WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Canada finished 11th at the HSBC Wellington Sevens on Sunday after losing 26-7 to Samoa in the consolation Bowl semifinals.
After going 1-2 Saturday, the Canadian men defeated Russia 35-12 to open Day 2. Harry Jones scored three tries for Canada with singles from Admir Cejvanovic and Lucas Hammond.
Cejvanovic scored the lone Canadian try in the loss to Samoa.
New Zealand won the tournament, rallying from 14-0 and 21-7 deficits to down South Africa 24-21 in the Cup final. A fifth title in six years at the New Zealand event, thanks to a match-winning try from Joe Webber, moved the All Blacks into third place from seventh in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
South Africa took the series lead ahead of Fiji. Canada, which finished ninth last season, moved up one spot in the overall standings to 12th after three of 10 stops on the circuit.
Next up is Sydney next weekend.
Russia and Samoa are two of the teams Canada will face at a last-ditch Olympic qualifying tournament in June. The tournament winner will join Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Britain, Argentina, the U.S., France, Japan, Australia, Kenya and hosts Brazil at the Rio Olympics.