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The date was Saturday, July 19, 1997. Canada were playing host to Wales at Fletcher’s Fields in Markham, just north of Toronto. A crowd of 7,000 were in attendance on a perfect sunny day with hopes of witnessing an upset win over the home nation.
Dr. Pat Parfrey’s men had similar ideas, in fact considering themselves favorites. This was the third test of the North American tour for the Welsh and they were unconvincing in their wins over the USA. Having selected an inexperienced side, Canada knew the opportunity was there for a victory.
Only five players in the Welsh run-on side had appeared in the Five Nations. The team recorded only a single victory in that tournament, against Scotland, and were in a state of rebuilding with Kevin Bowring at the helm. He would be replaced by Graham Henry the following year.
There were test debuts for Swansea duo Steve Moore and Rob Appleyard. At the other end of the spectrum this would be the final test matches for loosehead prop Ian Buckett and flanker Andrew Gibbs. Fullback Kevin Morgan was on his first international tour, going on to win 48 caps.
By contrast this was a virtually full strength Canadian side. They had already won five of six tests that year including four on the trot. This team would form the basis of their Rugby World Cup 1999 squad with Balmy Beach pair Scott Bryan and David Lougheed partnered in the centers. The latter signed for Leicester Tigers a year later.
Only two subs from each side would see the field as professionalism was still in its infancy. The tense battle saw the result hanging in the balance until the final whistle.
CANADA
1 Eddie Evans, 2 Kevin Morgan, 3 Rod Snow, 4 Mike James, 5 John Tait, 6 Al Charron, 7 John Hutchinson, 8 Mike Schmid, 9 John Graf, 10 Gareth Rees (capt.), 11 Scott Stewart, 12 Scott Bryan, 13 David Lougheed, 14 Winston Stanley, 15 Bob Ross
Replacements: 16 Rob Card, 17 Ron Toews, 18 Richard Bice, 19 Tony Healy, 20 Ian Gordon, 21 Mark Cardinal
WALES
1 Ian Buckett, 2 Garin Jenkins, 3 Lyndon Mustoe, 4 Steve Moore, 5 Mike Voyle, 6 Andrew Gibbs, 7 Rob Appleyard, 8 Steve Williams, 9 Paul John (capt.), 10 Arwel Thomas, 11 Nigel Walker, 12 Gareth Thomas, 13 Leigh Davies, 14 Wayne Proctor, 15 Kevin Morgan
Replacements: 16 Neil Boobyer, 17 Lee Jarvis, 18 Andrew Moore, 19 Nathan Thomas, 20 Chris Anthony, 21 Robin McBryde
Referee: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Attendance: 7,000
