The Canadian national 7s team was outstanding on Day One at the New Zealand 7s in Wellington Friday.

Canada almost went through the day 3-0, but their record of 2-1 was good enough to ensure a place in the Cup Quarterfinals for Saturday.

Canada opened up their campaign with a shock defeat of the much-improved France team. 

Two tries in the first half gave them a lead they would not relinquish, as Canada won 19-14.

Canada 19  France 14
Tries: Hirayama, Hearn, Trainor
Convs: Hirayama 2

Next up was Australia, and while the North Americans kept it close, it wasn't quite enough. Conor Trainor scored with time up to make it 14-12, but captain Nathan Hirayama, whose goalkicking has been outstanding all season, especially at the Pan-Am Games, could not get the kick over for the tie.

Canada 12 Australia 14
Tries: Duke, Trainor
Convs: Hirayama


But that still set up the key final match against Kenya. Both sides went in to the game 1-1, with the winner likely to emerge 2nd in the pool. Kenya struck first, and led at halftime after a lengthy period of play after the hooter ended with Collins Injera going over.

But tries from Nanyak Dala and Trainor put Canada ahead with a little over two minutes remaining, and their defense did the rest.

Canada 21 Kenya 14
Tries: Trainor 2, Dala
Convs: Hirayama 3

Hirayama's conversion kicking was once again brilliant, as he hit six of eight on the day, and added a try, also.

Update: Thanks to a 10-10 tie between France and Australia, Pool D ended up all sorts of confused. France managed to eke out a 2nd place, with Australia 3rd and Kenya 4th. Canada, at 2-1, topped the pool. Good news for them as that puts them against Samoa in the Cup Quarterfinals, rather than New Zealand.