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The ‘amazing, beautiful’ crowd reaction to Canada’s epic upset in Vancouver
When the full-time whistle sounded in the women’s third-place playoff at SVNS Vancouver, the Canadians on the field and those in the stands celebrated as if they were champions.
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In one of the upsets of the season so far, Canada defeated SVNS Series front-runners Australia to claim a “beautiful” bronze medal in front of their passionate home fans.
As the players swarmed one another on the field, the crowd let out a goosebump-worthy cheer that echoed throughout the venue at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.
Absolute SCENES on the full-time whistle from @RugbyCanada 🙌🇨🇦#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN https://t.co/ldJKqZKz1T pic.twitter.com/nPQcwPnKCt
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 26, 2024
It was an incredible moment that was worthy of a final. Canada’s 19-14 win over Australia stole the show at SVNS Vancouver as everyone made sure to soak up the momentous achievement.
“That was the most amazing, beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced,” Canada’s Charity Williams told RugbyPass. “I kind of feel like I blacked out a little bit but I knew that everyone was in an uproar.
“This is our family, this is our friends in the stands. Everyone in there is there is there for us.
“I just knew if we brought it home, we would feel it.
“This Series stop is probably one of the best in the world. Our Canadian fans ride so deep and they love rugby, but they especially love women’s rugby in Canada.
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“We see some of these people all the time at home, we train here, so we’re all just so connected.
“There’s honestly no place like rugby in Canada, especially at BC Place.”
Canada couldn’t have started the third-place playoff any better, either. Krissy Scurfield, who was named in the SVNS Series’ Dream Team after the event, got things underway in minute one.
Scurfield put a powerful right-hand fend on Australia’s Maddison Levi before running another 70 metres or so to open the scoring.
Canada strike first in our Bronze final 🥉#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN | @RugbyCanada pic.twitter.com/dRjzILg8Zc
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 25, 2024
Madison Ashby hit back for the Aussies a couple of minutes later, and while it was tense at the break with the scores locked at seven-all, it was Canada’s night in the end.
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Chloe Daniels and Charity Williams both crossed for five-pointers, and while Australia made it a one-score game with a Levi try in the 13th minute, Canada did enough to hang on.
“We have a bit of a new franchise in the last four or so years and we haven’t done that with this team,” Williams explained when asked about the significance of beating Australia.
“This is one of the biggest accomplishments since we’ve been together.
“I was just telling the girls, I’ve been on this team for a very long time and this is the best I’ve ever felt winning – not even gold, we won bronze but I feel like we won golf.
“It’s the most amazing experience. I’m just so proud to be a part of this team and I just know it only goes up from here, we just set a standard.”
If there was one more during the match itself which summed up the occasion best it was Williams’ try in the 11th minute.
Williams picked the ball up at a ruck and noticed there were open pastures ahead of her. The speedster ran in between Dominique du Toit and Madison Ashby to help give Canada a 12-point lead.
But the effort, it must be said, was deserving of style points as the Canadian opted to do a forward-roll somersault while placing the ball down.
“I don’t even know where that came from honestly,” she said, laughing.
“I just needed to touch the ball down in the most ridiculous way possible because it just felt like that was the pinnacle moment that shifted the game for us.”
The SVNS Series heads to Los Angeles next from March 1 to 3 and tickets can be bought HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to comments