LANGFORD, B.C. — Canada crumbled in the quarter-finals of the HSBC Canada Sevens rugby tournament on Sunday, squandering a 12-0 lead in the last two minutes to lose 14-12 to France.
Camille Grassineau scored with 1:40 remaining and Jessy Tremouliere crossed over with no time remaining before Shannon Izar made a tough conversion to put the French ahead.
It was only the second win for the French in 11 meetings with Canada, which had not conceded a point in three wins Saturday.
Bianca Farella and Kayla Moleschi scored tries for Canada, which now plays Russia in consolation play. The home side cannot finish higher than fifth at the World Series event.
In other quarter-final action, Australia blanked Spain 28-0, New Zealand thumped Russia 43-0 and England downed the U.S. 29-7.
France will meet New Zealand in one semifinal while Australia plays England in the other.
Canada came into the tournament third in the overall standings, behind Series leader Australia and New Zealand. France was fifth.
It marks the second year in a row at the tournament that Canada has gone unbeaten on Day 1 and then fallen in the quarter-finals. Canada finished sixth last year.
