Chile Romp to Victory Over Canada 44-14 in First November Test: Match Video
Chile scored in the first 30 seconds of the match, that pretty well summed up the match. Chile came out with intensity, they kicked long, chased well, swarmed the receiver whose support was slow arriving, the ball popped out of the ruck, several offloads later and they were over, 5-0. The difference in the level of intensity between the two teams was noticeable in that first minute. It looked like Ethan Fryer may have been the one injured in that ruck as he staggered off under assistance. #20 Sion Parry came into the match.
Canada were awarded a penalty on a Chile ruck infringement 5 minutes in, penalty kicked, 5-3 Chile. Chile’s intensity was beginning to show some downside as they ran up 3 straight penalties, Canada took the 3, 6-5 for Canada at 10 minutes.
At the 12 minute mark a poor chase on the clearing box kick gives Chile a good platform for attack and then the Chile openside flanker, Raimundo Martinez, just muscled his way through half the forward pack from 40 metres out. A strong run from Martinez but an indictment on the tackling and physicality of the Canadian forwards. 12-6 for Chile.
At 20 minutes Chile won their first scrum penalty and set a marker. At 24 minutes a Canada attacking maul got overpowered and the ball stolen, it set up a counter attack that got inside the Canada 22. Nothing came of it but the confidence level of Chile went up knowing they’re winning the contact area. A few minutes later a backline attack sees a number of offloads in the tackle and Chile #23, a replacement outside back, is across the line. 19-6 for Chile.
The last 10 minutes sees mistakes by both sides, Chile have the advantage in the scrum but they didn’t win any more penalties, Chile run up some penalties which Canada use to their advantage, moving up the field and eventually kicking for posts. Half time, 19-9 for Chile. Player of the first half was probably the Chile openside, Raimundo Martinez, not only scoring a try but winning the collisions on both sides of the ball.
Canada put themselves under pressure early in the 2nd half with a backline move where the ball goes to ground and gets kicked ahead inside the Canada 22. Canada manages to exit but Chile have good territory inside the Canada half. It looks like Cali Martinez has replaced Cole Keith at loosehead prop.
Chile score off the lineout from a simple backline move with the fullback splitting the Canadian centres, romping down the pitch and passing off to the scrum half, Benjamin Videla, who scores the try. A very disappointing defensive effort by the Canadian backline. 26-9 for Chile with 37 minutes left in the match.
From the kick off Chile clears with a box kick, then reclaims the ball by winning the ruck but get pushed out of bounds. Andrew Coe is holding his wrist but stays on. Some loose play and a Canadian player is down, it may be Ben Lesage and Mitch Richardson is on at outside centre.
Canada have a lineout but again the maul gets out muscled, held up and going backwards, and Chile are awarded the scrum. Canada’s scrum has stiffened up a bit since Cali Martinez came in at loosehead and Chile are now just happy to play the ball quickly to the backs from their scrum. Chile win the kicking exchange, put up a high ball, reclaim it and it’s a 4 on 2 on the outside. Quick hands to the outside and #13, Domingo Saavedra, crosses the line, the Chilean announcers on the live stream are loving every minute of this. 31-9 after 50 minutes and the match is basically over as a contest.
Three minutes later Chile again score on the outside, #11 the try scorer, it’s looking ridiculously easy for them now. Conversion missed, 36-9. Another three minutes and Chile have another score on the outside, #11 again, 41-9. Chile start bringing in the subs. It looks like Callum Botchar is now on for Canada. Brock Gallagher is on at scrum half.
With 15 minutes left in the match, Chile goes for the posts now on a penalty, 44-9.
Cooper Coats is now on but not playing first receiver, it looks like he replaced Andrew Coe on the wing, Peter Nelson is still at #10, Andrew Quattrin picks up a yellow card for what looked like a tip tackle. Just over 10 minutes left now. #16 Jesse Mackail comes on at hooker.
Five minutes left, Chile win a scrum penalty, but still no sign of Tyler Matchem who is the only sub left now.
With 3 minutes left, Canada finally get a try, Lucas Rumball lurking on the wing gets the ball from Cooper Coats, runs over the defending fullback and dots it down, 44-14, the final score.
Not much to say about the match, Canada gave up some easy tries, never really looked dangerous on attack. Chile won the collisions, were more physical, and were the better team on the day. It’s a snapshot of where the programs are right now, Chile going in the right direction, Canada falling back a bit more.
Match Video
Canada Announce Squad to Face Chile in Saturday Match Hosted in Romania
The last time these teams met in 2021 was not a happy memory for Canadian rugby fans, as Canada were eliminated from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the first time Canada had not been part of a Rugby World Cup tournament.
It’s the same coach, Kingsley Jones, and 6 players return from that match in 2021. Andrew Quattrin and Cole Keith were reserve front row for that match, they get the start 3 years later. Lucas Rumball was openside flanker in 2021, he’s #8 now. Peter Nelson returns as starting flyhalf and Jason Higgins who was reserve scrum half in 2021, is now the starting #9. Ben Lesage returns as starting outside centre.
Although the McMullin brothers aren’t on tour, the Flesch brothers both start with Noah getting his first start in the centres and Mason starting in the second row alongside Kaden Duguid. Conor Young continues as the recent choice for tighthead. Ethan Fryer and Matt Heaton are the flankers and the back three are Morra, Coe and Benn.
There’s no sign of Balaski or Thiel so Cooper Coats would be the backup #10, although recently Jones has gone exclusively with Nelson at #10 with little playing time for anyone else at first receiver.
The reserve front row is Matchem, Mackail, Martinez, Callum Botchar is reserve second row, Sion Parry reserve flanker, Brock Gallagher reserve scrum half, and Mitch Richardson backline replacement.
Perhaps a reflection on the resources available to the two countries, Canada is travelling with 32 players for 2 matches, Chile is travelling with 25 players for 3 matches.
Kickoff is at 3am PT and currently there’s no information on a live stream.
from Rugby Canada
The match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s fixture against Chile on Saturday November 9 has been announced by Head Coach Kingsley Jones.
With kick-off set for 3:00am PT / 6:00am ET / 1:00pm local time at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, Romania, this will mark the first time these sides have met since 2021, and the first of two matches for Canada this November.
Pacific Pride Development Academy player Noah Flesch, who debuted for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team in February at HSBC SVNS Vancouver, will earn his first cap as Canada’s starting inside centre, playing alongside brother Mason Flesch.
Experienced RFC LA flanker Matt Heaton returns to the pitch for Canada for the first time since 2021, while Pacific Pride graduate Kaden Duguid has earned his fourth straight international start, having played his first cap for Canada in August at the Pacific Nations Cup.
Mitch Richardson could enter the match to make his return after missing the Pacific Nations Cup due to injury, with forwards Jesse Mackail and Tyler Matchem also looking to make an impact off the bench for what would be their second caps for Canada.
“We arrived in Romania last week, and the team got stuck in immediately, continuing on the work that started earlier this year in Ottawa and throughout the Pacific Nations Cup,” said Kingsley Jones. “We are facing two good opponents here in Romania, starting with Chile, and this will be a valuable test and challenge for our team.”
Viewing information will be announced shortly.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs CHILE
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, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
4. Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / NOLA Gold
5. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
6. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, USA) – New England Free Jacks
7. Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, QC) – RFC LA
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds
10. Peter Nelson Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens / New England Free Jacks
12. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Pacific Pride
13. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
14. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA / Markham Irish RFC
15. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors
FINISHERS
16. Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZL) – UBCOB Ravens / Pacific Pride
17. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Earl Marriott Secondary / Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Old Glory DC
18. Tyler Matchem (Pictou County, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC
19. Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – NOLA Gold
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC
22. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
23. Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM SCHEDULE
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Chile
November 9, 2024
3:00am PT / 6:00am ET / 1:00pm local time
Bucharest, Romania
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Romania
November 16, 2024
8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 6:00pm local time
Bucharest, Romania
Chile Touring 25
