HSBC SVNS: French form in Hong Kong suggests tough semi-final awaits Australia women

HSBC SVNS leaders New Zealand could be in line for a final date with second-place Australia, but Canada and France will believe the form they showed on day two at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium suggests they can reach Sunday's showpiece match.

QUARTER-FINALS

Canada became the first team to reach the semi-finals with their 26-17 success over Fiji. The nations traded four tries in the opening half before Carmen Izyk broke away to run towards the colourful South Stand and dot down for a 21-12 lead.

But Breanne Nicholas was sin-binned for a deliberate knockdown and, when Michell Seruvatu reduced the deficit in her absence, Fijiana had their opponents in their sights. Relief for Canada came from Carissa Norsten, who picked up from the ruck and sped home for her second try of the match.

"We haven’t won too many cup finals," said Olivia Apps. "It would mean everything to make history with this group."

Brazil beat Australia for the first time at Vancouver SVNS, but couldn't fell reigning champions New Zealand in Hong Kong. The Black Ferns won their pool contest and did so again in the last eight, 31-7, to set up a semi against Canada.

Michaela Brake (nee Blyde) scored two of her team's five tries to leapfrog Canada's Ghislaine Landry in the all-time points scoring list. Now on 1,359 points, she has her compatriot Tyla King in her sights.

"It is one of my goals to be ahead of Tyla," said Brake. "I love her to bits but I'm so competitive."

It would be wrong to say Australia won their quarter-final tie against USA at a canter: rather, their 35-5 success was won at pace, with accuracy and an impeccable attitude thrown in. Faith Nathan and Maddison Levi scored two apiece and Kiiahla Duff once as the States chased shadows, though Kriste Kirshe did give their fans something to celebrate.

Australia's semi-final opponents are France, who showed a similar intensity in their 34-0 win over Japan. Hawa Tounkara added to Carla Neisen's opener for France before twice teeing up Lou Noel, the second after she had leapt to collect a Japan kick-off.

NINTH-PLACE SEMI-FINALS

Tries by Maria Garcia, Denisse Gortazar and Silvia Morales helped Spain to a 17-7 win over Ireland, for whom Robyn O'Connor scored.

That was followed by an energy-sapping epic, featuring four yellow cards, as China eventually merged victorious against Great Britain. Match-winner Wang Wanyu touched down in the corner for a golden-point 24-19 win that looked unlikely in the additional period as their six players defended with everything they had.

POOL A: Hirini the Great

Sarah Hirini scored her 100th try for New Zealand in an exciting finale to the pool's ties. Hers was the Black Ferns' fifth and final in their 29-7 victory over Brazil.

"I’m pretty happy," said the captain and two-time Olympic champion. "I wanted to get that 100 mark so I’m pretty stoked."

Hirini's try made it 29-0 and at that point Brazil were outside a quarter-final place: they had to ensure they lost by no more than 25 points, or Great Britain would go through as a best third-placed team from Pool B. Step forward Thalita Costa - her sprint up the left flank was unmatched by anyone in a black shirt and meant Brazil would meet New Zealand again later in the day.

USA powered past China in the second half for a 24-10 win in the pool's other match.

POOL B: France and Fiji go through

Ireland gave France a fright but it wasn't enough to end their 15-game losing streak in the series. Megan Burns cancelled out a try for France's Oceane Buisson before Alanna Fitzpatrick's advance set up Clare Gorman to run it in for a 12-5 half-time lead for the Irish. Lou Noel's side-step and sprint took the game to golden point during which Romane Menager scored on her debut for a 17-12 win, one that gave Les Bleus top billing.

A huge run by Mereula Torooti to set up Ilisapeci Delaiwau marked Fiji's comeback against Great Britain, who had led through an early Lauren Torley score. Fans' favourite Lavena Cavuru produced two bits of magic to score twice in quick succession, catapulting her body through the British defence with wonderful hitch kicks.

Britain pushed Fijiana hard in their search for a bonus point that would have meant a quarter-final place, but a breakaway try by Rogosau Adimereani consigned Emma Uren and her team-mates to the lesser play-offs.

POOL C: Japan come close to historic win over pool-topping Australia

Australia's youngest ever team made it a hat-trick of pool wins when they beat Japan 14-10, but my, they had to work for it. Japan defended brilliantly, their organisation and courage frustrating Australia's attempts to break clear after Hana Nagata and Bridget Clark had traded tries.

Faith Nathan did find space on the right to make it 14-5 but Honoka Tsutsumi crossed over in the left corner after a big switch of play from the right, but just as the Sakura Sevens pushed for a first win over Australia, an unfortunate knock-on denied them a final attack.

Canada made it seven wins on the trot against Spain, a 29-10 victory enough to put them in second place and into the quarters. The Olympic silver medallists had five players on the scoresheet - Breanne Nicholas, Fancy Bermudez, Carmen Izyk, Carissa Norsten and Olivia Apps - suggesting that even without the injured Piper Logan, they have talent across the pitch.