Spearheaded by Team GB trio Luke Treharne, Morgan Williams and Tom Williams, newcomers Callum Williams and Iwan Pyrs Jones caught the eye last weekend in the Singapore leg while Pontypridd’s Cole Swannack is quietly becoming an influential member of the squad.
“We should have beaten Scotland in pool play and really, we were well in the game against Argentina but fell away. New Zealand were just on a different level and you could tell they wanted to make a statement on their return to the world series,” said Pugh.
“The boys then did really well on day two against England and took the game to extra time where Callum Williams forced his way to score the decisive try to claim the golden point winner.
“Then the game against France just showed how important it is to keep the ball. We showed some glimpses of what we can do when we do that so they are lessons the boys will take into the tournament in Vancouver where once again, we have a tough pool.
“Samoa will offer a physical presence as they showed they mean business after reaching the quarter-finals in Singapore when they also returned to the world series.
“We’ve seen first-hand how good New Zealand are and Japan possess speed and flair so it is going to be a case of putting some more building blocks in place as we continue on the world series.”
South Africa lead the Series with 98 points, ahead of Australia and Argentina tied second on 83 points.
The HSBS Canada Sevens is the sixth out of nine rounds in the 2022 Series where fresh from their victory in Singapore, Fiji will face the USA, Kenya and England in pool A.
Australia have reached the medal podium in three of the five rounds so far in the 2022 Series and will face stiff competition in pool C from Series leaders South Africa, who won the first four rounds of the Series prior to Singapore. Hosts Canada will be looking to draw inspiration from the home crowd support with Spain completing the pool C line-up.
Ireland were in impressive form to finish fourth in Singapore and they are drawn together with Argentina, France and Scotland in a what promises to be a very competitive pool D.
Vancouver Pool B fixtures
Samoa v Wales (Sat, 17.44)
New Zealand v Wales (Sat 21.17)
Japan v Wales (00.06 Sun)
