Canada’s Bianca Farella • Photos: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Another buzzer decision evolved between Canada and the USA, this time during the Paris 7s Cup quarterfinals. The previous meeting between the North Americans saw the Eagles snatch a semifinal berth from the hometown squad at Langford 7s, but this iteration saw the Canadians prevail 26-24.
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The USA pushed the kickoff deep and after a couple of phases, Canada conceded an unforced knock-on. Scrumhalf Nicole Heavirland tore down the weak side of the scrum for a big gain and support arrived just in time to secure possession. The ball then moved to the opposite sideline to Naya Tapper, whose first step on Bianca Farella gave her the two inches needed to beat her over the try line. Alev Kelter slotted a stellar sideline conversion for the 7-0 lead.
Canada evened up when Ghislaine Landry took advantage of the fast-up defense, stepping her opposite and racing into unguarded territory for the try, which she converted 7-7. Brittany Benn then nabbed Canada’s restart, and the team built steadily into the USA’s end. A final pass from Landry to Sara Kaljuvee just went forward, but had it connected, it would have been an easy try against a defense that had pinched in. After the scrum, the USA attempted to run the ball out of its 22 meter, but Canada stole a ruck and Landry moved the ball quickly to Charity Williams for the try, 12-7.
It looked like the Eagles were going to be trailing heading into the break, but Kelter held onto the restart and Lauren Doyle broke away for a big gain. The ball moved to the sideline, where Kristen Thomas and Heavirland made more ground, and then Kelter cleaned up messy ball to keep moving forward. Now in scoring position, the ball went wide to Doyle, who finished what she started with a step on the final defender and try. Kelter converted for the 14-12 lead into the break.
Canada regained the lead pretty quickly, as Benn looped around the ruck and took a short pass for a piercing run to the try line. Landry converted, 19-14.
Canada lost its feet while trying to steal the subsequent restart – and nearly did – and the USA got into good attacking territory after breaks from Doyle and Thomas. A knock-on did hand the ball to Canada, but after the scrum, Kelter forced a knock-on and turnover in the breakdown. Canada conceded another penalty, and Kelter’s kick to touch set up a five-meter lineout. The throw-in went over the top but sub Ilona Maher pulled it in. The recycle moved quickly to Thomas out wide who had the pace to angle past her opposite, 19-all.
There were less than two minutes remaining, as Canada built toward its final score. The defense broke down a bit, and as Farella took the pass off the ruck, a slow shift and turned shoulders gave the flyer the gap she needed for the breakaway try, which Landry converted, 26-19.
Again there was time for one more restart, and again, the USA made the best of it. Canada swarmed the kick in an attempt to turn it over, but instead two long passes found Tapper with some room, and Williams didn’t put a hand on her as the wings raced to the try line. Williams did however cut off Tapper’s route to the center of the pitch, and the difficult conversion didn’t connect, 26-24 to Canada.
The USA will now face Spain in the Plate semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 11:30 a.m. Pacific.