Following a busy year on their respective IRB Sevens World Circuits, Canada’s Men’s and Women’s Sevens Teams put forth an excellent showing at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.
Despite poor crowds at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the Rugby World would take note of Canada’s dominance in the seven-a-side game in Russia.
Canada’s Women’s Team, led by Captain Jen Kish, made it to the Cup Final against New Zealand after defeating Russia and Spain in the quarterfinal and semi-final.
The Cup final was a back-and-forth match which saw momentum swing from side to side. In the end, New Zealand showed why they were the top team in the series, beating the Canadians 33-24 after trailing by 10 points in the second half.
It was the second straight loss in a final to New Zealand for Canada, who dropped a decision in the previous month’s Amsterdam Sevens final.
It was a very successful World Cup for the Canadian women, who despite aspirations of winning the tournament, came home with their heads held high.
The second place finish for Canada’s Women was a huge step in the progression of women’s rugby and something that has never been done by any of Rugby Canada’s teams.
With less than three years until the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, a silver-medal performance by Canada in 2013 bodes well for planning to the future.
Third Place Finish in Inaugural Women’s Sevens World Series
Despite sixth and seventh place finishes in the first two events of the inaugural IRB Women’s Sevens World Series, Canada rallied in China and Amsterdam to finish third place.
Canada’s Roster for Moscow, Russia – Name, (Club) Hometown
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Bianca Farella, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Jennifer Kish, (Edmonton Rockers RFC) Edmonton, AB (Captain)
Ghislaine Landry, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Kayla Moleschi, (Williams Lake Rustlers) Williams Lake, BC
Heather Moyse, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Summerside, PEI
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Ashley Steacy, (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
Travelling Reserves
Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
Julia Greenshields, (Sarnia Saints) Sarnia, ON
Non-Travelling Reserves
Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
Megan Gibbs, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
Cheryl Phillips (Toronto Scottish RFC) Scarborough, ON
Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
