The Canadian men’s rugby sevens team showcased their resurgence by clinching victory in an HSBC SVNS Division 3 challenger competition held in Dubai on Sunday. In a thrilling semifinal matchup against Hong Kong, Canada secured their promotion to the three-event HSBC SVNS 2 series with a remarkable comeback. Trailing at halftime, Canada managed to edge past Hong Kong with a late surge, led by Elias Hancock and Captain Lockie Kratz.
The final pitted Canada against Belgium, who caused an upset by defeating Samoa in the other semifinal. Despite a strong challenge from Belgium, Canada maintained the lead throughout the match, ultimately triumphing with a 28-10 scoreline.
Earlier in the tournament, Canada notched wins against Italy and Madagascar, sandwiched between a narrow loss to Belgium. The competition featured eight men’s and women’s teams, with the top two teams from each gender earning promotion to the upcoming HSBC SVNS 2 series events.
Canada’s journey to the HSBC SVNS Division 3 began with their victory at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament in Trinidad. After being relegated from the top-tier circuit in 2024, Canada aimed to reclaim their spot through promotion-relegation playoffs, only to face a restructuring by World Rugby that altered the sevens series format.
Looking ahead, the top-performing teams from the HSBC SVNS 2 series will advance to the final events in Hong Kong, Valladolid, Spain, and Bordeaux, France. Securing a spot in the elite HSBC SVNS circuit remains a key goal for the Canadian men’s team as they continue their competitive journey in the world of rugby sevens.