Canada, Australia, France and New Zealand all qualified for the Championship semi-finals on an unpredictable day of Grand Final action in Madrid that saw Canada shock New Zealand but only just hold off Great Britain in extra time.
Canada, who ended New Zealand’s 27-match winning streak with their 26-17 win, had to go deep into golden point time against GB, their 22-17 win securing top spot in Pool A.
Despite their loss to Canada, New Zealand still secured a place in the semi-finals with a 38-5 victory over the USA. They will face an in-form Australia side, while giant-slayers Canada will face France.
In the HSBC SVNS Play-off, China beat Poland 40-0 to go unbeaten in the pool stages, setting up their winner-takes-all showdown against fellow Challenge tour hopefuls Belgium. Spain will face South Africa, Japan take on Argentina and Brazil do battle with Poland with places on HSBC SVNS 2025 on the line.
HSBC SVNS Championship
Pool A
Tries from Charity Williams, Olivia Apps and Piper Logan saw Canada take an unlikely 21-0 lead over New Zealand into the break.
A fourth from Keyara Wardley took them even further ahead, and despite a flurry of replies from Stacey Waaka, Jorja Miller and Jazmin Felix-Hotham, a knock-on from the Black Ferns Sevens ended their comeback hopes, Canada earning their first win over the New Zealand since 2016.
Canada led GB at half time in their second game, but tries from Lauren Torley and Heather Cowell sent the game to golden point. GB defended valiantly, but Canada kept coming phase after phase, Wardley getting the crucial touchdown.
It has been a tough campaign in Madrid for GB who had been edged 14-12 by the USA earlier in the day, both sides exchanged calamities at either end of the field in the closing moments.
After leading 12-7 thanks to a brace from Jasmine Joyce, Great Britain fell behind after a loose ball couldn’t be gathered by Meg Jones, Steph Rovetti pouncing on the opportunity to take her side ahead. With USA in possession and seconds to go, a miscommunication saw them kick the ball dead, handing GB a final attacking chance. However, a misplaced offload ended their hopes of victory.
In the last game of the day, Jorja Miller scored a brace as New Zealand got back on track with a 38-5 win over the USA.
Pool B
Maddison Levi scored seven tries on day two as Australia went unbeaten in Pool B.
First half dominance saw Australia lead Fiji 24-7 at the break after a double from Levi, who added a third shortly after the break. Kaitlin Shave gave Australia their fifth as they cantered to a 31-14 win.
Levi was once again the star against France, crossing for four tries in a 28-14 victory. Anne-Cecile Ciofani and Lou Noel both scored in the opening seven to be within a score of Australia at half time but failed to add to it in the second half.
France had won their first game of the day against Ireland by 31-5, who themselves regrouped for a 26-19 win over Fiji, although it was not enough for a semi-final place.
HSBC SVNS Play-off
Pool A
Braces from Yan Meiling and Chen Keyi powered China to a 40-0 defeat of Poland in their final pool game. With a three from three record to top Pool A, China will face Belgium tomorrow in their winner-takes-all tie.
Recovering from yesterday’s loss against China, Japan overcame Spain 26-14 to secure their own shot at glory, with Argentina awaiting them on finals day. For Spain, a shootout against South Africa awaits.
Pool B
Brazil were the victors in their Pool B showdown with South Africa, winning 24-0 to give themselves a game against Poland to maintain their core status next season.
Despite two second half yellow cards, Argentina were able to hold on for a 19-14 victory over Belgium.