Rugby·Recap

Canada undefeated in pool play at women's World Rugby Sevens in Japan

Canada defeated Spain, China and Australia to go undefeated in their pool at the women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event in Japan.

Canadians score impressive win over Australia, next play Russia on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET

Bianca Farella, seen passing the ball in Canada's opening match against Spain, scored a try in that 26-17 victory at the women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Kitakyushu, Japan, on Friday. (Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Canada notched a 17-14 victory over Australia on Saturday to go undefeated through pool play at the women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event in Japan.

The Canadians, third overall in the standings, will next play No. 7 Russia in the Cup quarter-finals on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

WATCH | Canada vs. Australia:

World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Japan: Canada vs. Australia

6 years ago
Duration 20:48
Watch Canada battle Australia at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Kitakyushu, Japan

The other Cup quarter-finals see the second-ranked Americans versus No. 1 New Zealand, No. 4 Australia versus No. 8 England and No. 5 France versus No 6 Ireland.

New Zealand, which had gone 18-0 in winning the three previous tournaments, went 1-1-1 after thumping Japan 43-0, tying Russia 17-17 and losing 29-7 to France.

Bianca Farella, Karen Paquin and Kaili Lukan scored for Canada in its 17-14 win over No. 4 Australia with Landry adding a conversion.

The team began the tournament with a 26-17 win over Spain, thanks to tries from Charity Williams, Brittany Benn, Lukan and Farella while Captain Ghislaine Landry added three conversions.

WATCH | Canada vs. Spain:

World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Japan: Canada vs. Spain

6 years ago
Duration 19:39
Watch Canada battle Spain at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Kitakyushu, Japan

Canada then returned to the pitch and thumped China 42-19. Williams and Farella each contributed two tries in the win. 

WATCH | Canada vs. China

World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Japan: Canada vs. China

6 years ago
Duration 20:58
Watch Canada take on China at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Kitakyushu, Japan

Karen Paquin, returning to the sevens squad for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Keyara Wardley, winning her first cap, also scored tries. Landry and Breanne Nicholas added three conversions apiece.

Canada is coming off a fifth-place finish in Sydney and is tied for third with Australia in the overall standings.

CBC Sports has live coverage of the tournament through to the Cup final on Sunday.

With files from The Canadian Press