Canada advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament Saturday in Monaco but a 17-12 loss to Britain in the Pool B finale means it will face a tougher draw in the quest for the final men’s berth in the Paris Olympic field.
The Canadians snapped a 29-game losing streak with a much-needed 31-12 win Friday over Uganda before dispatching China 33-14 Saturday at Stade Louis II.
That set up a showdown with unbeaten Britain for top spot in the pool. The top two from each of the three groups plus the two best third-place finishers move on to the quarterfinals.
Twelve men’s and 12 women’s teams are competing for the last berth in the Olympic field. The fifth-ranked Canadian women have already qualified for Paris.
Canada will face Chile in quarterfinal action Sunday with the winner facing either powerful South Africa or Uganda. Britain, by virtue of its win over Canada, moved into the bottom portion of the quarterfinal draw and will take on Tonga with the winner facing either Hong Kong or Spain.
South Africa finished seventh on the elite HSBC SVNS circuit, formerly known as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, while Spain was 10th this season.
Source Agencies
