Rugby

SINGAPORE — Tries by Carissa Norsten, Shalaya Valenzuela and Fancy Bermudez lifted Canada to a 21-5 win over France at the HSBC SVNS Singapore on Sunday as the Canadian women finished third for the second week in a row on the top-tier HSBC SVNS rugby

SINGAPORE (AP) — New Zealand women retained the Singapore Sevens rugby title by defeating Australia 31-7 and Fiji men triumphed at the National Stadium for the first time in three years on Sunday.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Noah Lolesio's decision to take up a contract in Japan next year has posed another challenge to head coach Joe Schmidt as he assembles a Wallabies squad to play the British and Irish Lions in July.

SINGAPORE — Fancy Bermudez scored two tries Saturday to help Canada defeat the U.S. 31-21 and move into the Cup semifinals at the HSBC SVNS Singapore.

Back in Victoria after touring England and France and criss-crossing Canada to watch his players in action with their club teams, Canada rugby coach Kevin Rouet is ready for the next step on an important year for the Canadian women.

Alex Russell will captain Canada in the final round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Krakow, Poland, where the Canadian men will look to take a step closer to regaining their spot in the elite HSBC SVNS circuit.

Canada will play two test matches against the Springbok women in South Africa in July as part of its preparations for the Rugby World Cup.

HONG KONG — Sabrina Poulin scored the winning try as Canada downed France 21-17 Sunday to finish a season-best third at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

HONG KONG (AP) — Argentina's men won their first Hong Kong Sevens rugby title and New Zealand's women claimed their own history with a hat trick of championships on Sunday.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes have been late to the party in Super Rugby this season. While other teams shone in the first weeks of a tight competition, the Wellington-based Hurricanes lacked their usual luster.