Apologies for the video's poor audio...
Canada defeated the U.S.A. Eagles 13-11 at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday complete a sweep of the two-game qualifying series and earn a spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
The game started with the U.S.A. behind by 18 points in the aggregate, as Canada had won the first match of the two-game set, 27-9 in Charleston, S.C. last week.
“It was a bit of a tough road but we managed to pull it off in the end,” said Canadian outside centre Ciaran Hearn. The longtime Castaway Wanderers player was named Man of the Match.
After spending the majority of the first half on defence, James Pritchard led the Canadian scoring rush as the game shifted into the second part of the first half.
Pritchard, Canada's all-time leading scorer, cut the American’s lead to two with a try zone after taking the feed from Harry Jones and Hearn off the lineout.
Prop Jason Marshall also broke over into the try zone for Canada, making the score 13-8. Kicker Chris Wyles hit a penalty goal near the end of the match but Canada held the scoreline for the remainder of the game.
Canada finishes their busy 2013 Summer with a 5-2 record with victories against USA (x3), Fiji and Tonga, with losses against Ireland and Japan. Canada will slot into Pool D for the 2015 RWC, against France, Ireland, Italy and a yet-to-be-determined opponent from Europe.
Canada also retained the CANAM Cup, which is contested between the two countries.
“It’s been a long summer, with the World Cup qualifiers and the Pacific Nations cup, then Ireland, go away for a month and then coming back with a week to put it all together," Pritchard said. "There are guys who have picked up contracts over in Europe, and it will be great for them to get some experience.”
With the loss, U.S.A. and Uruguay will duel in April 2014 in another two-game qualifier for a spot at the 2015 RWC.
Canada 13Tries: Pritchard, MarshallConversion:Penalty goals: Pritchard
United States 11Tries: NgwenyaConversion:Penalty goals: Wyles 2
Canada’s Roster for Rugby World Cup Qualifier in Toronto, ON - (Club, CRC Team) Hometown1- Andrew Tiedemann, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB2- Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON3- Jason Marshall, (Atlantique Stade Rochelais/BC Bears) Vancouver4- Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish/Castaway Wanderers) Fredericton, NB5- Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish) Vancouver6- Tyler Ardron, (Ospreys/Ontario Blues/James Bay AA) Lakefield, ON7- John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON8- Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates/James Bay AA) Brantford, ON9- Phil Mack, (Uvic Vikes, BC Bears) Victoria10- Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver11- DTH Van Der Merwe, (Glasgow Warriors/James Bay AA) Regina, SK12- Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary13- Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL14- Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, B.C.15- James Pritchard, (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia 16- Tom Dolezel, (London St. George’s/Ontario Blues) London, ON17- Doug Wooldridge, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON18- Aaron Flagg, (Abbotsford RFC/ BC Bears) Abbotsford19- Jon Phelan, (Lille Metropole Rugby/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, Que20- Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK21- Sean White, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria22- Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond23- Phil Mackenzie, (Sale Sharks) Oakville, ON
Non-Dressers:Sean Duke, (Uvic Vikes/BC Bears) VancouverLiam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) TorontoJamie Cudmore, (ASM Clermont Auvergne) Squamish (injured)Ryan Hamilton, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver (injured)