Late heroics power Canada and USA to dramatic wins at SVNS Singapore

Canada’s Carissa Norsten and the USA’s Su Adegoke delivered match-winning heroics to power their teams to dramatic opening-round wins at HSBC SVNS Singapore. Norsten sealed a 29-24 extra-time win over France, while the USA left it late to beat Japan 22-19.

Katelyn Vaahakolo, Mahina Paul and Braxton Sorensen-McGee all crossed for doubles as two-time defending champions the Black Ferns Sevens ran away with a relentless 64-0 blitz against Great Britain early on day one.

SVNS Cape Town champions Australia also started their tournament in style, with Maddison Levi and Kaitlyn Shave among the try-scorers during a 28-7 victory against Fiji. Shave broke a couple of tackle attempts before racing away for a five-pointer during the second term.

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But two of the biggest stories on opening day of play at the National Stadium revolve around the sides from North America. Canada showcased their fitness and fight to win an extra-time thriller, with France clawing their way back from a 24-5 deficit with six minutes left.

Coach Jocelyn Barrieau welcomed back a quartet of 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup stars for the next two SVNS Series stops. Fancy Bermudez, Olivia Apps, Gabrielle Senft and Alysha Corrigan are all back in action on the world’s premier sevens circuit this weekend.

Corrigan made an immediate impact back on the SVNS Series, crossing for the opener in the first minute, before Apps added the extras with the conversion attempt.  Kennedi Stevenson and Norsten touched down for a try each during a dominant first half performance.

Kelly Arbey hit back for France just before the break, but Canada had still done plenty of damage on the scoreboard, taking a 17-5 lead into the huddle. The Canadians built on their lead almost immediately once play was underway, with Stevenson completing a double.

But that’s when France started their comeback.

Lili Dezou, Arbey and Lou Noel registered one try each, giving Lilou Graciet a chance to win it with a late conversion. With that attempt missing the mark, both teams regrouped for their respective huddles, preparing for an extra-time period of golden point.

Norsten was the hero for the Canadians in the end, flying down the right edge to score with less than three minutes left in extra time. That match set the tone for an unmissable weekend at SVNS Singapore – you can catch up on the action on RugbyPass TV.

After New Zealand’s big win against Great Britain, it was time for the USA and Japan to meet for an intriguing Pool A matchup. Japan have been one of the best teams on the circuit this season, sitting in third place on the women’s standings after Dubai and Cape Town.

Hazuki Ouchida scored two tries in the first half, while Hanako Utsumi powered over for one, as Japan took a 19-0 lead into half-time. But seven minutes is a long time in the world of sevens, giving the USA plenty of time to fight their way back.

Kaylen Thomas was first to strike in the second term, before Adegoke added another five points to the USA’s tally. There was a sense of déjà vu when both players recorded doubles in the final few minutes, with Adegoke’s 15th-minute effort completing a famous comeback.

“It feels great. We came out here and wanted to build from the last tournament to this one and just persevere and play to our values,” Thomas said post-game on the broadcast.

“We did that for this game.”