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Canada’s third match of the 1999 Pacific Rim Championship was again at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday, May 29. Following defeat to Japan and Fiji, next up was an historic first ever clash against Samoa. This was the second match for the Manu following their own narrow defeat against the Brave Blossoms in Osaka the week prior.
After a week’s rest there were five changes to Canada’s starting lineup from the Fiji test. Pat Dunkley was restored to the starting hooker spot with Mark Cardinal dropping to the bench, and Mike James arrived from France to take up a spot in the second row alongside Al Charron. Ryan Banks returned for his second test start at No8.
The most notable change saw the return of Gareth Rees from injury to captain the side. Halfback partner John Graf was winning his 50th cap, the first Canadian to reach the mark, while Scott Bryan and Scott Stewart bolstered the backline at the expense of Jeremy Cordle and Joe Pagano.
Samoa were still working through their extended player pool to narrow down World Cup selections. World-renowned tackler Trevor Leota was the spearhead of the front row while current Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam was the talisman and captain at the back of the scrum.
Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Bachop was in his second stint with the Manu and there were two making their international debuts. Tanner Vili was taking his first steps at fullback in a test career that would take him to two World Cups. Taranaki standout Fa’apulou So’olefai’s first cap came as a first half replacement on the wing.
CANADA
1 Rod Snow, 2 Pat Dunkley, 3 Richard Bice, 4 Al Charron, 5 Mike James, 6 John Hutchinson, 7 Danny Baugh, 8 Ryan Banks, 9 John Graf, 10 Gareth Rees (capt.), 11 Courtney Smith, 12 Scott Bryan, 13 Kyle Nichols, 14 Winston Stanley, 15 Scott Stewart
Replacements: 16 Julian Loveday, 17 Bob Ross, 18 Jeremy Cordle, 19 Mark Cardinal, 20 Mike Schmid, 21 John Tait, 22 Jon Thiel
SAMOA
1 Kepi Faiva’ai, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Fosi Pala’amo, 4 Stephen Smith, 5 Lama Tone, 6 Sene Ta’ala, 7 Craig Glendinning, 8 Pat Lam (capt.), 9 Joe Filemu, 10 Stephen Bachop, 11 To’o Vaega, 12 Mepi Faoagali, 13 George Leaupepe, 14 Filipo Toala, 15 Tanner Vili
Replacements: 16 Fa’apulou So’olefai, 18 Semo Sititi, 20 Malua Tipi
Referee: Shinichi Iwashita (Japan)
Assistants: Bruce Kuklinski (Canada) & David Wickham (Canada)
Attendance: 6,500
