The Canadian men’s rugby sevens team secured victory in an HSBC SVNS Division 3 challenger competition in Dubai, marking a significant step in their upward trajectory. Their advancement to the three-event HSBC SVNS 2 series was clinched through a thrilling semifinal match against Hong Kong, where Canada emerged victorious after a tense battle.
In the semifinal encounter, Canada initially took the lead with an Elias Hancock try, maintaining a 7-5 advantage at halftime. Captain Lockie Kratz further extended the lead to 14-5 early in the second half, but Hong Kong swiftly turned the tide, surging ahead 19-14 with two converted tries. Adam Doane’s crucial 13th-minute try leveled the score at 19-19, eventually leading to extra time. Thomas Isherwood’s decisive try secured a 24-19 golden-point victory for the Canadians.
Subsequently, Canada faced Belgium in the final, following Belgium’s surprising 26-14 triumph over Samoa in the other semifinal. Despite a close group-stage encounter where Belgium narrowly lost to Canada 19-15, the Canadians dominated the final match, securing a 28-10 victory with a lead of 14-10 at halftime.
Throughout the tournament, Canada demonstrated consistent performance, with wins over Italy (33-7) and Madagascar (24-17), alongside the notable success against Belgium and Hong Kong. The competition featured eight men’s and women’s teams, with the top two from each category earning promotion to the HSBC SVNS 2 series, scheduled in Nairobi, Montevideo, and Sao Paulo.
Having earned their place in the HSBC SVNS Division 3 by winning the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament in Trinidad, the Canadian men aimed to reclaim their elite status after being relegated in June 2024. Despite a restructuring of the sevens series structure by World Rugby, Canada’s impressive performance in Dubai signifies a strong resurgence in the international rugby sevens circuit.