Canada U20 – June 2023

Canada Lose Game #2 39-14 and Series on Aggregate 82-35: FULL MATCH REPLAY

It was 22-14 for USA at the half and they did all the second half scoring to win 39-14 and win on aggregate 82-35.

The USA opened the scoring 5 minutes in when their blindside flanker, Cameron McAlpine, beat three would be tacklers and scored. It was a try that shouldn’t have happened at this level and as the 82 point aggregate hints, defence was an issue for Canada. Noah Flesch saw a gap and tied the score up at 7 minutes, it was converted and Canada had a 7-5 lead. USA kicked a penalty at 30 minutes and were in the lead 8-7. Canada took back the lead with a score out wide by Craig Mitchell-Herman at 32 minutes, 14-8, and there was a glimmer of hope as the aggregate was now reduced to 16 with the conversion.

The lead didn’t last long as the USA outside centre, Dominic Besag, punished the Canadians as he did last match. He scored a solo try from 60 metres out, beating a couple of would be tacklers, and with the conversion USA were up 15-14. Both USA tries to this point were long range, solo efforts. There was just over 2 minutes until half time. Noah Flesch was called on a tip tackle and received a yellow card, USA found space out wide, a missed tackle and USA were up 22-14 at the half.

At the 50 minute mark the USA #4, Dylan Fortune, literally ran over a few Canadian defenders to score from 30 metres out. There was no coming back from that try, it not only crushed a few bodies, it seemed to crush the spirit of the Canadian team. It was 29-14, then 34-14, and finally 39-14. The aggregate 82-35.

Where to from here for the Canada U20 program? Canada will host next year, always an advantage. The new guy, High Performance Director Stephen Aboud, will have a say in the 2024 look of the team. He started this month, it’s wait and see what he does. The men’s national XVs program is in a bit of a mess right now from the senior level down. There’s been years of indecisive leadership at Rugby Canada, the consequences are starting to compound quickly.

Match Replay

Canada

Scorers: Noah Flesch (1T), Craig Mitchell-Hermann (1T), Owain Cormack (2C)

USA

TRIES | C. McAlpine, D. Besag, C. Smith, D. Fortune, A. Faison, C. Saint
CONV | O. Cline (3)
PK | O. Cline


*Canada Make Some Adjustments to Roster for Game 2: Kickoff 3pm PT on Saturday*

Canada make a few changes for game 2. Only Cole Kelly the tighthead retains his spot in the front row with Aaron Clark going loosehead and Jeffrey Young getting the start at hooker. Caden Wilson replaces Muiredach Casey in the second row, the loose forwards and the halfbacks remain the same. Liam Poulton replaces Marcus D’Acre at outside centre, the USA scored two tries from their outside centre so it looks like Canada are making some defensive adjustments. Poulton played outside centre for the BC U19 team that won the 2022 national championship. Craig Mitchell-Hermann of James Bay gets into the roster for the first time and replaces Josh Eustache on the wing. On the bench Jordan Auger gets into the roster for the first time at prop, as does Brady White as reserve scrum half.

Canada have to make up a 22 point deficit so have to go full throttle from the opening kickoff. Kickoff is at 3pm PT and is streamed on the subscriber site FloRugby ($30 a month).

1 Aaron Clark (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Canucks RFC
2 Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Cardiff Met RFC / Toronto Nomads
3 Cole Kelly (Mississauga, ON) – Trinity College Dublin / Wicklow RFC
4 Sol Jacques (Penticton, BC) – University of British Columbia / Penticton Harlequins
5 Caden Wilson (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
6 Grant Meadows (Richmond Hill, ON) – Brock University / Aurora Barbarians
7 Taine Clague (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / James Bay AA
8 Olly Wiseman (Chiswick, UK) – Cardiff Met RFC / London Wasps
9 Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Crescent School
10 Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Guelph University / Oakville Crusaders
11 Craig Mitchell-Hermann (Abbotsford, BC) – James Bay AA
12 Noah Flesch (Coburg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Coburg Saxons
13 Liam Poulton (Chilliwack, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
14 James Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Pacific Pride / Abbotsford RFC
15 Owain Cormack (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
16 Evan Roy (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Beavers
17 Charles Trollip (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
18 Jordan Auger (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
19 Muiredach Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
20 Lachlan McGrigor (Toronto, ON) – Bath University
21 Brady White (Pictou County, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC
22 Alastair Marshall (Hudson Bay, SK) – University of British Columbia / Regina Rogues
23 Marcus D’Acre (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders


*USA Win Match #1 43-21 – Match #2 on Saturday: MATCH HIGHLIGHTS*

Canada lost the first match of a 2 game series versus the USA by 22 points. Canada were down at the half 31-7 but play was even in the second half with Canada having the slight edge 14-12, that may give them some encouragement going into the second game on Saturday.

For those watching the U20 programs over the years, this result is not that surprising. The USA, after failing to qualify for the World Cup, took some decisive actions which included dismissing the head coach and putting Scott Lawrence in charge of the men’s senior and U20 programs. He is a former USA U20 coach (and capped Eagle) and led the USA U20s to their first, and only, Junior World Trophy Tournament title in 2012 where they were promoted (temporarily) to the Tier 1 competition. He indicated early on he was results oriented and that the U20 men’s program was a priority. It was clear he was going to put the necessary resources into the program to get results, and game one seems to verify that strategy.

There’s still hope the Canadian men can turn things around in game 2.

Scoring for Canada came through the forwards with the hooker, tighthead and #8 scoring. For the USA their outside centre scored 2 tries, their wing scored 1 try, their #10 added 1 and two others were added from the loosehead prop and #8.

Canada Scorers: Michael Di Lella Jr (1T), Cole Kelly (1T), Olly Wiseman (1T), Owain Cormack (3C)

USA Scorers: TRIES | D. Besag (2), A. Christians, S. Pongi, T. Reed, O. Cline
CONV | S. Crimp (5)
PK | S. Crimp


*Canada U20 Name Team for USA Match on June 6th*

The match is on at 3pm PT on June 6th from South Carolina and it’s streamed on FloRugby.

Rugby Canada released the roster on social media as follows.

1 Evan Roy (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Beavers
2 Michael Di Lella Jr. (Orono, ON) – Guelph University / Oshawa Vikings
3 Cole Kelly (Mississauga, ON) – Trinity College Dublin / Wicklow RFC
4 Muiredach Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
5 Sol Jacques (Penticton, BC) – University of British Columbia / Penticton Harlequins
6 Grant Meadows (Richmond Hill, ON) – Brock University / Aurora Barbarians
7 Taine Clague (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / James Bay AA
8 Olly Wiseman (Chiswick, UK) – Cardiff Met RFC / London Wasps
9 Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Crescent School
10 Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Guelph University / Oakville Crusaders
11 Josh Eustache (Brantford, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / University of Waterloo
12 Noah Flesch (Coburg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Coburg Saxons
13 Marcus D’Acre (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
14 James Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Pacific Pride / Abbotsford RFC
15 Owain Cormack (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
16 Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Cardiff Met RFC / Toronto Nomads
17 Aaron Clark (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Canucks RFC
18 Caden Wilson (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
20 Liam Poulton (Chilliwack, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
21 Lachlan McGrigor (Toronto, ON) – Bath University
22 James Clarke (St. John’s, NL) – Pacific Pride / Swilers RFC
23 Alastair Marshall (Hudson Bay, SK) – University of British Columbia / Regina Rogues
26 Charles Trollip (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC


*Canada Team Named for USA Series June 6th and June 10th*

from Rugby Canada

Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team will meet the USA in a two game series this June to determine the North America berth for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Trophy.

The team will play the American U20 men’s team on Tuesday June 6 and Saturday June 10 in Spartanburg, South Carolina on the campus of University of South Carolina Upstate (kick off for both games is 3:00 p.m. PT/6:00 p.m. ET).

The winner of this series will play in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Trophy, which returns this summer for the first time since 2019. Eight teams will compete in Nairobi, Kenya from July 15 to 30, with the winner earning promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship for 2024.

The team was selected following a U20 Men’s Long List Camp that was held in February at Shawnigan Lake School in BC and a tour in Uruguay in early May, where the Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team had a 21-16 loss to Uruguay and a 21-9 loss to Spain.

“We were fortunate to be able to learn so much during our tour to Uruguay,” said Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Adam Roberts. “We’ve added players to our roster and bolstered our skills, and we are heading to the USA with a continued sense of enthusiasm. We’re excited to continue building every day.”

Ahead of their departure to South Carolina, the team held a camp in Ontario at Brampton RFC, which concluded with a friendly scrimmage session with the Toronto Arrows Academy.

Both World Rugby U20 Trophy Qualifier matches will be livestreamed on FloRugby.

CANADA’S U20 MEN’S USA TOUR ROSTER

FORWARDS

Jordan Auger (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
Muiredach Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
Taine Clague (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / James Bay AA
Aaron Clark (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Canucks RFC
Michael Di Lella Jr. (Orono, ON) – Guelph University / Oshawa Vikings
Sol Jacques (Penticton, BC) – University of British Columbia / Penticton Harlequins
Cole Kelly (Mississauga, ON) – Trinity College Dublin / Wicklow RFC
Grant Meadows (Richmond Hill, ON) – Brock University / Aurora Barbarians
Lachlan McGrigor (Toronto, ON) – Bath University
Joe McNulty (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
Evan Roy (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Beavers
Charles Trollip (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
Caden Wilson (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
Olly Wiseman (Chiswick, UK) – Cardiff Met RFC / London Wasps
Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Cardiff Met RFC / Toronto Nomads

BACKS

Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Guelph University / Oakville Crusaders
James Clarke (St. John’s, NL) – Pacific Pride / Swilers RFC
Owain Cormack (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
Marcus D’Acre (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
Josh Eustache (Brantford, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / University of Waterloo
Noah Flesch (Coburg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Coburg Saxons
Alastair Marshall (Hudson Bay, SK) – University of British Columbia / Regina Rogues
Craig Mitchell-Hermann (Abbotsford, BC) – James Bay AA
Liam Poulton (Chilliwack, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
James Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Pacific Pride / Abbotsford RFC
James Webb (Toronto, ON) – Queen’s University / Balmy Beach RFC
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Crescent School
Brady White (Pictou County, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC

NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES

Callum Arneson (Fernie, BC) – University of British Columbia / Hillcrest Villagers
Samson Brown (Vancouver, BC) – Claremont College Lions / UBC Old Boys Ravens
Jaiden John (Mississauga, ON) – Pacific Pride / Mississauga Blues
Ethan Lee (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Ravens RFC
Kieran Martin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY

Alastair Bruce (Cape Town, RSA) – Pacific Pride / Bishops Diocesan College
Tyler Matchem (Pictou County, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC

Posted in National Men's XVs.

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