Fiji 26-19 Australia, Canada 26-0 Japan, New Zealand 17-0 Canada

CUP QUARTERS TODAY

10.36am Fiji v Canada, 10.58am South Africa v Samoa, 11.20am New Zealand v Australia, 11.42am USA v Scotland.

Edited by Osea Bola

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