Canadian women's rugby 7s team defeats U.S. to secure 5th place at tournament in B.C.

The Canadian women's rugby sevens team held on to secure a fifth-place finish at the World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Langford, B.C., with a 12-7 win over the rival Americans on Sunday.

Canada advanced to the fifth-place play-off with a 26-19 upset victory over Olympic bronze medallists Fiji in their fifth-place semifinal, which followed a tough 38-0 loss to reigning Olympic champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

The eighth-ranked Canadians struck first against the U.S. as Florence Symonds continued her strong play with a try in the first half at Starlight Stadium. Canada added insurance when Keyara Wardley broke into the open field for another try in the final minute of the half.

Captain Olivia Apps converted the second try to put the World Cup-bound squad up 12-0 entering the second half.

The U.S. cut the lead down to five points with a try from Kristi Kirshe and convert by Alena Olsen with less than six minutes left, but Canada managed to lock down the win in front of the 2,758 rowdy home fans. It is Canada's best result so far this season in the World Rugby Sevens Series. 

WATCH l Canada takes down U.S. to claim 5th place on home soil:

Canadian coach Jack Hanratty's message throughout the prestigious two-day, 12-team event was one of consistency and a chance for his youthful home side to gain experience against quality competition.

"We've just beaten two teams that are known among the world's best. One, you want to back it up, and to be able to back it up today is exceptional," a delighted Hanratty said of the back-to-back wins.

"That's the highest position that we've finished [this year]. To be top five in the world in a tournament that had all the top teams. There was nobody missing here.

World No. 1-ranked Australia defeated New Zealand 21-17 in the final to capture gold later on Sunday, while bronze went to Ireland after a 22-14 win over Tokyo silver medallists France.

Australia, who defeated Canada 28-5 on Saturday, also clinched the 2022 HSBC World Sevens Series title with one more stop remaining in France.

The Americans blanked Spain 17-0 in the other fifth-place semifinal.

Symonds and Krissy Scurfield, with her second try of the match, scored in the second half to lift Canada over Fiji. Those tries gave Canada 15 for the weekend, matching its series best for a tournament.

The Canadians held a 14-12 lead at halftime on tries from Wardley and Scurfield.