US rout Canada to book 2019 Rugby WCup berth

Rabbitohs pound Panthers Williams banned

SAN DIEGO, July 2, (AFP): The US Eagles thrashed Canada 52-16 to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on Saturday in a triumphant finale for veteran captain Todd Clever.

The Americans ran in eight tries against an overpowered Canada side and will now advance directly to the pool stage of the finals in Japan as the top seeds from the Americas zone.

The reward for Eagles is a place in Pool C which will contain England, France and Argentina as well as a yetto-be determined qualifier from the Oceania region.

It marks the first time in World Cup history that the United States have qualified for the tournament ahead of Canada, who now face a two-leg playoff against Uruguay next year for a further tilt at qualification.

After last week’s first leg in Canada finished in a thrilling 28-28 draw, the two teams met at San Diego’s Torero WELLINGTON, July 2, (RTRS): British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien has been cleared to play the third and final test against the All Blacks at Eden Park next Saturday after being found not guilty of dangerous play during the second match in Wellington.

O’Brien was cited after television footage showed his forearm clearly made contact with the face of All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo as the Irish loose forward joined a tackle in the 59th minute of the match at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Meanwhile, All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been suspended for four weeks and will miss the third and deciding test against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday.

Williams was sent off for a dangerous shoulder charge on Lions winger Anthony Watson during the second test, won 24-21 by the visitors to level the series at 1-1, at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.