2022 Canada Sevens: Full Review

The Rugby Sevens World Series returned to BC Place in Vancouver for the first time in two years and the sixteen teams made up for lost time, putting on a big show for the fans who turned out to see one of the sport's most exciting and spectacular shows back on Canadian soil.

The home team opened with a heavy opening loss to Australia 26-10 and kept it closer against South Africa, but a late try from Selvyn Davids would end Canada's home hopes early. Spain had also suffered heavy losses to the same teams and when they met Canada in their last pool match, a Brock Webster try would be the separator between the teams and Canada head into the consolation round with a win. Elsewhere, two late tries from South Africa over Australia won them the match and the pool.

Vancouver marked New Zealand's sevens return for the first time since March 2020 and they returned with a vengeance, opening with big wins over Japan and Wales, who were also swiftly dispatched by Samoa. When the two winning sides met it was New Zealand who prevailed, making easy work of Samoa with a final score of 31-24. Wales finished third with a 19-14 win over Japan.

After opening the tournament with a draw, Argentina and France both went on to back-to-back pool wins, surviving late escapes from Ireland and Scotland respectively. With two wins apiece the French and the Argentinians both move on comfortably to the medal round, with Argentina in front due to their greater point differential. A win over Scotland leaving Ireland finishing Pool D in third place.

The most drama on day one was seen in Pool A: Kenya shocked the crowds at BC Place with a narrow win over the USA, who then returned the favour with a one-point win over England. The English secured their quarter-final spot with victory over Kenya 19-12, whose heavy point differential left them in fourth place behind the Americans. All three teams though were not match for Fiji, who comfortable steamrollered all of their pool opponents to finish in first place ahead of the knockout round the next day.

On day two Canada won consolation matches against Japan and Scotland but missed out on ninth place following a 17-7 loss to Ireland. That was the furthest the home team could go, while for those who emerged successfully from the pool stage there was still everything to play for.

Fiji continued on the warpath into the knockout round, opening day two with a heavy hitting first half against France. The French did not give up too easily and had two tries to go in front in the second half but Jerry Tuwai would save the Fijians from an unceremonious early exit at the expense of a fighting French team.

South African were one of the dominant teams on day one but where shut out by Samoa in the first half of their quarter final. After conceding four tries in the first ten minutes, the leading Sevens team had no way back and the quarter finals were the furthest they would go, while Samoa would march on in Vancouver.

Argentina completely blew out England 40-17 in the second half of the bracket, where perennial rivals New Zealand and Australia were also to face off. The early New Zealand lead was eradicated in the second half, where three tries in five minutes saw Australia advance to the final four with victory 19-12.

The tournament reached the business end with only four teams left in contention. Fiji were dominant once again, completely overpowering Samoa in the first semi final, while Australia and Argentina were evenly matched, at least to begin with. Two tries in sudden succession in the second half would be enough for Argentina to see past

Two days of nonstop rugby all came down to this: Fiji against Argentina for the Canada Sevens title. The smart money would be on Fiji, who were on the warpath in Vancouver, but the underdogs had other plans. After conceding an early try, Argentina had three without reply and then two more after changing ends.

Fiji, who so far had shown more power and creativity in their play than any other, here had no answer for their last opponents and had to settle for silver. The only undefeated team in Canada all weekend, Argentina completed their campaign with a 29-10 win over Fiji and were worthy winners of the 2022 Canada Sevens title.