Canada begins road to Rugby World Cup
GAME DAY: USA AT CANADA, NOON
It’s odd to have playoff-tension at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton in June. That’s usually reserved for the CFL’s Tiger-Cats in late fall.
But today, another code of football, rugby union, will take over the field. And for that, it’s show time. It’s all on the line when the Langford-based Canadian team meets the U.S. Eagles in the first leg (noon PT on TSN) of a twogame, total-point series that will decide the North American berth into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
The second leg will be played July 1 in San Diego.
There is a back-door route for the loser, but that involves going through South America for a wildcard berth into the World Cup.
“That would mean another six months of being anxious and uneasy. You just want to get the job done [now],” said Canadian head coach Mark Anscombe, in a conference call with national sports media.
“Both these teams want the security of knowing they are going to the World Cup. This local rivalry [Canada-U.S.] is huge.”
But it is not one in which Canada has been successful of late, having lost the last five Test matches against the Americans, although 38-17-1 all-time and holding a 15-4 edge in World Cup qualifying matches. It’s what have you done lately that counts the most and Canada has not beaten the U.S. since 2013 when it swept the last World Cup qualifier for 2015.
The U.S. is currently ranked 17th in the world and Canada sinking to 23rd.
“The rankings mean nothing,” said the Victoria-based Anscombe.
“This qualifying set is about who fronts up and takes advantage of opportunities.”
Key among those tasked with that are Canadian starters and Victorians Phil Mack and Connor Braid, both graduates of Oak Bay High and from James Bay Athletic Association.
Mack will start at scrum-half and Braid at centre.
“You can’t beat Phil’s experience,” said Anscombe, of the 31-year-old Mack.
“We want to take advantage of that experience.”
Especially so since the loss of injured two-time World Cup player Matt Evans of Duncan, who has 10 tries in 38 Test matches, leaves a huge hole among the backs and will have to be addressed by Canada.
Fellow-Islander Braid, meanwhile, is unheralded but reliable.
“Connor is a good, all-round footballer who is very professional and looks after himself,” said Anscombe.
“I am very excited about Braid and [fly-half] Shane O’Leary going together.”
DTH van Der Merwe of Victoria, a pro with the Newcastle Falcons, and former University of Victoria Vikes star and current Cornish Pirates pro Brett Beukeboom will co-captain Canada for the crucial qualifier.
The hard-hitting Beukeboom is a lock while van Der Merwe will move to start among the centres.
“DTH played in the 2011 World Cup at centre and we feel that position gives him more opportunities,” said Anscombe, of the South Africa native, who is probably Canada’s most naturally gifted player.
Three products of the Castaway Wanderers of Oak Bay get the call. Ray Barkwill and UVic Vikes-grad Jake Ilnicki will start on the front line and Ciaran Hearn at full-back.
The winner between Canada and the U.S. will advance to Pool C of the 2019 World Cup, described as the Pool of Death with England, France and Argentina. The backdoor route through South America would take the winner of that berth into Pool D, considered laxer with Australia, Wales and Georgia.
“You can get too precious with that kind of figuring,” scoffed Anscombe.
“I don’t worry about this pool or that pool in the World Cup. Let the pools take care of themselves. We just want to qualify.”
And now, not later.