Canada closes in on Rugby World Cup
After victory over Germany, qualification for 2019 event requires only win or tie against Hong Kong
MARSEILLE, France — Canada moved a step closer to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with a 29-10 win over Germany at a lastchance qualifying tournament.
Canada, ranked 21st in the world, can book its place at 2019 World Cup in Japan with a win or tie against No. 24 Hong Kong in the repechage finale on Friday.
“We still have one more (game),” said captain Phil Mack. “So again just like last week, we’ve got to reflect on this, carry on and then hopefully, we’ll get a trip to the World Cup.”
The Canadian men top the four-team round robin with 10 points after their second straight bonus-point win while Hong Kong has five points, Germany four and Kenya none. Saturday’s loss eliminated the 26th-ranked Germans, who can finish with no more than nine points.
Hong Kong needs a bonuspoint win over Canada — scoring four or more tries — while denying the Canadians a bonus point (scoring four tries or losing by fewer than eight points) to move into first place.
The first tiebreaker in the event of a tie is the result between the two tied teams.
“I felt it was tough at times, we knew it would be,” said Canada’s coach Kingsley Jones. “Germany is a really strong side, a big side, and it’s a Cup match. Sixty-minute mark, it’s no surprise the score was close but to come away with a bonus point when it’s such a big game shows massive maturity from our team.”
No. 29 Kenya is also out of the running after losing 42-17 to Hong Kong earlier Saturday at Stade Delort.
The repechage winner will complete the World Cup field, slotting into Group B at the 2019 tournament in Japan alongside top-ranked New Zealand, No. 5 Australia, No. 13 Italy and No. 22 Namibia.
Lucas Rumball and Tyler Ardron also scored tries for Canada, which led 10-7 at the half. McRorie kicked a penalty and added three conversions.
Dasch Barber scored for Germany. Raynor Parkinson booted a conversions and a penalty.
Canada has never missed a World Cup.
Millions of dollars are at stake. Rugby Canada has said missing out on the sport’s showcase could hit its bottom line to the tune of $10 million with World Rugby funding going elsewhere.
Canada thumped Kenya 65-19 in its opening game while Germany beat Hong Kong 26-9.
The Canadians put Germany under pressure from the get-go. The Germans held strong but paid for a series of second-half penalties that killed chances of a comeback.
Canada’s power in the forwards proved to be the difference although handling errors delayed the scoreboard ticking over.
Matt Evans’ try in the 68th minute, off a fine inside pass from Gord McRorie, gave Canada some breathing room with a 22-10 lead. McRorie then went over in the 72nd minute for the fourth try that netted Canada a bonus point and, with his conversion, a 29-10 lead.
The Germans are coached by Mike Ford, the former England defence coach who previously led Leicester, Bath and Toulon. He took over in September, inheriting a diverse roster that includes a cable-car driver and bouncer.
The repechage wraps up Nov. 23 when Canada faces Hong Kong and Germany tackles Kenya.
Canada dropped into the repechage after losing qualifying series against the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles (8044 on aggregate) and No. 18 Uruguay (70-60 on aggregate).
Germany landed in the repechage after losing a playoff to Samoa, which moved into Pool A at the World Cup. The Germans ended up in that Europe versus Oceania playoff after Rugby Europe Championship winners Romania and runner-up Spain were disqualified for breaching player eligibility laws.