The World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Vancouver has quickly become one of the favorites since its debut in 2016 for both teams and fans. With about 80,000 fans over the two days at BC Place, it’s no surprise that Vancouver retained its place on the circuit through 2023. 

On the pitch, there were several surprises and it nearly resulted in a surprise winner in France. However, South Africa ended the French dream, 21-12, in the Cup Final to claim their first win in this year’s series and keep their top four standing in the series. 

The French ended the USA’s string of Cup Finals in the semifinal with an emphatic 33-5 win in the semifinals, and looked like they might win their first cup on the circuit since 2005 after an early try by Pierre Gilles Lafakia; but tries by Impi Visser, Player of the Final Selvyn Davids, and Werner Kok put the match out of reach before the French got another try late. 

The USA wound up in fourth after falling to Fiji, 24-14, in the Bronze Final. However, they did extend their lead at the top of the standings on New Zealand, whom the Fijians bounced in the quarterfinals. The USA’s highlight win was overcoming a 19-0 deficit in the quarters to defeat England, 22-19, but could not do the same when given the same deficit to overcome against the French in the semifinal. 

The All Black Sevens did pick up fifth place by defeating England, but more people will be talking about how they were stunned in pool play by Spain, 26-24. The second set of pool matches saw quite a few upsets as in the very next match, hosts Canada stunned Fiji, 26-17. Before those stunners, France set up their weekend to come with a 21-17 triumph over Australia to help them reach the Cup quarters. 

Despite the win over Fiji, it was not enough to help Canada reach the Cup quarters, themselves, as a heavy loss against Samoa to start more than offset the Fiji win and a later win over Kenya due to point difference. They would finish by losing the Challenge Trophy Final to Australia, 35-21. Spain would claim 13th with a 15-10 win over Japan. 

The USA’s lead in the standings did extend to seven points over New Zealand (113-106) with Fiji now 12 points back in third. South Africa extended their lead in the fourth and final automatic qualifying berth for Tokyo to nine points over England (89-80). It will likely be between those two teams as Australia are in sixth on just 65 points. 

With four stops left to go, the lowest-placed team among the permanent teams on the circuit would be relegated. Japan does qualify for the Olympics as host country, but are also currently facing the drop as they are 15th in the standings, four points behind Wales and Kenya for safety.

Canada are 12th, but are most likely safe on 35 points as the three teams below them have yet to reach the Cup side of the bracket this season. Canada’s path to Tokyo will get a lot easier assuming the USA stays in the top four as the former would not have to go through a regional qualifier. 

Next stop on the Sevens Series is the granddaddy of them all in Hong Kong on April 5-7. It is also the weekend where the qualifying tournaments for next year’s series takes place and the men’s and women’s winners joining their respective circuits full time for 2019-2020. 

Vancouver Sevens Men’s Dream Team:

Selvyn Davids (RSA)

Stephen Parez (FRA)

JP Barraque (FRA)

Connor Braid (CAN)

JC Pretorius (RSA)

Stephen Tomasin (USA)

Tofatu Solia (SAM)

Player of the Final:  Selvyn Davids (RSA)

HONG KONG SEVENS POOLS:

Pool A:  South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, Japan

Pool B:  France, Argentina, Canada, Portugal

Pool C:  Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Kenya

Pool D:  USA, England, Wales, Spain

WOMEN’S QUALIFIER POOLS:

Pool A:  Japan, Belgium, Scotland, Mexico

Pool B:  Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Uganda

Pool C:  Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Poland

MEN’S QUALIFIER POOLS:

Pool A:  Hong Kong, Tonga, Zimbabwe, Philippines

Pool B:  Ireland, Russia, Uruguay, Jamaica

Pool C:  Chile, Germany, Uganda, Cook Islands