Canada takes first leg of u20 Qualifier over USA

An explosive opening quarter steered Canada to a 44-33 victory over the USA in the first leg of the North American qualifier for the World Rugby u20 Trophy on Tuesday. The victory leaves the Junior All-Americans with an 11-point deficit to make up heading into Saturday’s rematch.

Toronto Arrows star Avery Oitomen was the first man on the score sheet, using his footwork to cut through the US defense. Will Percillier landed a penalty goal and then quick hands from Quinn Ngawati and Oitomen put David Richard in the clear on the right side.

Just moments later Canada were in again, this time Percillier getting the touchdown. Frank Carson scooped up a loose ball and put Richard into space. The winger gained ground before offloading off the deck to his trailing scrumhalf for a 20-0 lead after only 21 minutes.

The All-Americans finally got on the board through a driving maul with hooker Jack Manzo peeling off the back to score. Percillier responded with a scintillating individual effort from beyond halfway directly from the restart. A much-needed try for the USA just before halftime came from Ethan McVeigh, who took advantage of a scrum penalty to sneak over from close range.

It was the visitors who came flying out after the break. Sam Walsh ran a smart line off the breakdown to step inside the defense for a try. The comeback was complete when McVeigh probed the fringes and then Mike Weir sliced through after selling a dummy. He converted his own try to make the score 28-25 to the USA with 47 minutes played.

Canada got back on the front foot through their dominant scrum which eventually set the platform for two tries from Quinn Ngawati. The first saw the big center running straight through three defenders as first receiver from a lineout. The second started on his own 22-meter line, fending off the first tackler and showing a turn of pace to beat the cover.

The lead would built when Brock Webster poked a grubber in behind the defensive line, the ball bouncing up perfectly for Gabriel Casey to touch down. USA captain Bailey Wilson clawed back five points with a charging run through three Canadian defenders.

Manzo looked to be in for all money in the last minute but a desperation tackle from Thomas Isherwood saved the day, with Tyler Duguid getting back to win the counter-ruck and give possession back to Canada. Percillier sent the ball into touch to end the game.

 

SCORING

CANADA 44
Tries – A. Oitomen (9’), D. Richard (19’), W. Percillier 2 (21’, 30’), Q. Ngawati 2 (61’, 66’), G. Casey (69’)
Cons – W. Percillier 2/6 (20’, 62’), Q. Ngawati 1/1 (70’)
Pens – W. Percillier 1/1 (13’)

USA 33
Tries – J. Manzo (27’), E. McVeigh (38’), S. Walsh (42’), M. Weir (46’), B. Wilson (77’)
Cons – M. Weir 4/5 (28’, 39’, 43’, 47’), S. Walsh 0/1
Pens – M. Weir 0/1

 

TEAMS

CANADA u20
1 Stefan Zuliani, 2 Jared Augustin, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Frank Carson, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Quentin James, 7 Mason Flesch, 8 Nick Carson, 9 Will Percillier (capt.), 10 Brock Webster, 11 Jarvis Dashkewytch, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Gabriel Casey, 14 David Richard, 15 Avery Oitomen

Replacements: 16 David Carson, 17 Josh Tweed, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Will Matthews, 21 JT Boehme, 22 James Biss, 23 Thomas Isherwood, 24 Siaki Vikilani, 25 Antoine de la Fontaine, 26 Austin Pinnell

USA u20
1 Jack Wiles, 2 Jack Manzo, 3 Jared Miller, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Asa Carter, 6 Chase Jones, 7 Miles McCormick, 8 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 9 Ethan McVeigh, 10 Mike Weir, 11 Junior Waqavesi, 12 Lauina Falatea, 13 Jack Wendling, 14 Ryan James, 15 Sam Walsh

Replacements: 16 Braden Looper, 17 Doug Mitchell, 18 Alex Lopeti, 19 Matt Gelhaus, 20 Chris Noggle, 21 Jeff Peleseuma-Breiz, 22 Cole Semu, 23 Jasper Green, 24 Will Vakalahi, 25 Luke Freeman, 26 Royce Fisher

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Assmus (RC)
Assistants: Shanda Mosher-Gallant (RC) & Derek Horton (RC)