These guys don’t just do soccer.
Italy, a Six Nations rugby side, defeated Langford-based Canada 20-18 on Sunday before 13,125 fans at BMO Field in Toronto. It continued a distressing pattern for Canada of losing close Test matches in the late going. That included a 23-18 Canadian loss to Italy in pool play during the 2015 World Cup.
“It just shows you’ve only got one or two chances a game and you’ve got to take them and at crucial times we didn’t finish,” said Canadian coach Mark Anscombe, in a statement, following Sunday’s game.
“[Italy] took their opportunities and grinded out a win in the end.”
Canada is 2-7 all-time against Italy, which has won its last six meetings with Canada and is ranked No. 13 in the world.
Canada began its June Test series with a 26-22 loss — with a familiar late collapse (and a furious late drive that just fell short) — to No. 11 Japan at B.C. Place. That was followed by a 46-21 victory over Russia in Calgary that moved the youthful Canadian side up one spot to world No. 17. Canada prepared for the June Tests with a training camp held at Shawnigan Lake School.
Ciaran Hearn was brought back into the XVs mix following his efforts in last weekend’s failed Canadian attempt in sevens to advance to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in the last-chance qualifier held in Monaco. Hearn, who on Sunday became only the 16th Canadian player to register 50 career caps, was shown a yellow card at 27 minutes.
Now a pro with London Irish, the 30-year-old Hearn joined fellow Castaway Wanderers products, forwards Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki, on the starting Canadian roster from the Oak Bay-based club.
Starting at fullback Sunday was Matt Evans of Duncan, who animated Canada’s 2015 World Cup campaign with a spectacular try against Italy.
“I’m proud of a lot of the things this team has achieved [in the June series],” said Anscombe, the Kiwi transplant, who resides in Victoria.
“We’ll come away from this summer series wiser and knowing a lot of guys have stood up. The character and resilience of the team was excellent and they stayed in the fight right until the end.”
