Canada earned its best-ever finish in Olympic women’s rugby sevens on Tuesday, claiming a stunning silver medal following a 19-12 loss to New Zealand in front of a sold-out crowd at Stade de France.
“They are nothing if not gutsy,” the Olympic feed colour analyst said of the Canadians as they struggled to hold off the defending champions in the first half.
New Zealand was leading 7-0 at the time, and but Canada struck back with a try from Alysha Corrigan just before the break to lead 12-7 at halftime.
Canada earned the chance to play for gold with back-to-back upset wins that stunned both the fans in the stands and the commentators in the booth. The unexpected ride at Stade de France began on Monday, with a game against the host nation.There were 70,000 fans looking down onto the field, with frantic, palpable energy leading into the first half of the quarter-final. Fans serenaded players with “La Marseillaise,” and were settling in for a win against a young, unheralded Canadian team.
Canada ground out a 19-14 win.That win moved Canada into the semifinals, and a date with the powerhouse team from Australia. After weathering an incredible storm through the first half, the Canadians hit back, shocking the favourites with a 21-12 upset.“It’s hard to describe,” young Canadian star Canada’s Piper Logan said after that semifinal win. “It’s finally coming to reality. It’s all happening. I am just so proud of this group,” at the end of the semi-final match.
“I am proud for (injured teammate) Krissy Scurfield, too, for the year she’s had. We would not be here without her. So I am going for that gold medal match thinking about her.”Canada struggled in Tokyo — finishing in ninth. Their last Olympic medal in rugby sevens was bronze at Rio 2016.