Canada Mediocre in One Point Win Over Chile – Return Match in Chile Next Weekend: UPDATE Tyler Ardron Returns & Match Highlights
UPDATES: The Rugby Network reported that Tyler Ardron has flown back to Canada “The 30-year-old from Lakefield, Ontario posted on his Instagram story after his professional club Castres Olympique defeated RC Toulon 27-16 over the weekend at State Pierre-Fabre that he was flying back to Canada from France saying “Let’s get it @Rugby Canada”” Read the full story here
Canada 22 – Chile 21
We hope to add more to this story on Sunday but the basic summary is Canada were mediocre, at best. It was a difficult game to watch, the curtain raiser, Pacific Pride vs UVic was a step up in entertainment.
Canada just couldn’t get into the next gear, they kept grinding the gears as they constantly killed their attack with errors. Players flying into the Chilean defence, taking flat passes they couldn’t hold onto. The strategy the coaches mapped out for the team fell flat. Chile played a patient game, high kicks, smothering defence and waited for Canada to make the mistakes, which they did.
Canada now have to go into hostile territory to win the match, it’s nervous times for the men’s XVs right now. We’ll take a sample of reactions from social media and post tomorrow, for tonight, you can read the match reports from ARN and CBC.
*Canada Announce Match Day 23 to Face Chile on Saturday*
When Canadian Press ran the story they had Matt Tierney as starting tighthead, as he had been for the USA series. However it’s Tyler Rowland who will take the starting tighthead role and Tierney is not in the match day 23. Jake Ilnicki who was on the injured list for the USA series comes onto the bench as backup.
Other changes to the forward pack are Eric Howard replacing Andrew Quattrin as starting hooker and Kyle Baillie replacing Conor Keys in the starting second row. Quattrin and Keys move to the bench. There’s no change to the backline from the USA series.
Not much is known about the Chilean opposition, they defeated Brazil in the South American competition, 23-13, to reach the Americas RWC qualifiers. Both of their tries in that match came from the hooker, Bohme. They also kicked 3 penalties in that match, to one for Brazil. They held Uruguay to 15 points (2T) in a 15-10 loss, their try in that match by #10 Fernandez.
Chile have only suited up two backline subs, Canada have three. Chile would favour a tight, forward’s oriented, defensive match – low scoring. Canada will want to push an expansive game where they should have the advantage out wide.
Chile roster
by Canadian Press, Neil Davidson
Canada coach Kingsley Jones has made two changes to his forward pack for Saturdays first leg of a Rugby World Cup qualifying series against Chile.
Hooker Eric Howard and lock Kyle Baillie come in with Andrew Quattrin and Conor Keys dropping to the bench. Veteran prop Jake Ilnicki is added to the replacements at the expense of Tyler Rowland.
After Saturdays game at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., the teams head south for the Oct. 9 return leg in Valparaiso, Chile to complete the aggregate points tie.
The 21st-ranked Canadian men are coming off a 59-50 aggregate loss to the 16th-ranked U.S. Eagles that moved the Americans into a playoff with No. 17 Uruguay, with the winner qualifying for the World Cup as Americas 1 alongside No. 1 New Zealand, No. 6 France, No. 14 Italy and Africa 1 in Pool A.
A win over No. 28 Chile and Canada will face the loser of the U.S.-Uruguay series to decide Americas 2, which will qualify in Pool D alongside No. 4 England, No. 8 Argentina, No. 10 Japan and No. 13 Samoa. The loser of the Americas 2 playoff has one last chance to qualify for France 2023 via a repechage tournament.
A loss to Chile and Canada is done.
Jones said the changes for Saturday were in part to use his roster and keep everyone fresh.
I think Kyle (Baillie) brings a wealth of experience, he said. Conor Keys has done an exceptional job.
Were looking at two games. Saturday evening will be halftime, so we just need to make sure were keeping everyone fresh The group has been fantastic. They know that 30 of us will have a part to play, whether its starting or finishing.
The Canadians have never failed to qualify for the sports showcase but had to do it the hard way the last time out, winning a four-team repechage after losing series to the U.S. and Uruguay.
This time around, Canada led the U.S. 34-21 after the first leg Sept. 4 in St. Johns, N.L. But the Americans rallied with a 38-16 victory Sept. 11 in Glendale, Colo., as the Canadians paid for mistakes, squandered opportunities and were on the back foot most of the night as their set pieces faltered at Infinity Park Stadium.
Argentina qualified automatically from the Americas by virtue of its performance at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Uruguay became the top qualifying seed in South America by winning a three-team tournament that also included Chile and Brazil.
The Chileans moved into the Americas 2 playoff on the strength of their second-place finish at that competition.
Canada and Chile have met in recent years in the Americas Rugby Championship with the Canadians winning at hone 56-0 in 2019 and 36-15 in 2017. On the road, Canada won 33-17 in 2018 and 64-13 in 2016.
This is a real meaningful game obviously and I think well see a different Chile this time out than weve played before, said Jones.
Canada Roster
Djustice Sears-Duru, Oakville, Ont., unattached
Eric Howard, Ottawa, NOLA Gold (MLR)
Matt Tierney, Oakville, Ont., Castres Olympique (France)Tyler Rowland
Corey Thomas, Perth, Australia, Los Angeles Giltinis (MLR)
Kyle Baillie, Summerside, P.E.I., NOLA Gold (MLR)
Lucas Rumball (capt.), Markham, Ont., Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Matt Heaton, Godmanchester, Que., Rugby ATL (MLR)
Siaki Vikilani, Burnaby, B.C., Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Ross Braude, Pretoria, South Africa, Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Stade Aurillacois (France)
Kainoa Lloyd, Mississauga, Ont., James Bay AA
Spencer Jones, Cambridge, New Zealand. Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Ben LeSage, Calgary, Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Brock Webster, Uxbridge, Ont., Canada Sevens
Cooper Coats, Halifax, Canada Sevens.
Replacements
Andrew Quattrin, Holland Landing, Ont., Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Cole Keith, Apohaqui, N.B., Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Jake Ilnicki, Williams Lake, B.C., unattached
Conor Keys, Stittsvile, Ont., Rugby ATL (MLR)
Michael Smith, White Rock, B.C., San Diego Legion (MLR)
Jason Higgins, Cork, Ireland, Toronto Arrows (MLR)
Rob Povey, Long Buckly, England, Houston Sabercats (MLR)
Patrick Parfrey, St. Johns, N.L., Toronto Arrows (MLR).
*Kingsley Jones Names Unchanged Training Squad for Chile Series*
Kingsley Jones has gone with the same 30 player training squad that was used in the USA series. The match day 23 will be announced later in the week.
Canada will need a sizeable win in the home contest to feel comfortable going into the away contest the following week in more hostile environment.
from Rugby Canada
September 23, 2021 (Langford, BC) Head coach Kingsley Jones has named an unchanged 30-man training squad that will face off against Chile in their upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualification Pathway matches.
The winner of the Americas 2 Qualifier is determined by an aggregate score across two games the first on October 2 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC with the second being played on October 9 in Valparaiso, Chile. The winner will qualify for the Americas 2 Playoff and face the loser of the Americas 1 Playoff (being contested between USA and Uruguay) in July 2022. The loser of the Americas 2 Qualifier will be eliminated from the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification pathway.
Jones said, We have re-assembled the team and are again putting in great work in the lead-up to these crucial matches. We were obviously disappointed in the outcome of our previous match versus the USA, and I know the players are looking forward to running out at our home stadium and putting in another good shift on Canadian soil.
Canadas Mens Rugby Team has been training in Langford ahead of their upcoming qualification matches versus Chile.
Regarding the roster Jones added, We are fortunate to have continuity in the squad from round one. With all of the group being returning selections, I am very pleased with the options we have to set our lineup later this week.
The first match, powered by DHL Rugby, kicks off at 5pm local time (8pm ET) on October 2. Tickets, starting at only $25 are on-sale now and selling quickly. Main gates will open at 3:30pm PT, but tickets will also be good to gain early access to a curtain raiser fixture featuring the Rugby Canada Performance Academy (Pacific Pride) taking on UVIC. This match kicks off at 1:30pm PT tickets are required for early entry and fans can remain in the stadium between the matches. In accordance with British Columbia Provincial regulations for outside events, fans will be required to show proof of vaccination when entering Starlight Stadium.
As announced earlier today, the matches will also be shown live in Canada and around the world through Premier Sports. Canadian rugby fans can watch both Americas 2 Qualifier matches via special subscription for $14.95 USD.
The return match will be hosted in Valparaiso, Chile on October 9 with kick-off at 2pm ET/11am PT.
CANADAS MENS RUGBY TEAMS ROSTER:
Kyle Baillie – Summerside, PEI – Nola Gold
Ross Braude – Pretoria, SA – Toronto Arrows
Cooper Coats – Halifax, NS – Canada Rugby 7’s
Cole Davis – Calgary, AB – Austin Gilgronis
Foster DeWitt – Courtney, BC – Pacific Pride
Mason Flesch – Cobourg, ON – Toronto Arrows
Matt Heaton – Godmanchester, QC – Rugby ATL
Jason Higgins – Cork, Ire – Toronto Arrows
Eric Howard – Ottawa, ON – Nola Gold
Jake Ilnicki – Williams Lake, BC – Unattached
Spencer Jones – Cambridge, NZ – Toronto Arrows
Cole Keith – Apohaqui, NB – Toronto Arrows
Will Kelly – Ancaster, ON – Toronto Arrows
Conor Keys – Stittsvile, ON – Rugby ATL
Lachlan Kratz – Victoria, BC – Nola Gold
Ben Lesage – Calgary, AB – Toronto Arrows
Kainoa Lloyd – Mississauga, ONT – James Bay AA
Peter Nelson – Dungannon, UK – Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
Quinn Ngawati – Victoria, BC – Rugby United NY
Patrick Parfrey – St. John’s NFLD – Toronto Arrows/Swilers RFC
Rob Povey – Long Buckby, ENG – Houston Sabercats
Andrew Quattrin – Holland Landing – ON – Toronto Arrows
Tyler Rowland – Mississauga, ON – Toronto Arrows
Lucas Rumball – Markham, ON – Toronto Arrows
Djustice Sears-Duru – Oakville, ON – Seattle Seawolves
Michael Smith – White Rock, BC – San Diego Legion
Corey Thomas – Perth, Western AUS – LA Giltinis
Matt Tierney – Oakville, ON – Castres Olympique
Siaki Vikilani – Burnaby, BC – Toronto Arrows
Brock Webster – Uxbridge, ON – Canada Rugby 7’s