Canada men and women to share rugby 7s stage in California with plenty at stake
Canada's men and women will share the stage May 3-4 at Dignity Health Sports Park, the rugby sevens venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
But the two teams are facing different challenges in Carson, Calif.
The Canadian women are looking to finish the season with a bang at the winner-take-all HSBC SVNS World Championship, which features the top eight men's and women's sides after six events on the elite rugby sevens circuit. Canada finished fourth in the standings following back-to-back third-place finishes in Hong Kong and Singapore
Canada's men, meanwhile, are looking to win their way back into the top tier after being relegated last June.
The Canadian women have been training with the 15s team in Chula Vista, Calif., ahead of the sevens finale.
"We solidified our foundations and are very proud of our performances in Hong Kong and Singapore," Canada women's coach Jocelyn Barrieau said in a statement. "We have identified areas we want to improve on and the gaps we want to close going into Los Angeles.
"We have a talented, passionate, resilient group of players, and we are all excited to get back on the pitch together in L.A."
The roster includes eight players from the Hong Kong and Singapore squad.
Charity Williams, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan return to the squad after last featuring in Vancouver in February. Like Williams, Savannah Bauder returns from injury. Larah Wright, who made her debut in Perth, gets another invite.
5 to join 15s side
Following the California event, Corrigan, Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Mahalia Robinson and Olivia Apps will join the 15s side for the remaining matches of the Pacific Four Series in New Zealand and Australia.
The Canadian men finished third in the second-tier Challenger Series, earning a berth in a promotion/relegation playoff that sees the top four teams from the Challenger Series and the bottom four sides from the HSBC SVNS battle it out for four spots in the top tier next season.
The Canada men are coming off a third-place finish in the final Challenger Series event in Krakow, Poland.
"We've had this tournament circled on our calendar all season," said Canada coach Sean White. "We've identified key areas of improvement coming out of Krakow and have made that our focus over the last couple of weeks of camp in Langford [B.C.].
"I believe our continuity in selection from Krakow to L.A. will be a benefit to our on-field performance and cohesion. Our aim is to finish the season as one of the top 12 teams, and we look forward to earning the opportunity to do so."
The 12 players who represented Canada in Krakow are joined by Kal Sager, who returns to the squad following an injury.
The Canadian women have been drawn in a pool with Japan, Britain and New Zealand. The men are in a pool with Uruguay, Ireland and Germany.
Canada men
Rhys James, Kelowna, B.C., Pacific Pride
James Thiel, Abbotsford, B.C., Pacific Pride
Ethan Turner, Maple Ridge, B.C., Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Alex Russell, Bracebridge, Ont., McGill University
Brenden Black, Oakville, Ont., Guelph University
Ethan Hager, Brantford, Ont., Castaway Wanderers
Morgan Di Nardo, Toronto, University of Victoria
Jamie Armstrong, Ottawa, University of Ottawa
Kyle Tremblay, White Rock, B.C., Bayside RFC
Thomas Isherwood, Okotoks, Alta., Westshore RF
Kainoa Lloyd, Mississauga, Ont., James Bay AA
Kal Sager, Peterborough, Ont., Trent University
Elias Hancock, Ottawa, Ont., University of Ottawa
Canada women
Breanne Nicholas, Blenheim, Ont., Kent Havoc RFC
Charity Williams, Toronto, UBC
Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC
Carmen Izyk, High River, Alta., RCTPM
Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC
Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England)
Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria
Sabrina Poulin, St-Georges, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England)
Shalaya Valenzuela, Abbotsford, B.C., Abbotsford RFC
Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC 26
Savannah Bauder, North Vancouver, UBC
Mahalia Robinson, Fulford, Que., Town of Mount Royal RFC
Larah Wright, Calgary, University of Victoria
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian teen Summer McIntosh shatters third world swim record in five days
VICTORIA, Canada (AP) — Canadian teen Summer McIntosh has done it again. The 18-year-old made it three world records in less than a week when she broke her own 400-meter individual medley mark on Wednesday night. McIntosh won at the Canadian swimming trials in 4 minutes, 23.65 seconds to lower her previous best in one of the sport's toughest events by 0.73 seconds. Her closest rival was 12 seconds behind. 'What a week Victoria! Had so much fun in the pool this week,' McIntosh wrote on Instagram. McIntosh had already broken the world best mark in the 200 individual medley on Monday in 2:05.70, two days after shaving more than a second off the 400 freestyle record, completing the race in 3:54.18. The Toronto native also set new Canadian marks in two other events: The 200 butterfly, where she was less than half a second off a record that has stood since 2009, and the 800 freestyle, where she was also just off Katie Ledecky's world record set last month. She is scheduled to compete in those five events at the world aquatics championships in Singapore next month. McIntosh won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics last year, winning her three individual events of the 400 and 200 individual medleys and the 200 butterfly. She also won silver in the 400 free. ___ AP sports:
Toronto Sun
7 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, June 12, 2025
Thursday letters Photo by Illustration / Toronto Sun LET'S GO LEAFS The Leafs do not have the killer instinct of the Panthers — until that happens, same old, same old. I'd like to see one more Cup before I move on to greener pastures. Long time to get your stuff together, from management to players. There has been some great players along the way, liked watching each and every one of them. Keep my fingers crossed they get their stuff together. Next year is an another shot, hope I am around, would be great to see. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Jerry Strom Stoney Creek (There is nothing but strong support for the Leafs throughout the season, but then something seems to always fall apart during the playoffs. They are a constant disappointment) KING CHARLES' SUPPORT Whether you are a supporter of the monarchy or not, King Charles certainly has shown himself to be a class act who, after his parliamentary speech, took the time to reach out and shake the hands of so many Canadian admirers. He's a man facing the realities of having cancer that evokes so much anguish while battling it to survive. God bless His Majesty, who even while facing his mortality continues with royal duties by visiting Canada to show the crown's support for us during these troubling times. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Peter J. Middlemore Sr. Windsor (Long live the King) WAY TO GO CANADA I was wondering for all the Canadians who voted Liberal in the last election, and said only Mark Carney can deal with Donald Trump, and only a banker like him can stop the absurd spending thanks to Justin Trudeau that sent our country into the mess we see ourselves in today, how that is working out for you so far? Trump has not been dealt with, and Carney is spending our money at a rate worst than your last great prime minister. Barry Harris Edmonton (Carney projected some of his spending plans during the campaign and they were as detrimental as Trudeau's. And still, the Liberals got another term) Celebrity NHL Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons Columnists
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
New and much-improved Sea Bears hand Montreal first loss of season
The new version of the Winnipeg Sea Bears might just be as good as advertised. The home debuts of guard Jalen Harris and Canadian centre Simi Shittu went as well as the city's pro basketball team could've hoped as the Sea Bears took down the undefeated Montreal Alliance (4-1) 92-89 Wednesday night in front of 6,505 fans at the Canada Life Centre. The Sea Bears took a commanding 78-61 lead heading into the final frame but nearly blew their first three quarters of work as Montreal clawed back to grab a 87-86 advantage in Target Time. Winnipeg managed to settle down with hometown forward Emmanuel Akot scoring back-to-back baskets before Harris fed Shittu in the post and he finished things off with a hook shot to earn the victory. With the win, the Sea Bears improved to 3-5 and snapped a three-game home losing skid. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Sea Bears centre Simi Shittu had five points in the first minute of Wednesday's game against Montreal. It was Shittu's first game as a Sea Bear as he joined the team late owing to his club overseas going deep into the Greek Basketball League post-season. 'I'm kind of speechless. It feels great,' said Shittu, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and a blocked shot despite getting into some early foul trouble and playing less than 16 minutes. 'Obviously, it wasn't a perfect game, but I felt the love from the crowd and the support. The fourth quarter, they came back and made some big shots, but we just had to calm down and make the right plays and make stops on defence.' Harris, a former Toronto Raptor who signed last week, had a rough shooting night finishing two-for-10 for four points but ended with a CEBL career-high nine assists. Tevian Jones was second in scoring with 17 while fellow forward Jaylin Williams came off the bench had his best showing of the year, a perfect six-for-six from the field for 15 points. 'I think we're in a great position,' said Williams. 'Guys got out there, spread the floor, Simi can shoot, spread the floor, attack, and do tremendous things out there defensively to help us out and rebound. And Jalen coming in is tremendous as well, facilitating and controlling the game. I think we still have room to grow. First game with Simi, and if we just figure out how to click together and finish games out better, we'll be a real good team' Shittu got off to a hot start by knocking down a three on the first possession before following it up with a dunk to have five points in the opening minute. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Sea Bears Jalen Harris (No. 20) controls the basketball while Alliance centre Dontay Bassett (No. 21) covers him during third quarter action. '(Shittu) is a complete difference maker. He started so strong, and then the fouls limited him in the first half. But the rest of the team, the bench players, really stepped up,' said Sea Bears head coach and general manager Mike Taylor. 'We got a lot of great contributions… I was really, really pleased with the team effort… You look at the number, 27 assists for the game, that's a fantastic number and it's a great sign that players are sharing the ball and working together.' The Sea Bears entered the night dead last in the nine-team circuit in field goal percentage at 37.2 per cent but managed to shoot at a 49.3 per cent clip Wednesday. They still struggled from deep, though, connecting on six-of-25 from three-point range. Montreal forward Quincy Guerrier led all scorers with 25 points. 'When you see these two new guys work for each other on the floor, I think that's a wonderful sign. I'm really proud,' said Taylor. 'It didn't come easy, and it shouldn't. We want to keep developing, keep working, but it was a great win and I'm really, really happy for the team.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Sea Bears are back in action Sunday when they host the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-5) at 2 p.m. ROSTER MOVE BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Sea Bears Alex Campbell (No. 5) leaps towards the hoop with the basketball during second quarter action. The Sea Bears announced the release of backup forward Solomon Young Wednesday afternoon. Last week's signing of star guard Jalen Harris gave Winnipeg five import players, and only four are allowed to dress on game days. Young didn't dress during last weekend's two-game road trip. In five appearances this summer, Young averaged 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
