Veteran Ashley Steacy bows out as Canada finishes third in rugby sevens finale
CLERMONT FERRAND, France — Veteran Ashley Steacy ended her international rugby sevens career on a winning note Sunday as Canada thumped France 36-7 to win the bronze medal at the Clermont-Ferrand Sevens.
New Zealand defeated Australia 22-7 to win the Cup that Canada has hoisted last year. It was the fourth straight tournament victory for the Black Ferns, who won five of the six World Series events to handily finish first in the season standings.
Canada ended up in the bronze medal game after losing 19-14 to Australia in the semifinal. With the two teams tied in second place at 82 points going into the tournament, that result consigned Canada to third spot in the overall standings behind the Aussies.
The Canadian women won the Cup in Sydney, finished runner-up in Japan and Langford, B.C., third in Las Vegas and sixth in the season-opening stop in Dubai.