by Adam Kyriacou

Canada reached the Plate final in the Dubai leg of the IRB World Series but could not claim the Sevens silverware from Wales on Saturday.

The Canucks entered Day Two on the back of impressive wins over France and the USA and an equally pleasing draw with Australia that saw them top Pool D. Confidence from that Friday effort was further enhanced when the statistics revealed that the squad boasted the best tackle completion rate, up at 92%.

And despite falling out of the Cup competition on Saturday, Canada will know that they are more than capable of mixing it with the so-called heavyweights in Sevens.

Cup Quarter-Final: Canada 7-19 Kenya

Line-up: 2 Thyssen de Goede, 4 John Moonlight, 6 Sean Duke, 7 Phil Mack, 9 Nathan Hirayama, 10 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Chauncey O'Toole

Canada will be left to wonder what might have been as several chances were missed to beat Kenya in a disappointing Cup Quarter-Final in Dubai.

Dominance in territory and possession undoubtedly favoured the Canucks but try-scoring chances unfortunately were not taken as John's side fell to a painful defeat.

Once again Canada began the match sprightly as Chauncey O'Toole carried well through the heart of the Africans before the ball was recycled and moved wide to Ciaran Hearn, who had one defender to beat on the right. However, he decided to ride the hit and subsequently was held up over the try-line thanks to a fine tackle.

Unlike yesterday, the early pressure the Canucks were applying was stoutly withheld as Kenya stood firm with some last-ditch tackles. Surely the score would come but after three minutes and John Moonlight's fine steal in contact, once more Canada found themselves deprived of opening the scoring in the knockout clash.

Finally the deadlock was broken in the seventh minute as Sean Duke scored at the second time of asking after recently being held up on the right sideline. The wing's try came on the left-hand side thanks to slick handling that shifted the point of attack for a much-needed score. Nathan Hirayama's conversion was excellent to make it 7-0, capping what was a one-sided half of Sevens rugby in Dubai.

The second-half was unfortunately one to forget for Canada as Kenya picked up possession straight from the kick-off via a loose ruck and Oscar Ouma raced over the whitewash close to the uprights. Biko Adema's successful extras tied up the scores at 7 points apiece in what proved to be a nightmare start for the Canucks.

John subsequently sent on one of yesterday's heroes, Jeff Hassler, for the final four minutes but when Duke had his chip kick over the defence charged down by Collins Injera, the rest was history as the veteran ran in despite Phil Mack's efforts. Mack did force Injera wide but a superb conversion pushed the Kenyans 7-14 lead.

Canada were then always playing catch-up with time ticking on and their efforts backfired when Mike Friday's side finished the job courtesy of a powerful surge down the left wing from Willy Ambaka, who made it 7-19 in a result that sent Canada into the semi-finals of the Plate competition where they'd face Portugal.

Plate Semi-Final: Canada 28-12 Portugal

Line-up: 2 Thyssen de Goede, 4 John Moonlight, 6 Sean Duke, 7 Phil Mack, 9 Nathan Hirayama, 10 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Chauncey O'Toole

Canada bounced back from their Cup quarter-final loss with an excellent display against a Portugal side that had beaten England and South Africa.

It was a performance that delighted head coach John in the post-match as straight from the kick-off the Canucks quickly found their stride. Hirayama, who following the game had returned to the top of the points scoring table in Dubai, opened matters on the left wing after showing good feet and strength to ghost past the last defender. His fine conversion from the touchline created an early 7-0 advantage.

Canada weren't done there either and defensive pressure on the Portuguese forced a spillage from Frederico Oliveira in his own 22-metre area. Hearn was the quickest to react to the bouncing ball and promptly grubbered through before gathering for a converted score that doubled the Canadian cushion in this Plate semi-final.

There were some concerns when a mini-fightback from the Europeans saw tries from first Diogo Miranda and then Duarte Moreira, which brought Portugal back to within two points of the Canucks at half-time, but following the resumption Canada found their rhythm once more and cut loose with a sensational free-flowing effort.

Hirayama again was prominent as his exceptional individual score - that began close to the halfway line - saw him leave the Portuguese defence grasping at thin air. The playmaker's excellent converted kick crucially extended the scoreline up to 21-12, which might have led to John's hungry outfit looking to close out the game.

Far from it as Hassler made his now trademark impact off the replacements bench, running hard and straight before offloading to wing Duke who finished well under pressure. Hirayama's excellent kicking continued as he made it 28-12 before the remaining fit players were given time on the field by a clearly satisfied coach John.

Plate Final: Canada 14-21 Wales

Line-up: 2 Thyssen de Goede, 4 John Moonlight, 6 Sean Duke, 7 Phil Mack, 9 Nathan Hirayama, 10 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Chauncey O'Toole

Canada fell to defeat in the Dubai Plate Final but went down with plenty of respect after a tournament that struck fear into all they played against.

For once the Canucks were the ones on the back foot in the early battle as Wales came out and landed the first blow with a try from James Davies in the first minute.

John's outfit didn't take long to recover though when Hearn unlocked the Welsh on the right of halfway before showing pace to race in under the posts, making it 7-7.

Because it was a final there was always going to be some nerves and caginess in possession, with the small areas set to win through when the final whistle would be blown in Dubai. Wales were sneaking those mini battles and when Rhys Jones found space on the right, he outsprinted his man and went in for a key score on half-time.

At 7-14 down, Canada needed to score next after the interval but when Davies switched with a team-mate and then changed direction immediately before racing in under the posts for a try with four minutes left, the task doubled in size for Canada, who struggled to recapture the fresh-legged form that beat Portugal in the semis.

Once more though the bench played its part and when Justin Douglas and Harry Jones exchanged possession down the right in a relay style breakout that ended with Jones scoring ten metres in from the touchline, the comeback was truly on. Hirayama kicked the conversion to make it 14-21 with about a minute remaining.

But Wales managed to weather the onslaught and held on to claim the Plate in a tournament that while ended with no silverware, was one of real progression and promise for Canada heading to the Port Elizabeth event in South Africa.

What head coach Geraint John said...

"The desire shown from the squad was very pleasing. I am fortunate to have a very talented group of players with great heart. All of them performed very well, with the players who came off the bench contributing to the performances and also results."

"This tournament showed that we can compete with the best."

"We all believe that Kenya in the Quarter-Final was a lost opportunity plus the Plate Final defeat to Wales but to finish sixth in an IRB World Series Sevens tournament must be deemed a success - but one which we want to build on and show the world that it was not just a one off. That is why we will spend a great amount of time on recovery and prepare again meticulously for next weekend. We have many sore bodies and may not know until Tuesday if those players will be ok for next week."

Canada's Roster for the Dubai 7s (club followed by hometown):
Nanyak Dala (Saskatoon Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK (captain)
Thyssen de Goede (James Bay Atheltic Association) Courtenay, BC
Justin Douglas (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
Sean Duke (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC
Lucas Hammond (Toronto Nomads) Toronto, ON
Jeff Hassler (James Bay Atheltic Association) Okotoks, AB
Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanders RFC) Conception Bay, NL
Nathan Hirayama (UVic Vikes) Vancouver, BC
Harry Jones (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
Phil Mack (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC
John Moonlight (James Bay Atheltic Association) Pickering, ON
Chauncey O’Toole (Belle Isle RFC) (Belle Isle, NB)

Head Coach: Geraint John
Assistant Coach: Kieran Crowley
Manager: Brian Hunter
Therapist: Carla Barsh

Dubai 7s
November 30 - December 1, 2012
Day 1:
Canada 20 v France 0
Canada 28 v Australia 28
Canada 26 v USA 7

Day 2:
Canada 7 v Kenya 19
Canada 28 Portugal 12
Canada 14 Wales 21

Canada’s National Senior Men’s 7s Team is proudly sponsored by Macquarie Financial and presented at the Dubai 7s by Bennett Jones.