The Canada women’s 7s side are on a business mode when they take Fiji Airways Fijiana, Ireland and Russia at the HSBC Sydney Sevens.

The February 1-3 tournament is the third round of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

The Canadians currently stand second in the standings after finishing third in Glendale, USA and second in Dubai. New Zealand top the table after winning both stops. The US is third and Australia fourth.

The top four teams at the end of the six-event season will secure automatic qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Canada won bronze in 2016 in Rio.

“This year, with the Olympic qualification process, we made the goal simple- we’ve got to be top four in every tournament,” said Canadian head coach John Tait.

Their battle starts with the Fijiana side on Friday at 1.22pm (Fiji time).

Fijiana 7s under new coach Saiasi Fuli have brought back seasoned campaigners like former captain Ana Maria Roqica, Rusila Nagasau, Raijeli Daveua, Lavenia Tinai and Luisa Tisolo.

The Sydney tournament features the 11 Series core teams plus Papua New Guinea, an invitational side.

New Zealand will play in Pool A alongside England, France and Papua New Guinea. Australia will look to defend its Sydney title starting in Pool C with the U.S., China and Spain.

FIJIANA’S POOL B FIXTURES (Friday)- 1.22pm v Canada; 3.44pm v Russia and 6.28pm v Ireland.

– Edited by Grace Narayan

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