Canada end u20 Trophy campaign on a high

Canada brought their World Rugby u20 Trophy campaign to a close with a dominant 52-13 victory over Kenya on Sunday afternoon in the first match of finals day in São José dos Campos. It leaves the Canadian record at 2 wins and 2 losses with a final placing of 5th overall.

Will Percillier led the way with 17 points bringing his individual total to 65, which may yet stand as the highest in the tournament. The captain scored the opening try on the end of a Thomas Isherwood line break from halfway. Antoine de la Fontaine went over in the corner soon after for a second score.

Kenya found some success with Dominic Coulson landing a penalty goal. They would then score a try through Hibrahim Ayoo, the second row loitering in the backline to dive in and bring the Chipu to within four points.

It would be nearly half an hour before Kenya would have another say on the scoreboard. Canada got a try from hooker Mike McCarthy on the end of the driving maul, with Percillier’s extras giving them a comfortable 19-8 lead at halftime.

McCarthy got his second in almost identical fashion to his first to start the second half scoring. Geoffrey Okwach replied, showing good balance to make the corner, but the final quarter was all Canada.

David Richard sparked a break-out with Nick Carson on hand to finish it off. Okwach was sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle in the build-up, and the overlap opened the door for Richard to race in for a try of his own. Carson bulldozed his way over from the back of the scrum for his double soon after, and Siaki Vikilani put a wrap on proceedings with a try in the right corner.

The players now return to their club sides with some of Canada’s best headed to the reborn Pacific Pride centralized program in Victoria. Many could make return to the u20 Trophy as 13 of Canada’s roster are eligible in 2020 and 16 for Kenya.

 

SCORING

KENYA 13
Tries – H. Ayoo (31′), G. Okwach (58′)
Cons – D. Coulson 0/2
Pens – D. Coulson 1/2 (22′)
Yellow cards – G. Okwach (64′)

CANADA 52
Tries – W. Percillier (9′), A. de la Fontaine (15′), M. McCarthy 2 (35′, 48′), N. Carson 2 (64′, 71′), D. Richard (67′), S. Vikilani (79′)
Cons – W. Percillier 6/8 (10′, 36′, 49′, 65′, 68′, 72′)

 

TEAMS

KENYA u20
1 Andrew Siminyu, 2 Bonface Ochieng (capt.), 3 Rotuk Rahedi, 4 Emanuel Silungi, 5 Hibrahim Ayoo, 6 Sheldon Kahi, 7 Brian Amaitsa, 8 George Kyriazi, 9 Barry Robinson, 10 Dominic Coulson, 11 Timothy Okwemba, 12 John Okoth, 13 Douglas Kahuri, 14 Geoffrey Okwach, 15 Andrew Matoka

Replacements: 16 Wilfred Waswa, 17 Ian Njenga, 18 Collins Obure, 19 Frank Aduda, 20 James McGreevy, 21 Samuel Asati, 22 Owain Ashley, 23 Jeff Mutuku

CANADA u20
1 Josh Tweed, 2 Mike McCarthy, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Frank Carson, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Quentin James, 7 Will Matthews, 8 Nick Carson, 9 Will Percillier (capt.), 10 Brock Webster, 11 Antoine de la Fontaine, 12 Lachlan Kratz, 13 Quinn Ngawati, 14 David Richard, 15 Thomas Isherwood

Replacements: 16 David Carson, 17 Stefan Zuliani, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Jack Carson, 21 Siaki Vikilani, 22 Mason Flesch, 23 Gabriel Casey, 24 Jarvis Dashkewytch, 25 Jared Augustin

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Assistants: Gonzalo Ventoso (URU) & Matías Esteban (URU)