Ardron scores try in Canada win
Canada tops Germany to move a step closer to Rugby World Cup
MARSEILLE, FRANCE — Lakefield’s Tyler Ardron scored a try as Canada moved a step closer to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with a 29-10 win over Germany at a last-chance 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 this 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 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.
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 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 (80-44 on aggregate) and No. 18 Uruguay (70-60 on aggregate).
Women’s sevens rugby
Lindsay’s Olivia Apps, of the Lindsay Rugby Club, is among the 13 Team Canada women’s sevens rugby players who will travel to Dubai this week for the second round of the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series next weekend.
Coming off a third-place finish in the Glendale, Colorado last month, the roster remains unchanged with the same 13 players travelling to the next round.
Sitting in pool C, the women will face off against Fiji and
Spain before playing France who currently sit fourth in the world rankings. Canada beat France in the Glendale Series bronze medal match 28-0.
Fans can watch the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series live on www.cbcsports.ca:
• Canada vs. Fiji — Nov. 29 at 3:22 a.m. Eastern
• Canada vs. Spain — Nov. 29 at 6:18 a.m. Eastern
• Canada vs. France — Nov. 29 at 9:15 a.m. Eastern