July 16, 2019 Mill Bay, BC (ISN) – Rugby Canada’s U18 men fell 46-43 to a resilient USA side in game three of their Can-Am series Sunday evening at Brentwood College, in Mill Bay, BC to conclude the Canadian July Summer Series.
The opening two exhibition matches of the Can-Am series served as an opportunity for both sides to ID talent, development, and play their full line ups ahead of their Sunday, full international match.
After dropping their first two games to the USA by similar scores of 24-7 and 27-7 in a pair of games that would prove a tough test for Canada, the Maple Leafs would look to make the best of the final match, where a victory held greater weight in world standings, this game labeled as a full-on international match up.
Canada would prove hard to handle for the USA through the first fifty minutes of play, taking a 26-19 lead into half time. Canada would continue the pressure in the early second frame, showing their dominance in the scrum and strong tackling to secure the upper hand in the match with greater ball possession through the early and mid-game.
Canada would lead by as much as sixteen points in a 40-24 score with twenty minutes left in the game before the USA would pull the carpet out from under Canada’s legs. The USA would stymy the red and white, over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the home side 22-3 in the remaining minutes to post the 46-43 victory and claim the sweep in the series.
Recently retired Canadian international XV’s player, now assistant coach with the team, would comment earlier about the series and what it means for the players and the future for Rugby Canada. “This series has been a great opportunity for development and has challenged young players in a highly competitive tournament,” said Barkwill. “It’s really important especially as we look to keep building our pathway into the U20 and senior teams.”
