There was a bit of role reversal among the Canadian teams Friday as the marquee Dubai Sevens rugby tournament opened featuring the newest Summer Olympics sport - set to make its debut at Rio 2016.
The largely unfancied national men's team, thought to be in tough despite being the 2011 Pan American Games gold medallist, advanced to today's quarter-finals by blanking France 20-0, outgunning the United States 26-7 and recording a noteworthy 28-28 tie against the powerhouse Aussies.
The Canadian team includes Island-based players Nanyak Dala, Ciaran Hearn and Chauncey O'Toole of Castaway Wanderers; Thyssen de Goede, Jeff Hassler and John Moonlight of James Bay Athletic Association; and Sean Duke, Phil Mack and Nathan Hirayama of the UVic Vikes.
"There was great hunger and desire in both attack and defence, which was pleasing to see," said head coach Geraint John, in a Rugby sa国际传媒 statement.
"All the players from 1-12 performed and the players who came off the bench certainly made a difference, which is what it's about. We are looking ahead to tomorrow and playing Kenya [in the quarterfinals], who are very strong and physical while showing great speed and power, so we will need to perform to our best again. Being in the Cup [main quarter-final draw] is what we wanted to do - now we must go for more.
"It was certainly a strange day with South Africa, England, Argentina and Australia failing to make the Cup, but it shows just how competitive things are."
Meanwhile, the defending Dubai champion Canadian women, considered among the top-three female teams in the world, stumbled into the quarter-finals at 1-1-1 after a 15-12 upset loss to Russia was followed by a 32-0 victory over China and a tournament-saving 12-12 tie against New Zealand.
That has drawn the Langford-based Canadian team into a difficult quarter-final against Australia.
SCRUM NOTES: With several of their players in Dubai, look for both the James Bay (5-2) and Castaway Wanderers (2-4-1) bench strength to be crucial today in their men's Island Elite League fixture at 2: 30 p.m. at Macdonald Park.
