Canada Comeback Falls Short: Portugal 28 – Canada 26
Portugal came out quickly and put up 12 points in the first 6 minutes, it was 15-7 at the half. The 2nd half again saw Portugal score quickly and it was 28-14 with 5 minutes left. Canada had a strong surge at the end of the match led by UBC #8 Liam Kinghorn but they came up just short of tying the match. Canada place 3rd in their pool and will play Brazil on October 17th in their placement match for 5th/6th in the eight team tournament.
1st half
Portugal scored first, 2 minutes in, when their second row split Canadian tacklers and eventually the hooker touched it down, 7-0. They scored again at 6 minutes as the #13 sliced through the Canadian defence and set up some phase play inside the 5 metres, eventually the ball got out wide and they scored a second try, 12-0. At 20′ they went ahead 15-0 with a penalty kick. Canada scored at the half time whistle with a line break by #4 Ronin Smith and offload to #8 Liam Kinghorn, UVic to UBC, 15 to 7 Portugal at the half.
2nd half
Canada couldn’t clear from their 22 to start the second half, picked up a penalty, and Portugal mauled the ball in, 20-7 with a minute gone in the second half. Canada hit back a couple minutes later, strong runs by Liam Kinghorn and Eliot Marschall setting up the try with Marschall crossing the line, 20-12 with 4 minutes gone in the second half. At 8 minutes the Canadian scrum half gets called for a tip tackle and a yellow card. At 10 minutes the #10 gets a clearing kick blocked, Portugal score a try, 25-14. At 20 minutes Portugal get a yellow for a dangerous tackle. With 5 minutes left Portugal kicks a penalty, 28-14.
Last 5 minutes
Canada come back in the last 5 minutes to score two tries and almost tied the match but missed the last conversion. The first try was by replacement hooker Porter Gook and the second try by #8 Liam Kinghorn. Kinghorn was Canada’s top player, scoring two tries and always being a dependable option to carry the ball forward and break the gain line. Final 28-26.
Scores
Romania 29 – Hong Kong 22
Chile 80 – Brazil 7
Portugal 28 – Canada 26
Belgium 47 – Namibia 22
Coach Esterhuizen Makes Seven Changes to Starting XV After Belgium Loss
Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has made seven changes to the starting XV after the loss to Belgium. Promoted from the bench are Josh Du Toit at hooker, Ronin Smith at lock, Jonty Nicholas as starting #10. Returning to the roster from the Namibia match are Carter Nickless at lock, Eliot Marschall at openside flanker, Rogan Moir at scrum-half, Malin Hazl on the wing. Moving to the bench are Porter Gook as reserve hooker and Seb Poyser as reserve second row. Leaving the matchday 23 are Noah Poyser (#5), JJ Kinnear (#7), Chris Rose (#9), Joe Kaufmann (#10), and Noah Hudson (#11).
The kickoff is 9am PT on Monday and will be streamed on rugbypass.tv. The result will determine if Canada competes for 3rd place or 5th place in their final match.
CANADA U20 vs PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 12, 2026
1 Jacob Blackwood
2 Josh Du Toit
3 Alistair Yeomans
4 Ronin Smith
5 Carter Nickless
6 Coen Quinn
7 Eliot Marschall
8 Liam Kinghorn
9 Rogan Moir
10 Jonty Nicholas
11 Malin Hazl
12 Adam Stander
13 (C) Liam Turnbull
14 Briar Barron
15 Cooper Allen
16 Porter Gook
17 Eric Rutledge
18 Seb Poyser
19 Ethan Samuels
20 Cole Thompson
21 Brek Ball
22 Koen Schroeder
23 Luke Prest