A short memory is a handy trait in sevens rugby, a sport known for its whiplash turnabouts.
鈥淚f you dwell too much on past results, you won鈥檛 be prepared for the next game or tournament,鈥� said Canadian star Phil Mack of Victoria.
The Langford-based national team returned to the Island on Monday following an underachieving run through the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, which ended at 1-4-1, following an impressive 24-7 Shield semifinal victory Sunday over England before a 24-12 loss to Samoa in the Shield final.
The loss to Samoa will be closely dissected because the last-chance Olympic qualifier June 18-19 in Monaco is expected to come down to a sa国际传媒-Samoa final for the 12th and final berth into the 2016 Rio Summer Games. sa国际传媒 is 1-2 against Samoa this year.
鈥淭he whole team is disappointed with where we finished in Las Vegas,鈥� said Mack.
Especially with one of the biggest moments in team history coming up Saturday and Sunday with the first-ever sa国际传媒 Sevens at sa国际传媒 Place, for which the upper deck has now been opened after all 28,000 seats in the lower bowl sold out. More than 2,400 upper-bowl tickets were sold in the first 24 hours, guaranteeing crowds in excess of 30,000 for each day of the sa国际传媒 Sevens tournament.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a special moment for us, for sure, when we step onto the pitch at sa国际传媒 Place,鈥� said Mack.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how many family and friends I have going over for it.鈥�
Mack, whose non-stop motor and relentless devotion to the game overcame his lack of size, became the first Canadian player, and the 29th in sevens history, to make 50 World Series tournament appearances.
鈥淚t was a special feeling . . . really cool . . . to pass that milestone in Las Vegas,鈥� said the 30-year-old Oak Bay High and UVic Vikes grad, who will retire at the end of this year.
The Canadian team at Las Vegas consisted of Mack, Mike Fuailefau and Sean White of Victoria; UVic Vikes grads Nathan Hirayama, Lucas Hammond and Sean Duke; Pat Kay of Duncan; captain John Moonlight from the James Bay Athletic Association; Admir Cejvanovic of Burnaby Lake; Justin Douglas of Abbotsford; Harry Jones of Capilano; Conor Trainor of Vancouver; Adam Zaruba of Capilano.
The team will practice at Westhills Stadium before crossing the strait this week for their moment in the sa国际传媒 Place spotlight.
The world No. 2 Langford-based Canadian women鈥檚 sevens team, which has qualified for the Rio Olympics, will host the sa国际传媒 Sevens on April 16-17 at Westhills Stadium.
CONVERTS: There are numerous categories to the Las Vegas Sevens weekend. The Rugby sa国际传媒 teams swept to four titles by winning the women鈥檚 U-20, U-18, U-16 and men鈥檚 U-18 championships.
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