August 30, 2019 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Local rugby fans got a taste of international rugby Saturday evening at Westhills Stadium as the Canadian Mens’ IV squad strolled to a comfortable 45 -13 win over the BC Allstar selects, completing their second to last warm-up match before taking on the world in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Canada will now take on USA Rugby at BC Place on Sept 7th in their final warm-up game before the 2019 World Cup, set to begin September 20th in Japan. Canada is ranked 21st in the world and will take on Italy, ranked 13th, in their first match on September 26th.
Canada’s highest finish was in 1991, when they finished the tournament, falling in the quarter finals 29-13 to New Zealand.
BC held their own through the first half of play ( 13-17), but would be unable to sustain the pressure on the Canadian side as the national team would respond the second half, putting up twenty eight points to nil to run away with the victory.
In the win, Head coach Kingsley Jones would compliment the BC side, ” BC did everything you would expect. They put up a meaning full game. Always tough in those game for forty, fifty minutes. I thought our composure in the second half was excellent. I give the boys credit, especially those coming off the bench in the second ( half ). It made the selection for our coaches difficult.
Canada’s Justin Blanchet was named the Man of the Match. Shane O’Leary would top the scoring with six converts and a penalty kick for his Canadian side.
