Commerford plays big in Texas for Canada
U20 team beats U.S. to earn World Rugby U20 Trophy tourney berth
Steve Commerford got his first taste of international rugby and he wants more.
The Peterborough native and Brock University standout helped Canada earn a berth in the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy tournament Aug. 24 to Sept. 10 in Bucharest, Romania. Canada will represent North America after winning a two-game series against the United States, in Houston, Texas, on June 12 and 16, by an aggregate score of 82-62.
The Adam Scott Lions grad and Peterborough Pagans back played all 80 minutes of each game.
“When I showed up at camp my only goal was to make the team,” said Commerford. “From there it was to try to be a starter. Once that happened our one goal was to beat the States and then worry about all the rest after.”
The Trophy features eight teams vying for one spot to be promoted to the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship. Canada will compete against Romania, Samoa, who were relegated from the top tier, Hong Kong, Uruguay, Fiji. Namibia and Portugal.
“We’re all getting really excited about it because it’s another chance to play for Canada and to play rugby at a high level,” Commerford said. “It will be pretty cool to see rugby all around the world and to be in a huge tournament like that.”
Canada won the opening game against the U.S. 60-22 blowing open a game that was 15-10 at half-time. Canada rallied from a 14-0 deficit in game two to lead 15-14 early in the second half before the U.S. took control.
In the first game, the U.S. got a red card which put them down a man.
“We came out pretty strong in the first game. We were only up 15-10 at the half,” Commerford said, “but in the second half the floodgates opened. We kind of knew that was going to happen just by how the game was going. We were playing really well. We missed a couple of kicks In the first half because of strong winds but we had all the momentum going.
“Once they got that red card it gave us a little advantage 15 on 14 and we rolled with it. It wasn’t a typical game, It’s aggregate, so as soon as you see them starting to break you think this is really our opportunity to take control of the game and take control of the series. I’m glad we did because the second game was a little bit different.”
The early deficit in game two served as a wake-up call and Canada climbed on top early in the second half.
“They had the lead 26-22 with 20 minutes left so it was a closely contested game to that point. That’s when we started to break. They scored a try and the heat started to get to us pretty good. It was 38 degrees (Celsius) with the humidity. We were pretty gassed by the end.”
Being on the roster doesn’t guarantee a spot in Romania. Commerford said the team will hold another selection camp in August in Victoria, B.C.
“I think the whole purpose of that is to make you a bit uncomfortable. It makes you think twice about drinking beers with your buddies all summer. I think it was their way of letting us know they want us to work,” Commerford said.
“I don’t want to say I feel comfortable but I like where I am. I had a good chat with my coaches after and I feel if I put in the work over the summer, as I know I will, I should have a pretty good chance of making that team again.”