The Canadians hit back with tries to Luke McCloskey and Lucas Hammond for a 12-5 lead before Kalione Nasoko levelled it up 12-12 at halftime.
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Earlier yesterday, Kenya were no match for current series leaders South Africa.
A surprise try from Jean-Pascal Barraque prompted Wanyama’s quick reaction with single effort try to ensure Kenya’s 17-5 lead at the breather. Cecil Afrika’s try, when he ghosted through a gap with barely a New Zealand hand laid on him, was especially disappointing.
Their opposition was to come from the next quarter-final as Germany faced off against Hong Kong, who were, unsuprisingly, backed by a passionate local support.
Baker has become a legitimate star on the Rugby World Sevens circuit, scoring 109 tries in his fledgling career and being selected in last season’s Dream Team, and while he looks like a natural, he has had to work harder than most to reach the top.
The Olympic Champions, unbeaten all weekend, scored four tries in the final as a weekend of pulsating rugby came to a thrilling end on Sunday. After dispatching Japan 40-14, New Zealand pushed Fiji hard but fell 17-14 and lost Iopu Iopu-Aso to suspension for a unsafe tackle.
“What’s important is that we don’t take South Korea lightly”.
Australia will play England and South Korea on day two of the tournament, as they push to secure progression through to the Quarter Finals.
The England Sevens Academy youngster would make his debut if he were to feature later against New Zealand.
Although both teams were already assured of a place in the knockout phase after winning their first two pool games, they threw everything they had at each other in a match that had the crowd on its feet and roaring for more.
“They showed a lot of belief and composure to beat a good U.S. team to finish third”, Friend said.
He said: “England have been following South Africa closely, winning in Cape Town, as well as in Vancouver”.
Sure this time two years ago, O’Driscoll was pictured crowd-surfing at the Hong Kong Sevens. “It really was a full-throttle kind of affair”.
Australia overcame a talented United States of America side – who overpowered England in the quarterfinals and pushed South Africa to extra time in the semis – to claim third place.
“With the squad we’ve assembled it’s really a tournament we’ve grown in”, said MacRae.
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“We made some errors out there and that helped France to stay in the game, but we will be a better team because of it”.
