The Langford-based Canadian men鈥檚 rugby sevens team has some serious regrouping to do before the last-chance Olympic qualifier for Rio, which takes place June 18-19 in Monaco.
The world No. 13 Canadians went 0-5 at the Paris Sevens, concluding Sunday with a 33-0 hammering at the hands of the Russians, before a 17-12 extra-time loss to the Welsh.
sa国际传媒 has one last World Series tournament, this week in London, to prepare for next month鈥檚 last-chance Olympic qualifier that will decide the 12th and final berth into Rio, which is expected to come down to sa国际传媒, Russia or Samoa.
That鈥檚 why the stunningly lop-sided loss to Russia did not augur well for sa国际传媒, not to mention Samoa鈥檚 shocking upset run over the weekend to win the Paris Sevens.
To make matters worse, one of sa国际传媒鈥檚 best players suffered a hand injury. Nathan Hirayama, a product of the University of Victoria Vikes program, did not play Sunday.
鈥淲e are looking to build momentum to Monaco, where we want to peak,鈥� Canadian head coach Liam Middleton said before the team left Victoria for Paris.
One thing about rugby sevens is that results can swing dramatically week to week.
On the Canadian roster in Paris were UVic Vikes graduates Hirayama and Lucas Hammond; Mike Fuailefau, Sean White and Luke McCloskey, all from Victoria; Luke Bradley of Port Alberni; Adam Zaruba, Conor Trainor and Phil Berna, all of Vancouver; Admir Cejvanovic of Burnaby; Douglas from Abbotsford; John Moonlight of James Bay; and Matt Mullins from Belleville, Ont.
Also travelling with the team is Phil Mack, the vaunted veteran from Victoria who suffered a leg injury at sa国际传媒 Place during the sa国际传媒 Sevens in March. The Oak Bay High and UVic Vikes graduate is expected back this week for the London Sevens. Mack鈥檚 presence can now only be deemed crucial for the Olympic qualifier.
The Langford-based Canadian women鈥檚 sevens team, which has qualified for the 2016 Rio Summer Games and is ranked No. 4 in the world, continues its Olympic preparations this week at the London Sevens.
