GAME DAY: USA VS. URUGUAY, 5: 30 P.M. ARGENTINA VS. CANADA, 7: 30 P.M.
Argentina, a top-tier rugby nation, has pedigree on its side.
Canada will counter with a home crowd expected to number more than 3,000 on its side when the two nations, both 2-0, meet for the Americas championship tournament title tonight at 7: 30 at Westhills Stadium.
Uruguay and the United States, both 0-2, play in the consolation game at 5: 30 p.m.
The tournament features the national 'B' teams of the four nations - those players being groomed for promotion to the full national sides for future World Cups and Olympics.
Of those four national teams, the Pumas of Argentina are the best and most famous.
But Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade downplayed his side's seeming actual and historical advantage for tonight's deciding fixture against second-tier rugby nation Canada.
"We don't think of ourselves as the favourites," said Hourcade.
"Canada is a very good team. This is a very important match for us. We play to win but it will be difficult. We have a young team."
Sure, but it's a young team of potential future Pumas.
"We want to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of this tournament. We are very happy to be in Victoria. It is a beautiful place and the organization of the tournament has been very good," said Hourcade.
Canada has never backed down from a challenge in rugby, and it certainly has one today against the two-time defending champions of this tournament.
"The goal is to win [tonight]. The goal is to beat Argentina," said 20-year-old player Patrick Parfrey of St. John's, who sports one of the greatest names in Canadian rugby, with dad Dr. Pat Parfrey a legendary figure in the sport in this country.
"We're really excited to be part of this game and on home turf. The crowds have been very useful for us throughout this tournament and we [Canadian players] are grateful."
But the Canadians also know a crowd can be silenced.
"Argentina is obviously a very good team," said Parfrey, whose older brother Owen Parfrey is also on the Canadian side.
"We have to be on top of our game and can't make mistakes or we will be punished."
Argentina captain Tomas Cubelli already has seven caps with the Pumas and is one of those players who will be a handful for Canada.
"This is an opportunity to see our young players in a tournament like this," said Cubelli.
"But rugby is to win. We came here to win and want to win. We know, though, this will be a tough match against Canada and that we have to play our best."
Canadian coach Kieran Crowley of Mill Bay was looking beyond just the immediacy of today's game.
"It's been a great tournament with great support," said the former New Zealand All Black World Cup champion.
"It has showcased rugby to a lot of people who didn't know much about the sport before this. The positive benefits of that will live on a lot longer than the tournament. This has been good for the sport."
