Full Match – Canada vs Uruguay 1996

The opening match of the 1996 Pan American Championship saw hosts Canada taking on Uruguay in Ottawa. It was the 8th test of the year for Canada, who entered with a 6-2 record post-RWC 1995, and just the second test for Uruguay having lost to Argentina in Montevideo three months earlier.

A new-look Canadian side was named under Dr. Pat Parfrey, his first match as Head Coach after succeeding Ian Birtwell. Only four players from the World Cup were included with just 102 caps of experience spread between the starting XV and six debutantes.

Front rowers Scott Hendry and Brian Mosychuk, No8 Mike Schmid, and backs Kyle Nichols, Scott Bryan, and Joe Haley would all win their first caps. Jason Penaluna earned his first international appearance from the bench. Rules at the time dictated that only injured players could be replaced.

Newfoundland prop Dave Penney was the only capped player among the reserves but only Penaluna would see the field. Future captain Pat Dunkley made his first appearance in a match day squad but would not earn his first cap for another two years.

Los Teros meanwhile had more than twice as many caps worth of experience with legendary captain Diego Ormaechea the oldest man on the pitch at 37. Future professional and current Chile coach Pablo Lemoine was just 21 years old and winning his 5th cap at tighthead prop.

Replacement prop Rodrigo Sánchez, who would go on to become Uruguay’s most-capped player for a time, was still awaiting his test debut as the only uncapped player on the roster. Sánchez was one of 14 who would go on to represent his country in their historic first ever World Cup appearance in 1999.

CANADA
1 Kevin Wirachowski, 2 Scott Hendry, 3 Brian Mosychuk, 4 Tony Healy, 5 Marius Felix, 6 Al Charron (capt.), 7 John Hutchinson, 8 Mike Schmid, 9 Rob Card, 10 Bob Ross, 11 Kyle Nichols, 12 Scott Bryan, 13 Scott Stewart, 14 Courtney Smith, 15 Joe Haley

Replacements: 16 Chris Myers, 17 Jason Penaluna, 18 Mark O’Regan, 19 Brian McCarthy, 20 Dave Penney, 21 Pat Dunkley

URUGUAY
1 Marcelo Calandra, 2 Alejo Suarez, 3 Pablo Lemoine, 4 Pablo Acerenza, 5 Mario Lamé, 6 Martín Panizza, 7 Antonio Dabo, 8 Diego Ormaechea (capt.), 9 Federico Sciarra, 10 Martín Mendaro, 11 Pablo Costábile, 12 Fernando Paullier, 13 Alvaro Luongo, 14 Martín Ferrés, 15 Diego Aguirre

Replacements: 16 Juan Machado, 17 Rodrigo Sánchez, 18 Juan Carlos Bado, 19 Agustín Ponce de León, 20 Santiago Silva, 21 Pedro Vecino

Date: Saturday, September 14, 1996
Venue: Twin Elm Park, Ottawa
Referee: Santiago Borsoni (Argentina)