VICTORY OVER PORTUGAL

Canada’s Men’s side got their Hong Kong Sevens campaign off to a strong start as they overcame Portugal 35-7, with tougher tests to come.

Geraint John’s outfit were impressive as they put five tries past their opponents and will enter that pool run-in, against Argentina and England.

With any amount of confidence as they look to make a fourth straight Cup appearance on the Series.

Canada 35-7 Portugal
Line-up: 3 Nanyak Dala, 4 John Moonlight, 5 Conor Trainor, 6 Sean Duke, 7 Phil Mack, 9 Nathan Hirayama, 11 Harry Jones

Canada opened their pool account in Hong Kong with a healthy 35-7 victory over Portugal, with a +28 points return a key positive alongside the Day One triumph.

It wasn’t easy and in the second-half the game was scoreless for six minutes, but Canada had arguably done enough in the opening stanza to secure the victory.

Tries came via John Moonlight (2), Nanyak Dala and Conor Trainor before Sean White had the final say in the match, scoring in added time to give the scoreline more weight going into Day Two, that will see Canada take on Argentina and England.

Moonlight had got the ball rolling inside a minute when his power and pace came to the fore 25 metres out, with Nathan Hirayama’s successful extras making it 7-0.

Canada’s second try arrived two minutes later as superb phase play led to Dala slipping through Portuguese clutches before running in close to the left upright.

It was now 14-0 before the impressive Trainor continued his great form of last week in Tokyo with a crossing of his own, bouncing off several tacklers to make it 21-0. However, Portugal’s Pedro Bettencourt cut the gap to 14 at the half-time break.

Canada regrouped in the interval and it was Moonlight who set them on their way once again, this time using his strength from close range to claim a brace near the posts. Hirayama’s conversion put John’s charges into a 28-7 lead.

That was until the Canadians’ persistence saw reward as replacement White got in on the act with a late try that put the icing on their opening day cake at Hong Kong Stadium.

Canada’s Men’s Hong Kong Sevens
March 28-30
Day One
Canada 35-7 Portugal

Day Two
Canada v Argentina:
Saturday, March 29 – 12:18 local time
Saturday, March 29 – 00:18 ET
Friday, March 28 – 21:18 PT

Canada v England:
Saturday, March 29 – 18:32 local time
Saturday, March 29 – 06:32 ET
Saturday, March 29 – 03:32 PT

Thanks to Ian Muir/Rugby Canada for the photo’s.