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The main event of the evening is one of the most anticipated clashes of the Americas Rugby Championship. One of the classic rugby rivalries is renewed as Canada host the USA at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. While not exactly a precursor for the approaching World Cup qualifiers given the number of overseas players absent, its relevance to the players cannot be overstated. Canada haven’t beaten a senior USA side since 2013. That includes ‘A’ matches in 2014 and 2016, and all four tests. For a team that had won 14 of 16 over the preceding decade, that is a wretched run of form.
This will be a first full-on test against the Eagles for Canadian coach Mark Anscombe, who didn’t join the side until after last year’s ARC, though he did preside over the ‘A’ team that lost to the USA Selects in the Americas Pacific Challenge. Anscombe has not pulled any punches with his selections, rewarding form rather than reputation.
Ray Barkwill plays his first match of 2017 and assumes the captaincy. Aside from leadership he will be tasked with throwing accurately in the lineout, something which has proved a challenge for both Benoît Pifféro and Eric Howard in the previous two matches. Barkwill will have fellow Ontario Blues veteran Rob Brouwer beside him with Djustice Sears-Duru tabbed to be used as a second-half impact substitute.
The youth brigade is rolled out in the second row with Canada’s youngest ever lock pairing in Conor Keys and Reegan O’Gorman, both just 20. Keys has impressed with his work rate in the first two games while O’Gorman has showed some nice touches off the bench. This will be his first test start. The flankers are almost as green at 21 years apiece. Ollie Nott will be asked to take another step up after a somewhat muted debut against Chile.
Phil Mack and Robbie Povey has been rewarded for their positive contribution off the bench with the starting halfback roles against the Eagles. The duo noticeably changed the tempo when they arrived in the game after a shaky first hour from Gordon McRorie and Gradyn Bowd. All concerned know what Mack will bring to the table but for Povey this is new territory. It represents a major chance to push his claim for a spot in the June test series.
Elsewhere the backs look solid, with wingers Taylor Paris and Dan Moor in top form and on paper a clear point of strength against their Eagles opposites. Getting them the ball will be a key task for Mack and Povey. Keeping it away from Mike Te’o will be another. The USA fullback is a tricky customer who is not afraid to take risks. If tactical kicking is a significant part of the game plan, accuracy must be circled, highlighted, and underlined.
The USA’s own halfback problems did not look so bad against Brazil. Regardless of the opposition, Shaun Davies and Will Magie both looked comfortable and made the right decisions. Davies moves the ball away quickly from the breakdown and Magie has an array of options with his footballing skills, also helped with the presence of JP Eloff at inside center. If there was a complaint about Magie it was his goal kicking, which is usually dependable but faltered in a big way in Texas. Expect to see a different kicking tee and perhaps some new boots in Burnaby.
Where Anscombe has opted for fresh faces up front, John Mitchell is wheeling out some heavyweights in the Eagles pack. Anthony Purpura and Chris Baumann are back in the front row with Peter Malcolm perhaps a surprise choice at hooker over James Hilterbrand. Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta are thus far the form second row pairing in the competition, and the back row needs their own paragraph.
By far the most intimidating unit on the team sheet are the Eagles loosies. It wouldn’t be outrageous to say that Todd Clever, Tony Lamborn, and Cam Dolan might be the starting threesome in the Qualifiers come June. Of course there are more than a few others waiting to make a claim, including the pair on the bench – John Quill and David Tameilau. In terms of experience and proven ability they are streets ahead of the Canadian trio, and it’s here the game looks likely to be won and lost.
That’s not to say the result is a fait accompli. It is to say that the Eagles should be considered favorites, even on Canadian soil. The gulf in mileage clocked between the two packs is significant, with Mack the Knife and his wingers the most potent strings in Canada’s bow. Will the Eagles soar above their northern friends or can the fearlessness of youth conquer the southern invaders? As the saying goes – cometh the hour, cometh the man.
CANADA
1 Rob Brouwer, 2 Ray Barkwill (capt.), 3 Matt Tierney, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 6 Lucas Rumball, 7 Ollie Nott, 8 Admir Cejvanovic, 9 Phil Mack, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Taylor Paris, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Nick Blevins, 14 Dan Moor, 15 Brock Staller
Replacements: 16 Benoît Pifféro, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Liam Chisholm, 20 Lucas Albornoz, 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Gradyn Bowd, 23 George Barton
USA
1 Anthony Purpura, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Todd Clever (capt.), 7 Tony Lamborn, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Shaun Davies, 10 Will Magie, 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 JP Eloff, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Ryan Matyas, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Dino Waldren, 18 Ben Tarr, 19 Siaosi Mahoni, 20 John Quill, 21 David Tameilau, 22 Ben Cima, 23 Spike Davis
Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Swangard Stadium, Burnaby
Kickoff: 17:00 local (20:00 Eastern, 22:00 Brasilia)
Referee: Damián Schneider (UAR)
Assistants: David Smortchevsky (RC) & David Crisp (RC)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Channel, TSN GO
Replay: Feb 19, 13:00 EST, TSN 2
