Canadian women's rugby team opens Canada Sevens with 3 shutouts

Canada pitched a shutout Saturday at the Canada Sevens women's rugby tournament, blanking all three opponents to win its pool in convincing fashion.

The Canadians, third in the overall World Series standings, opened with an easy 38-0 win over No. 10 Japan before comfortably dispatching No. 12 Ireland 26-0. The money match was a 5-0 decision over No. 4 England thanks to a try by Bianca Farella — her fourth of the day.

While Canada made mistakes, the home side showcased a solid defence while using its speed on attack en route to the wins.

Australia and New Zealand, No. 1 and 2 in the standings, also went 3-0 Saturday to win their pools.

Canada will face No. 5 France in the Cup quarter-finals Sunday. The other Cup matchups are Australia versus Spain, U.S. vs. England and New Zealand versus Russia.

The Canadians went unbeaten on Day 1 of last year's tournament, only to stumble against England in the Cup quarter-final and finish sixth.

Asked why that won't happen again, Canadian coach John Tait replied: "It will be different this year because of last year."

Still the Canadian women enjoyed the moment after dispatching England, which had won its two previous matches. They headed to the stands at Westhills Stadium to greet family, friends and fans.

Captain Jen Kish, who missed last year's tournament through injury, savoured leading her team out to the sounds of "Hey Brother" by Avicii.

"There's a lot of energy and emotions when you go out there and you're running with your teammates and playing the game you love," she said. "I'm honoured to be able to be a part of it this year and I hope to be a part of it for years to come."

Canada is now 2-0 all-time against Japan and 5-0 against Ireland on the World Series. The victory over England, the first in three tries this season, evened their series ledger at 8-8.

The Australians won the three previous stops in Dubai, Sao Paulo and Atlanta, compiling a 17-1 record en route. The Canadian women have finished sixth, second and fourth this season, posting an 11-7 record en route to Langford.

Australia, with three debutantes, and New Zealand, with two newcomers, both brought younger squads to North America. It didn't seem to matter.

Canadian Kayla Mack had a game to remember against the Irish, opening the second half with a spectacular try — her first on the circuit — gathering in the restart and then powering to the goal-line.

A statuesque five foot nine and 165 pounds, Mack's job usually is to dislodge the ball rather than run with it.

The 26-year-old from Saskatoon scored again minutes later, capping off an attack from the wing. Mack, playing in just her third event on the circuit, took the spotlight with her husband and parents watching from the stands.

Farella and Kelly Russell also scored tries. Russell and Ghislaine Landry combined for three conversions.

Against Japan, Tait emptied his bench in the second half of a game that ended with Russell showing her power, repeatedly fending off a Japanese defender en route to the goal-line. Farella scored two tries and Karen Paquin, Britt Benn and Kayla Moleschi added singles. Russell and Landry combined for four conversions.

Japan fielded a squad that boasted five-foot-seven 189-pound Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave. Or as reporters called her, No. 3.

In one of the day's more memorable finishes, Spain upset the U.S. 10-7 on a last-ditch try by Patricia Garcia. The Spaniard blocked a kick and held on to score as an American player, with no time left, tried to boot the ball out from behind the goal-line to end the game.

All eyes are on Rio this summer, as rugby sevens makes its Olympic debut. Canada qualified by virtue of its second-place finish last season on the World Series.

The sevens circuit wraps up May 28-29 in Clermont-Ferrand, France.