CAnADiAn rugGErs romp ovEr KEnyA

DTH van der Merwe scored three tries to power Canada to a 65-19 win over Kenya on Sunday in the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup repechage tournament. Canada, ranked 23rd in the world, dropped into the repechage after losing qualifying series against the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles and No. 18 Uruguay. Sunday’s match was the first meeting between the Canadians and Kenyans. Also playing in the repechage for the 20th and last berth in the 2019 Rugby World Cup are No. 21 Hong Kong and No. 29 Germany. Canada plays Germany next Saturday. The round robin winner will slot into Group B in Japan alongside top-ranked New Zealand, No. 5 Australia, No. 14 Italy and

No. 22 Namibia. Canada has participated in all eight previous Rugby World Cups, all at the first qualifying attempt.