Canada Defeat Zimbabwe 23-19: Peter Nelson Scores 13 from the Boot
It was a game that saw both teams score off opposition mistakes, Zimbabwe outscored Canada three tries to two but Peter Nelson’s boot was the difference for Canada. He was selected as player of the match. It was the first win under Meehan without Tyler Ardron in the roster but it was far from convincing. Canada led at the half 16-0 with three penalty kicks and a converted try. The try came at the half time whistle, Zimbabwe overthrew their lineout and Noah Flesch whipped the loose ball out to Cooper Coats on the outside who booted it down field. The Canadian chase caught up with the Zimbabwe defender and Canada won a penalty, a quick tap and chip kick by Nelson out to Mason Flesch on the wing saw the big man score the first try. The other Canadian try came at the 58′ mark when a Zimbabwe pass inside their 22 went to ground, Izzak Kelly picked it up and drove to the line, next phase saw Cali Martinez dive over. It was 23-7 for Canada with 20 minutes left and it appeared that Canada would finally impose themselves and drive the score up. That didn’t happen, Rumball went off with a HIA, subs came on and Zimbabwe scored two tries to make it a nail biting finish.
Outside of Nelson’s boot there wasn’t a lot to celebrate in the performance except the final score. The lineout misfired again and that lack of confidence likely led to the decisions to go for the posts instead of a 5 metre lineout. The scrum held firm but started to creak when Martinez was subbed off. Izzak Kelly probably had one of his better games, getting a line break off a Jacob Ince pass, but knocked it on before the line. Ince had a few nice touches of the ball and Noah Flesch showed up when it mattered, he’s probably a better centre than a wing though. It’s a shame that Foster Dewitt and Lockie Kratz didn’t get a chance to get on the field. Quattrin looked gassed by the end and fresh legs might have helped. Zimbabwe used their full bench.
Canada end the summer Nations Cup with a 1-1-1 record. Zimbabwe are 0-3. Hong Kong pulled off a massive upset over Uruguay and will likely move ahead of Canada in the rankings when numbers are released on Monday.
Canada’s next action will be in September in Japan, they play Japan September 4th, Fiji September 11th and likely USA on September 19th.
Meehan Names Match 23 to Host Zimbabwe in Winnipeg: Coats and Rumball Return to Roster
It’s Canada’s last chance for a win this summer, it’s Canada’s first match in the Nations Cup against a lower ranked opponent, Canada are ranked 23rd and Zimbabwe are 25th. The good news, Lucas Rumball and Cooper Coats are back, the bad news Tyler Ardron isn’t, also added to the injured list are Takoda McMullin and Pier Von Dadelszen.
The front row remains the same from the previous two matches, Martinez, Quattrin and Keith. With the injury to Von Dadelszen, Olmstead starts second row along with Izzak Kelly. Rumball moves to #8, Sion Parry to openside and Mason Flesch remains blindside flanker. Jason Higgins remains starting scrum half but Stephen Webb replaces Brock Gallagher as backup. Cooper Coats returns at #10 after missing the Portugal match, Lockie Kratz is in the reserves to cover any of the backline positions, including #10. Jacob Ince starts at inside centre, Josh McIndoe is dropped from the match day 23. Spencer Jones remains outside centre, Tremblay and Noah Flesch remain the wings and Peter Nelson is at fullback. Liam James is replacement on the outside, and like Kratz can cover many backline positions. In the reserves Foster Dewitt replaces Dewald Kotze as backup hooker.
Overall, with the return of Coats and Rumball, a stronger starting roster than fielded against Portugal. It’s Meehan’s best chance of a first win without Ardron in the lineup. It’s good to see Dewitt, Kratz and Webb get a shot at some game time this summer series. Unfortunately Bryce Worden and Reegan O’Gorman won’t see game time on this tour, Henry Kirwan and Barnaby Waddell also miss out. We haven’t seen enough of young Daragh Doyle to know if he’s ready for this level but veteran Reegan O’Gorman would have been a strong contender for reserve second row.
The match kicks off 5pm PT, 7pm local time in Winnipeg. It’s broadcast on TSN and likely rugbypass.tv for those out of country.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team has arrived in Winnipeg after opening the Nations Cup with a draw against Spain and a defeat to Portugal in Edmonton. Canada will close out the July test window this Saturday against Zimbabwe at Princess Auto Stadium.
Canadian rugby fans can catch the match live on TSN2 and TSN+, with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named his squad for the third round of the Nations Cup, making four changes to the starting XV while adding Foster DeWitt, Stephen Webb and Lockie Kratz to the bench.
“We took some important lessons from last weekend’s performance, both as coaches and players, said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. With this group spending long periods apart, every time we come together is an opportunity to build understanding and sharpen our game, and we know we can’t take anything for granted as we continue preparing for next year’s Rugby World Cup. We’ve focused this week on addressing key areas that need improvement, and with a quick turnaround, we’re eager to show that progress against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe are an athletic side with dangerous attacking threats, and they’ve shown throughout this tournament that they can capitalize on mistakes and build momentum quickly. We’ll need to be disciplined in every aspect of our game and deliver an accurate performance to meet the challenge they present.”
Evan Olmstead shifts to lock, while Lucas Rumball returns to the side at number eight. Siôn Parry shifts back to openside flanker, and Cooper Coats reclaims the flyhalf position. After making his debut last week, Jacob Ince will earn his first start for Canada at inside centre, while scrum-half Jason Higgins is set to earn his 30th cap for Canada.
Piers Von Dadelszen and Takoda McMullin are unavailable for selection due to injury.
Saturday’s match will also mark a special occasion for Winnipeg native Kyle Steeves, who has been named to the squad and will take the field in front of hundreds of friends and family in his hometown.
Tickets for the game between Canada and Zimbabwe on Saturday July 18 are available for purchase here.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS ZIMBABWE
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC (14 caps)
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / US Carcassonne (31 caps)
3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / Doncaster Knights (46 caps)
4. Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen (36 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (15 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (22 caps)
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (18 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (66 caps)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (29 caps)
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (22 caps)
11. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Peñarol Rugby (13 caps)
12. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (1 cap)
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (16 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (6 caps)
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (37 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Foster DeWitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (6 caps)
17. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (6 caps)
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (7 caps)
19. Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (1 cap)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (1 cap)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (2 caps)
22. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (2 caps)
23. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (1 cap)
Surely Canada has the depth to overcome one player being unavailable?
Travesty and Foster and Lockie didn’t get on
This match should have been won more convincingly. Unfortunately, the team isn’t used to playing under pressure at an international level, and the number of matches is insufficient. There are some very interesting young players, but you grow by playing against strong opponents abroad. Why didn’t the Pacific Pride project include international matches, apart from Seattle? For example, Spain has asked to participate with its team in the Currie Cup in South Africa, as Georgia has already done. In the golden age of Canadian rugby, it was a different kind of rugby, but in any case, between the 1980s and 1990s, it was said that the Canz series was the reason for the team’s growth. Is it possible to halt this decline of the Canadian Men’s national team?
BC Premier limits import players to play in the league becase they are worried that the Canadian players CANNOT compete, is that not crazy? Canadian players should play against imports to get better.
We are to busy farting around with re-jigs of our BC premier league, to pull off anything as big brained as your idea. I like your idea, Rugby Canada has lacked the leadership to do anything really meaningful in the last 20 years though.