The Langford-based Canadian national men’s team has an opportunity to begin proving, in a Test match today against Portugal in Lisbon, that its fall from the second tier of rugby is a blip and not a permanent condition.
World No. 23-ranked Canada has been eliminated from the 2023 World Cup after qualifying for all nine previous editions of the global showcase. Portugal is ranked No. 19 and in the hunt to nab a European qualifying berth into the 2023 World Cup in France.
“Portugal look like favourites to finish as the team that goes to the World Cup from the European Nations Cup, so it’s a big challenge,” said Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones of Sooke, the former Welsh international.
“I want to see our players continue their learning, particularly defensively. There are lots of good things, our set pieces have been excellent, I want to see that continue to grow and I want to see players excited to play and bounce back from a disappointing result last time out [stunning World Cup 2023 qualifying loss to Chile which eliminated Canada].”
There was a time when a Canada-Portugal rugby Test would have been lopsided in favour of the North Americans. But the sport is growing into new frontiers and Canada is among the nations to have lost the most ground, sliding from No. 11 in the world just a decade ago.
“The world is changing. Eight to 10 teams are now fighting for those final two spots into the World Cup,” says Jones, whose Canadian side captured the 20th and final berth into World Cup Japan 2019.
Canada will now be giving a lot of field time to younger players as it begins its rebuild for 2027 World Cup qualifying. Jones has pointed to Victoria players Lachlan Kratz, 21 and out of Oak Bay, and Quinn Ngawati, 22 and out of St. Michaels University School, along with Michael Smith, 23 and from White Rock, as being intriguing keys to the rebuild.
“All three of those guys will feature and I’m excited to see them have a run,” said Jones.
The trio of youthful B.C. players perform as pros in Major League Rugby with Smith chosen to start among the forwards today and Ngawati among the backs for Canada.
The Canadians will close out the November Test window next Saturday against No. 28 Belgium in Brussels. Portugal and Belgium are the kinds of national sides Canada needs to beat consistently.
