It has come down to one game and the stakes could not be higher as the Langford-based Canadian men’s rugby team prepares for its most important Test match in a generation. Either Canada or Hong Kong will earn the 20th and final berth into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Canada moved to 2-0 with a 29-10 victory over Germany (1-1) on Saturday in the repechage World Cup qualifier in Marseille, France. Hong Kong (1-1) defeated Kenya (0-2) by a 42-17 count to set up the deciding match between Canada and Hong Kong on Friday (noon on TSN). It is reported a win in that game could be worth up to $10 million in World Rugby funding, sponsorships and endorsements for the national program of the side that advances.
“We still have one more to go,” said Canadian captain Phil Mack of Victoria, following Saturday’s game in Marseille.
“We will reflect on this [victory over Germany] and carry on and hopefully get a trip to the World Cup.”
Canada looked the superior side, but the stubborn Germans were still within a converted try at 17-10 and driving in Canada’s end with 12 minutes remaining. That’s when Evan Olmstead ripped the ball right out of a German attacker's hand for a crucial steal. It led to Gord McRorie passing to Shawnigan Lake School graduate Matt Evans of Duncan for a try that finally gave Canada some breathing room. McRorie then added a try, Canada’s fourth of the game, to give the winners an important bonus point.
“It was incredibly difficult,” Mack said.
“We knew Germany would come out strong and be a big and physical side. We prepared for that. Going into the game was one of the most pressure-filled feelings I’ve ever had. I am proud of the way our boys hung together and stuck it out.”
The game was won in the trenches.
“Our forwards really fronted. And games are won up front,” said Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones.
The forwards and scrum built the platform for the close-in tries scored by Evans, McRorie, Tyler Ardron and Lucas Rumball.
“Our forwards did a great job of carrying the piano. And the [backfield] guys played it,” said Jones.
Four points are awarded in the standings for a win, two for a tie, and a bonus point if a team scores four or more tries in a game or if a team losses a game by less than eight points.
Germany and Kenya have been eliminated.
Canada, which defeated Kenya 65-19 in its opener, is on 10 points and Hong Kong, an upset 26-9 loser to Germany in its opener, on five points. Canada needs one more point in the standings to advance to the World Cup. It can do that by beating or tying Hong Kong on Friday or scoring four or more tries in a loss or by losing by less than eight points. Hong Kong needs the full five points to qualify, so Canada can also advance by losing but denying Hong Kong a bonus point by holding it to three tries or less.
But there is no way the Canadians want to back into the World Cup in that fashion. Just win Friday and all the other calculations won’t matter.
“You play each game as it comes. It’s Test rugby and you want to win each one,” said Jones.
“I think we were deserved winners against Germany but still with a few things to work on. It was tough at times. Germany is a strong, big side and it’s a Cup match. It shows massive maturity for our team. It was a great performance . . . a fantastic 23-man effort. But we can’t have any complacency. It’s a big game [against Hong Kong]. Everything depends on it for us.”
This is the third time in nearly a year-and-a half that Canada has been in position to clinch a spot and keep alive its streak of qualifying for every World Cup. The first opportunity ended in a blowout loss on July 1, 2017, to the U.S. in San Diego in the back end of the two-game North American qualifier. The second attempt concluded in a second-half collapse this year on Feb. 3 against Uruguay in Montevideo in the back end of the Americas’ region repechage qualifier, which sent Canada hurtling into this last-chance world qualifier.
Before beating Kenya and Germany, Canada had only won four of its previous 22 Test matches dating to the start of 2017.
“This team has been through so much,” said Mack, a product of Oak Bay High, University of Victoria Vikes and James Bay Athletic Association.
“It’s been a couple of tough years with a lot of losses in a row. But each one of those has really prepared us for this situation.”
