X-Women rugby athletes contribute to international win

X-Women rugby athletes Magali Harvey and Amanda Thornborough, as well as X alumnus Ghislaine Landry were members of the Canadian national rugby sevens team that recently won the international Hong Kong Sevens Tournament. The complete story from Rugby Canada follows.


Canada's Women's Sevens Team finished the Hong Kong Sevens Tournament with a perfect 4-0 record, outscoring their opponents 144-0 en route to capturing the Championship.
 
After this victory, Canada will now move on to Guangzhou, China to prepare for next weekend’s third leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series where Canada will face Ireland, Japan and, once again, Australia in pool-play.
 
Game One: Canada 33 – 0 Hong Kong
 
Canada opened the tournament with an impressive 33-0 victory over the hosts from Hong Kong. Cheryl Phillips scored Canada’s third try before the first half to give John Tait’s side a 19-0 lead at half. Both teams exchanged possession in the early going of the second frame before Canada’s Karen Paquin scooped up a loose ball near Hong Kong’s 22-metre line on the right side before running in for the score. On the final whistle Phillips scored her second try of the match under the post to seal the 33-0 victory.
 
Game 2: Canada 54 – 0 Japan
 
In their second match of the day, Canada exploded for eight tries to defeat Japan 54-0. Eight different players touched down in the victory: Mandy Marchak, Magali Harvey, Julianne Zussman, Jen Kish, Kelly Russell, Amanda Thornborough, Ghislaine Landry and Karen Paquin. With the wins against the hosts and Japan, Canada finished atop Pool C and advanced to the Cup Semi Final against France.
 
Game 3: Cup Semi Final - Canada 28 – 0 France
 
With a chance to compete in the Cup Finals in front of 40,000 fans at Hong Kong Stadium on the line, Canada stepped up against a very physical French side to win 28-0 and remain perfect through three games. Canada’s Julianne Zussman had two tries in the game and Ashley Steacy continued her solid tournament performance to add another.
 
Game 4: Cup Final – Canada 29 – 0 Australia
 
The finals saw Canada move to the main event at Hong Kong Stadium in front of a passionate crowd of 40,000 to take on their familiar foes from Australia. Canada’s Ashley Steacy opened the scoring before Ghislaine Landry took control of the game and scored three straight tries. Quebec’s Karen Paquin sealed the victory with a late try for Canada.

What coach John Tait had to say:

"We were due for a solid performance and a lot of work went into the preparation for this tournament. It was a very complete game where we not only dominated in the contact but starved Australia of possession.  It was a perfectly executed game plan and a great team performance.  Landry was back with the squad for the first time since Dubai and her 3 tries were huge for the team in the 29-0 win," said Canada head coach, John Tait.
 
Canadian National Women’s Sevens Roster
 
Name(Club) (Hometown)
 
Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois Rivieres, QC
Jessica Dovanne, (Velox Rugby Club) Victoria, BC
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Jennifer Kish, Captain (Edmonton Rockers RFC) Edmonton, AB
Ghislaine Landry, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Cheryl Phillips, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Scarborough, ON
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Ashley Steacy, (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB
Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
 
Competing in Hong Kong as members of the International Barbarians:
 
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Megan Gibbs, (Markham Irish) Barrie, ON
 
Non-Travelling Reserves
 
Julia Greenshields, (Sarnia Saints RFC) Sarnia, ON
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
 
Coaches and Staff
 
John Tait, Head Coach, National Women’s Sevens
Sandro Fiorino, Assistant Coach, National Women’s Sevens
Tyler Goodale, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Meaghan Howat, National Women’s Manager
Brad Curry, Physiotherapist
 
Hong Kong Sevens
March 22, 2013
 
Day 1
Canada 33 - 0 Hong Kong
Canada 54 - 0 Japan
Canada 28 - 0 France
Canada 29 - 0 Australia
 
Guangzhou, China Sevens
March 30 - March 31, 2013
 
Day 1
Canada vs. Ireland – 11:50am local time
Canada vs. Japan – 2:12pm local time
Canada vs. Australia – 4:54pm local time
 
Day 2
TBD