HSBC SVNS: New Zealand's Brake sets new try-scoring record in Vancouver

Five tries in seven first-half minutes propelled 29-year-old New Zealander Michaela Brake to the top of the all-time women's sevens scoring charts on the first day of the Vancouver HSBC SVNS.

Brake's second try against Ireland drew her level with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe on 256 before she went on to score four more across her team's two matches.

"She has been a role model of mine," Brake said of Woodman-Wickliffe after the 58-7 win over Ireland. "It’s an honour to be up there with her."

POOL A: Brazil and Australia chase unbeaten Canada

Brazil gave Canada a test, Isadora Lopes cancelling out Charity Williams' opener for the hosts, before Yasmin Soares began a profitable day by making it 12-12 after Williams had somersaulted her way over the line to temporarily restore Canada's lead.

Florence Symonds and skipper Piper Logan had the home fans cheering with their scores before the indomitable Soares added her second, 26-19 the final score.

"For all the young women, to see professional sport played in Vancouver is super important," Logan said pitchside afterwards. "We’re very lucky to be here."

Australia looked imperious as they breezed past Spain 42-0. Faith Nathan used her searing pace to score either side of half-time in a one-sided contest that gave no hint at what was to come for the world No.2 team in the evening's final match.

Despite impressing against Canada, few would have fancied Brazil to beat Australia for the first time. Indeed, prior to Brazil's magnificent 14-12 victory, Australia had never lost any pool game in Canada. They led 12-0 at the break thanks to Teagan Levi and Nathan but two converted Soares tries gave Brazil the advantage.

"We work all together," explained an ecstatic Raquel Kochhann afterwards. "When the ball is alive we keep fighting." That spirit was evident when Thalia Costa somehow raced back to thwart Mackenzie Davis in the dying seconds when she had looked certain to score.

POOL B: USA dig deep against China and keep pace with New Zealand

United States fought back from 10-0 down to beat China 21-10 in an exciting match. Wang Wanyu spun around and dropped over the line to give China the lead and they might have scored another had they not wasted a three-on-one opportunity.

Chen Keyi did, though, soon extend China's lead as USA left gaps in defence. Sariah Ibarra was uncatchable as she scorched across 70m under the dome to bring USA to within three points at the interval, and it was 24-year-old Susan Adegoke who took the scoring out to 21 points with her first try for her country.

The States went on to beat Ireland 31-17 in the team's second match with Tessa Hann and Ariana Ramsey each scoring twice.

After her record-breaking feat against Ireland, Brake scored another try in New Zealand's 38-7 win over China, one of five players to score in the six-try haul.

POOL C: Japan stun Fiji

Tries by Lavena Cavuru and Ilisapeci Delaiwau appeared to have set Fiji on their way to victory over Japan.

However, Mayu Yashino scored during Reapi Ulunisau's sin-binning to cut the deficit and, although Fiji survived Sera Bolatini's yellow card for a high tackle without further concession of points, Minako Taniyama and Honoka Tsutsumi scored to register only Japan's third win over Fiji in the HSBC SVNS.

The match ended 19-14, and it was the same score in Japan's victory over Great Britain, Jade Shekells scoring twice but ending up on the losing team.

Earlier, Shekells had helped her team into a 17-0 lead over France, Ellie Boatman and Grace Compton the other early scorers. Anne-Cecile Ciofani and Carla Neisen ran over for a try each but they could not stop Great Britain's women emulating the achievement of their male counterparts in a triumph over France as they lost 17-10.

Fiji's subsequent 24-12 win against France leaves them tied on four points with Great Britain with Japan two points clear at the top of the pool.