Hogan-Rochester helps Canada rugby 7 women finish third in season finale
The Canadian women’s rugby sevens team showcased their strength and resilience as they claimed bronze at the HSBC SVNS World Championship. Led by Asia Hogan-Rochester, who scored three tries in the match against the U.S., the Canadians fought back from an early deficit to secure victory.
Having previously finished third in both Hong Kong and Singapore, the Canadians were determined to make their mark in the season finale. The team, who were silver medallists at the Paris Olympics, had also finished fourth in the previous season’s finale in Madrid.
In the men’s final, the Springbok Sevens emerged victorious with a 19-5 win over Spain. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Black Ferns continued their dominance by defeating Australia 31-7 in the women’s final.
The tournament, held at Dignity Health Sports Park, featured the top eight men’s and women’s teams from the elite HSBC SVNS competing for the world championship title. The event served as a preview for rugby sevens at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Canadian women’s team faced tough competition throughout the tournament, with standout performances against Japan and Britain. Despite a loss to Australia in the semifinals, the team rallied together to secure a third-place finish against the U.S.
On the men’s side, the Canadian team faced disappointment as they were relegated from the top tier last season. Despite hopes of earning their way back into the elite field through a promotion/relegation tournament, the revamped format for the next season left them with a spot in the new Division 2.
Coach Jocelyn Barrieau has been instrumental in managing the team’s progress, with a focus on developing new talent and balancing players between the sevens and 15s sides. The Canadian women have shown improvement over the course of the season, finishing in the top three in multiple events.
Looking ahead, the Canadian men will need to regroup and work towards earning promotion back into the top tier. With a new format in place for the upcoming season, the team will need to showcase their skills in the Rugby Americas North Sevens to climb back up the ranks.
Despite the challenges faced by both the men’s and women’s teams, the Canadian rugby sevens program remains determined to succeed on the global stage. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the future looks bright for Canadian rugby sevens.
