Report from Rugby Canada

For a second straight year, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team has won gold at the RAN Sevens. On the final day of action in Trinidad and Tobago, Canada defeated the hosts in the semi-finals, followed by a victory over Barbados in the gold medal final to claim back-to-back tournament titles, having also won the event in Barbados last year.  

With the win, Canada qualified for the HSBC SVNS Series Division 3 as part of the newly formatted HSBC SVNS Series announced earlier this year. Division 3 is a standalone challenger event featuring eight teams per gender, each earning their place through regional competitions around the world. The top two teams from that event will move on to HSBC SVNS Division 2.

Canada 40 Trinidad and Tobago 0 (semi-final)

Just like in their previous matches in the tournament, Canada started hot and carried a 19–0 lead into halftime thanks to tries from Jamie Armstrong, Thomas Isherwood, and Johnny Franklin. The Canadian attack had plenty of field to work with after two straight yellow cards late in the first half left Trinidad and Tobago playing with just five players at one point.

The RAN Sevens semi-final marked a significant milestone for Canada’s captain, Lockie Kratz. After sustaining a serious knee injury in January 2024, Kratz made his return to international rugby nearly two years later. Sunday was the first time he played in the tournament after managing a minor injury during the first two days of action.

Canada put up another 21 points in the second half after Armstrong scored his second try and Ethan Turner added two of his own, securing the 40–0 victory and a spot in the gold medal final.

Scoring summary: Jamie Armstrong (2T), Thomas Isherwood (1T, 1C), Ethan Turner (2T, 1C), Johnny Franklin (1T), Michael Moloney (2C)

Canada 31 Barbados 0 (Gold Medal Game)

Despite another quick start from Canada, with Michael Moloney scoring the first try of the game, the momentum soon shifted. Barbados strung together several phases deep in the Canadian half, testing Canada’s defense, but a turnover during a Barbados lineout relieved the pressure. Just before halftime, Kratz scored his first try of the tournament to give Canada a 14–0 lead at the break.

The second half was filled with Canadian attacking opportunities, which eventually saw Franklin, Harry Corkum, and Isherwood add to the scoresheet. Their efforts sealed a dominant 31–0 victory and secured the RAN Sevens title for the second year in a row.

Scoring summary: Michael Moloney (1T, 2C), Lockie Kratz (1T), Johnny Franklin (1T), Harry Corkum (1T), Thomas Isherwood (1T, 1C)

WORDS FROM THE CAPTAIN

“We wanted to test ourselves in this tournament and I think we got that,” said Kratz. “We had a lot of good games, and we are just building towards the next tournament in the new year. The team had a lot of fun, showed well and just overall happy with our performance.

Looking ahead to what is next for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team Kratz said: “We had six debutants this tournament who all did really well. It’s about getting the boys more in tune with what to expect on the bigger stage and the pace of play. We are trying to build here and it’s been a great weekend.”

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM ROSTER 

Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues / University of Ottawa
Ethan Turner (Maple Ridge, BC) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Harry Corkum (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
Ian Jones (Bass River, NS) – Pictou County RFC / Pacific Pride
Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish / University of Ottawa
Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride
Johnny Franklin (Bowen Island, BC) – Capilano RFC
Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
Michael Moloney (Lyndoch, South Australia) – Capilano RFC
Taine Clague (Victoria, BC) – Westshore RFC / Pacific Pride
Thomas Cuzange (Toulon, France) – Pacific Pride
Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC / Westshore RFC
Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / University of Victoria