Stakes are high for World Cup qualifier

The stakes are high on and off the field today as Canada takes on Uruguay in the opening leg of a crucial Rugby World Cup qualifier.

Failure to make the sport’s showcase tournament means less money from the governing body of world rugby. According to Rugby Canada’s 2015 annual report, World Rugby provided $3.7 million of its $16.1 million revenue - the largest contributor, with Sport Canada second at some $3 million.

“This isn’t just an important match on the field for moving up in the rankings, it’s an important match for the organization as whole,” said Rugby Canada board chairman Tim Powers of St. John’s.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on the players but I think anybody in the sphere of Rugby Canada and the Canadian rugby community knows it’s not just what’s at stake on the field this week but in some ways it’s operations of the organization, depending on how we do.

“Because the funding structure still in most major rugby nations is geared towards how the men’s 15s team performs. That may be a bit antiquated, but that’s a battle for another day.”

Powers said Rugby Canada’s current budget is in the range of $17 million to $20 million with some 13 to 15 per cent coming from World Rugby.

The 21st-ranked Canadian men have never missed a World Cup, qualifying on the first try in each of the previous eight tournaments.

But they stumbled at the first obstacle this time out, losing 80-44 last summer to the 17th-ranked U.S. in a two-game total-points series.

In the first leg, Canada squandered a first-half lead but reeled off 10 late points to tie the U.S. 28-28 in Hamilton. The rematch in San Diego was all U.S.A. as the physical Eagles won by a convincing 52-16 margin.

That set up the secondchance series with No. 18 Uruguay. Game 1 goes Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver while Game 2 is Feb. 3 in Montevideo.