Canada confirm Olympic spot
As expected, Canada have won a spot at next year’s Olympics in Paris. Mexico and Jamaica will take part in the repechage.
Published by John Birch, August 21st, 2023
2 minute read
To the surprise of no-one, Canada swept through the Rugby Americas North Olympic qualifier in Langford with ease. Scoring over 50 points in every game bar one, and conceding a single try, they were a level (or two) above their opponents.
Hosting the tournament in Canada also helped the home team, but did little for the rest of the region. The first RAN Championship to take place outside Mexico or the Caribbean it resulted in the lowest-ever turnout of teams for any North American sevens championship since tournaments began 18 years ago. Only four teams took part, compared to (for example) 11 in 2013.
The four teams were competing for not just a place in Paris but also two places at the repechage. And with Trinidad a no show it was clear who those team would be from the start.
St Lucia finished fourth in Mexico City last year, but that was without Canada taking part, and they were never a serious threat to Jamaica or Mexico never mind Canada – though they did score the only try Canada conceded over the weekend.
The only real question was whether or not Jamaica had closed the gap on Mexico sufficient to make the final. The gap has clearly closed but a 10-7 win for Jamaica in the pool could not be repeated in the semi-final, which Mexico won 19-12.
But Canada were imperious, and had no problem winning the final 53-0.
Pool:St Lucia 0-59 Canada; Mexico 7-10 Jamaica; Canada 53-0 Jamaica; St Lucia 5-19 Mexico; Jamaica 33-10 St Lucia; Mexico 0-82 CanadaSemi-finals:Jamaica 12-19 Mexico; Canada 41-7 St Lucia3rdplace:Jamaica 27-12 St LuciaFinal:Mexico 0-53 Canada;