LANGFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The 2023 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens filled Starlight Stadium with upwards of 4,000 rugby fans each day of the event as the draw of the home teams, thrilling rugby sevens, and the prizes up for grabs helped pack the stands. Hosted by Rugby Canada, the RAN Sevens displayed exciting tries, big tackles, and the camaraderie spirit of rugby whilst teams tried to qualify for further competition opportunities.
The Men's pool showcased both development of young talent and experienced skill across the six countries competing. With close encounters on day two, Mexico defeated the reigning 2022 RAN Sevens Champions, Jamaica, 10-7 and took their place on the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. It's just the second time the Mexican men will appear in the competition as Jamaica look to regroup ahead of their next RAN competition. USA upset the home team's chances of qualifying for Paris 2024 on home soil with a 24-14 win over the Canadians. Both Mexico and Canada Men will compete in next year's final qualification event for Paris 2024, the Olympic Repechage tournament. They'll face 10 other countries from around the world for a chance to punch the final ticket to the 2024 Summer Olympics. Barbados peaked just in time for the fifth place match against a spirited Bermuda team, defeating their fellow Caribbean nation 31-0.MEN'S STANDINGS1. USA – Qualified for Paris 20242. Canada – Qualified for Paris 2024 Repechage Tournament and World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series3. Mexico – Qualified for Paris 2024 Repechage Tournament4. Jamaica5. Barbados6. Bermuda
The favorites heading into the tournament did not disappoint, as Canada Women were perfect in their campaign across the two-day event and punch their tickets to Paris 2024 with a win over Mexico. After a 10-7 loss on day one to Jamaica, the Mexico women answered back in the semi finals when it mattered the most. Another close match between the two sides saw the Serpientes beat a promising Jamaica outfit 19-12 and ensure their return to the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in 2024. Both Jamaica and Mexico women will advance to the Olympic Repechage tournament. St. Lucia women were the only side to score on Canada across the women's competition, only reinforcing their growth and desire to continue to raise their hand on the RAN sevens stage as a team to watch out for.WOMEN'S STANDINGS1. Canada – Qualified for Paris 20242. Mexico – Qualified for Paris 2024 Repechage Tournament and World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series3. Jamaica – Qualified for Paris 2024 Repechage Tournament4. St. LuciaThe next sevens event for our senior men and women will be the Pan American Games, taking place November 3 and 4 in Santiago, Chile. Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and USA men and women will be competing but their competition pools will vary slightly. The four RAN men's sides will compete against Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay while the women will compete against Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay. Streaming and tournament details to come.
