Canadian men find success on their final try
Team qualifies for Rugby World Cup after beating Hong Kong in repechage qualifier
MARSEILLE, FRANCE Canada booked its ticket to the Rugby World Cup on Friday with a 27-10 win over Hong Kong, completing a perfect run at a last-chance qualifying tournament.
The Canadian men had to rely on their defence in the first half, repeatedly repelling a Hong Kong team that had 75 per cent of the possession, but trailed 14-3 at the break. Canada (3-0-0) bent but didn’t break with Hong Kong (12-0) unable to take advantage of its chances.
Canada was in control in the second half, grinding out the win.
Canada, ranked 21st in the world, becomes the 20th and last team to make the field for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Sept. 20 to Nov. 2. The road doesn’t get any easier for Canada, which will slot into Pool B at the World Cup alongside topranked New Zealand, No. 5 South Africa, No. 14 Italy and No. 23 Namibia.
Canada defeated No. 30 Kenya (65-19) and No. 28 Germany (2910) earlier at the four-team repechage tournament.
“A super-scrappy game, but we’re just so happy to get away with the win,” Canada captain Phil Mack said. “Now the hard work really starts and we’ve got to go to the World Cup and perform.”
Friday ’s victory improved Canada’s record to 11-20-1 since the last World Cup in 2015.
The Canadians have never missed out on the sport’s showcase event. But it was a lot more difficult getting there this time. In past years, Canada qualified on the first attempt. This time it had to qualify via the last-ditch repechage.
Friday ’s game opened in the rain at Stade Delort. Winger DTH van der Merwe scored two tries and veteran hooker Ray Barkwill added another for Canada. Gord McRorie kicked three conversions and two penalties. Van der Merwe, Canada’s all-time try scoring leader, had five tries to lead all comers at the repechage.
Conor Hartley scored a try for Hong Kong, ranked 22nd in the world. Matt Rosslee kicked a penalty and a conversion.
After scoring a pair of bonuspoint wins, the Canadians came into Friday in the driver’s seat with 10 points. Hong Kong, which lost 26-9 to Germany and picked up a bonus point in beating Kenya 4217, had five points.
Hong Kong dominated the early going, laying siege on the Canadian goal-line for the first 12 minutes.
After absorbing the pressure, Canada struck at the other end with the 38-year-old Barkwill crashing over from close range in the 18th minute to cap an attack started by a fine run from fullback Theo Sauder.
Hong Kong got on the board with a 33rd-minute Rosslee penalty.
Van der Merwe scored off the ensuing kickoff, blocking a Rosslee kick, retrieving the ball and rolling over the goal-line for a try.
Hartley, a supersized winger, crashed over in the 52nd minute for a converted try that cut the lead to 14-10.
McRorie slotted over kicks in the 62nd and 67th minutes.
Van der Merwe, headed to his fourth World Cup, then beat four would-be tacklers down the left flank for a try in the 71st minute.