Canada Ride Dominant Forward Performance to a 40-15 Win Over Brazil
Canada (#23) defeated Brazil (#26) 40-15 to claim 3rd place in the La Vila tournament. USA (#18) defeated Spain (#19) 42-12 to win the tournament, Spain came second.
It was a good effort by the forwards who scored 5 of the 6 tries. The defence was able to contain the Brazil attack which fizzled out after the first 20 minutes.
It was the Canadian pack that turned the match around, Brazil were ahead 10-0 20 minutes into the match, after a converted try and a penalty kick. Brazil were looking more dangerous in the backline. It was two consecutive scrums that Canada dominated that turned the tide, the second winning a penalty which led to field position and posession inside the Brazil 5 metres. Lucas Rumball was able to finish that one off for a 10-7 scoreline.
Dominance in the lineout changed momentum during the 20-30 minute mark, Canada won their lineouts and Brazil lost 3 consecutive lineouts on their own throw in. That changed their mindset as they attempted a penalty kick instead of a lineout and maul on their 4th attempt, they missed the kick and the momentum had swung. Canada won penalties on their next 2 lineouts and that put them inside the Brazil 22, from there they mauled their way to the 5 metres and eventually used pick and go to cross the line, Rumball getting his 2nd try.
With 5 minutes left in the half, Brazil were on attack inside the Canada 22 but again the forwards changed the game, a steal at the breakdown, it looked like Andrew Quattrin who won the penalty and relieved pressure for Canada.
The half ended 14-10 for Canada and it was Canada’s advantage in the set pieces and Brazil’s shaky lineout that were the main contributing factors.
Canada started the 2nd half with a penalty won at the breakdown, the referee calling Brazil coming in from the side at the ruck but tighthead Conor Young was over the ball and forced the penalty. The lineout and maul worked to perfection and Canada took the ball to the line and then pick and go with Matt Oworu scoring the try, 21-10, and the momentum was clearly in Canada’s favour.
Five minutes later Canada won a penalty at the scrum, pushing Brazil backwards, and again kicked it into the Brazil 22 for a 10m lineout. The maul was stopped short but several phases of keeping it close saw Cole Keith cross the line, 28-10 for Canada with still 30 minutes to play.
Brazil were starting to self destruct now as they chased the game, a between the legs pass from the ruck bounced off the face of the scrum half and play was reset, at the scrum Canada were awarded a free kick. Next possession for Brazil they dropped a ball in the backline with no pressure. With no set piece advantage, Brazil were inclined to quick tap their penalties in the Canada half, again they knocked the ball on and Canada had a great counter attack opportunity. The Canadian backline weren’t consistently sharp today and the opportunity fizzled.
Brazil kept making errors, they had a chance to kick for touch on a penalty and set up a maul but they missed touch on the kick. They won another penalty, had a 5 metre lineout but Mason Flesch stole it for Canada. On the ensuing clearing kick, two Brazil players slipped trying to return the ball and Canada turned it over. Brazil, at this point, couldn’t do anything right. On the turnover, Povey made the first clean break in the backline for Canada, that go forward ball was finished off by a grubber by Ben Lesage and a touch down by Andrew Coe. The backs had their first try, 33-10. The match was over with 20 minutes left.
Each team would score one more try to finish at 40-15.
The forwards as a group were the Player of the Match for Canada, Rumball scored 3 tries but the tight five did their work and set the platform, Oworu had some strong runs and Flesch was a factor in the lineouts.
Scorers: Lucas Rumball (3T), Matthew Oworu (1T), Cole Keith (1T), Andrew Coe (1T), Peter Nelson (4C), Robbie Povey (1C)
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team won the third place play-off match of La Vila International Rugby Cup on Saturday in Spain, a 40-15 victory over Brazil and the team’s final test match of the year.
A converted try followed shortly afterwards by a penalty kick gave Brazil a 10-0 lead in the first 11 minutes, but after several phases at Brazil’s 5-metre line, captain Lucas Rumball scored his first of three tries. Converted by Peter Nelson to put the score at 10-7, Canada edged closer to Brazil.
Another Rumball try converted by Nelson pushed Canada into the lead in the 32nd minute, with Canada holding a 14-10 lead at half-time.
“It wasn’t a perfect start, but what I was proud of is our ability to rebound. Rugby is a game of 80 minutes of back and forth and possession and power, and it shifts. You have to have the ability to ride that wave and come back at it when you get the opportunities,” said Rumball. “I thought our boys did really well at responding. Still, I think a few too many errors earlier on. It’s something we need to work on, but the response from the guys to bounce back and stay in it and come into half-time leading was great.”
Two minutes into the second half, a well-placed kick from Robbie Povey gave Canada a lineout inside Brazil’s 22, leading to Matthew Oworu scoring his first ever international 15s try. Nelson went three for three on conversions to put the team up 21-10.
Canada’s next try was also converted by Nelson and scored in a similar fashion off a strategic kick from Povey for another lineout. The ball ended up in the hands of Cole Keith after several phases, who scored for the second game in a row.
Andrew Coe gave Canada a 33-10 lead, chasing a ball that was kicked ahead into the try zone by Ben LeSage. Brazil managed to strike once more, but Canada had the last word, with Rumball scoring off the scrum, converted by Povey to put the final score at 40-15.
“Last week we were really disappointed. We took a long look in the mirror, one through 23, especially some of our senior boys who started the match. So I think it was a pleasure to take the field and get an opportunity to right the ship this week,” said LeSage. “The first 10 minutes didn’t go the exact way we planned it, but we turned it around. We knew if we could stay in the game we could win the physicality. We’ve got the fitness. We’re pleased to put in an 80 minute performance and finish on a note to be proud of.”
Reid Watkins earned his first cap for Canada, entering the match in the second half.
“Great evening for the players. We wanted a good start, but unfortunately we gave away a few needless penalties that put Brazil into good positions which they capitalized on with a try, but the team bounced back well,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones. “Importantly, the group got the feeling of how to build the game and build pressure on the scoreboard. In particular there was a decisive period at the start of the second half where we controlled the kicking game, played on the front foot, and really built up momentum. The forwards were outstanding in gaining penalties and scrum and tries from the resulting mauls. We earned the right to go forward which later allowed us to play some expansive rugby.
“Players talk about Canadian grit, and the most pleasing thing for me was that when we were in the lead with a couple minutes left, we kept Brazil out with a great defensive set. Learning how to win, that’s one of the biggest things to take away from this. Understanding why we put ourselves in certain positions, like at the start, and how when we play the right way we’re able to build momentum and take control of the game.”
With this win, Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team moves up the World Rankings two spots to 21, having entered the tournament ranked 23rd.
Canada Name Team to Face Brazil on Saturday 7:00 am PT Kickoff on TSN+
Canada have made a few changes to the roster that lost to Spain last weekend. Djustice Sears-Duru is injured so Cole Keith moves to loosehead prop and Conor Young starts at tighthead prop. The reserve props are Liam Murray and Tyler Rowland.
Kyle Baillie moves from blindside flanker to 2nd row and Mason Flesch gets the start at blindside. Kainoa Lloyd replaces Josiah Morra on the wing and Mitch Richardson gets the start in the centres with Gabe Casey moving to the bench. Ben Lesage moves from outside to inside centre. Cooper Coats comes into the roster as one of the 3 reserve backs.
It’s almost a year to the day, November 19 2022, when Canada played Namibia and lost 43-37. Cooper Coats scored 17 points in that match with tries by Corey Thomas (2) and Andrew Quattrin (2). Missing from that team are Corey Thomas, Josh Larsen, Josh Thiel, Lindsey Stevens, Kyle Steeves, Piers Von Dadelszen, Ross Braude, Owain Ruttan, David Richard and Brock Webster.
The teams have met 4 times before with each country winning 2.
Feb 2019 Brazil 18 – Canada 10 in Brazil
Feb 2018 Canada 45 – Brazil 5 in Canada
Feb 2017 Brazil 24 – Canada 23 in Brazil
Feb 2016 Canada 52 – Brazil 25 in Canada
Canada
1. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – Greater Sydney Rams / New England Free Jacks
4. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Spotswood United RFC
5. Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars / Old Glory DC
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Toronto Arrows
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto Arrows
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
10. Robbie Povey (Northampton, UK) – Long Bukby RFC / Houston SaberCats
11. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – Rugby New York
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
13. Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University / Toronto Arrows
14. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Houston SaberCats
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC / Toronto Arrows
16. Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / New England Free Jacks
17. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
18. Tyler Rowland (Mississauga, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Pacific Pride / Toronto Arrows
19. Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Ottawa Ospreys / New England Free Jacks
20. Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors
21. Reid Watkins (Okotoks, AB) – Seattle Seawolves
22. Gabe Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria
23. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
Brazil (vs USA / Canada)
BRAZIL
1 Matheus Rocha / Caique Segura
2 Endy Willian / Leonardo de Souza
3 Wilton Rebolo
4 Gabriel Paganini / Matteo Dell’Acqua
5 Matteo Dell’Acqua / Gabriel Oliveira
6 Cléber Dias
7 Adrio de Melo / Matheus Cláudio
8 André Arruda
9 Felipe Gonçalves / Douglas Rauth
10 Lucas Spago
11 Daniel Lima
12 Victor Silva / Robert Tenório
13 Lorenzo Massari
14 Ariel Rodrigues
15 Lucas Tranquez
16 Henrique Ferreira
17 Caíque Silva / Matheus Rocha
18 Leonel Moreno
19 Ben Donald / Gabriel Paganini
20 Matheus Cláudio / Ben Donald
21 Douglas Rauth / Adrio de Melo
22 Robert Tenório / Felipe Gonçalves
23 João Amaral
from Rugby Canada
The roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s third place play-off match against Brazil has been named by Head Coach Kingsley Jones.
The match will kick off at El Pantano Stadium in Villajoyosa on Saturday November 18 at 4:00 p.m. local time (7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET). This will mark the first time Canada has played Brazil in a test match outside of the Americas Rugby Championship. The two nations met last October in a non-capped development match, with Canada winning 31-14.
A number of changes have been made to Canada’s roster following last Saturday’s loss to Spain. Cole Keith will line up at loosehead prop following injury to Djustice Sears-Duru, with Conor Young moving into the starting tighthead prop position. Mason Flesch, Mitch Richardson and Andrew Coe also move into the starting 15, with Conor Keys and Gabe Casey moving to the bench. Kainoa Lloyd returns to action at right wing, his first selection of the tour following recovery from injury.
Also entering the mix are Tyler Rowland, who recently re-signed with the Toronto Arrows, and Cooper Coats, a member of Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team. Both players earned their first caps for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team against Wales in 2021 and are returning to competition with the squad for the first time this season after long-term injury recovery.
Reid Watkins will have another opportunity to earn his first cap for Canada, with the Seattle Seawolves scrumhalf starting on the bench for a second game in Spain.
“We were very disappointed with the performance against Spain, in particular how we started the match. The group has worked hard over the last few days, with a particular focus on mental prep before everything we do. We need to see a good start against Brazil,” said Kinglsey Jones. “We are pleased with the focus, the grit and the dedication we’ve seen from all 32 players, and we have learned a lot about the group in the past two weeks. We know we need to see that reflected in our performance against a physical opponent and we are expecting Brazil to be equally as hungry for the win on Saturday.”
The match will be available live on TSN+, the new stand-alone digital streaming service from Canada’s Sports Leader. TSN+ is home to an extensive slate of live sports coverage from around the world, including Rugby Canada matches. For more information on TSN+, including subscription options, visit TSN.ca/TSN+.
Tickets are on sale here.
The DHL Predictive Challenge returns for Canada’s match against Brazil. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the players who they think will lead the team in tackles, running metres, line breaks and turnovers made ahead of Saturday’s match, with a chance to win prizes. Details on how to participate will be announced on Rugby Canada’s social media channels.