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Canada defeated the USA 23-5 in the second leg of their North American qualifier on Saturday evening. In doing so they have earned their spot at the World Rugby u20 Trophy tournament in Brazil next month, taking the series on aggregate score of 67-38 following their first leg victory on Tuesday.
It was all Canada in the first half, with the opening score just four minutes after kickoff. Brock Webster stepped through a gap near halfway, stepped the first cover tackler and then offloaded to Gabriel Casey in support to fend his way over the line. Will Percillier’s conversion made it a seven-pointer.
The second try came from a driving maul. Jared Augustin hit Will Matthews with a long throw to the back, and the All-American forwards were out-manned as Stefan Zuliani slipped off and crashed over the line. Percillier made no mistake with the extras, and added a penalty goal to make it 17-0 at the break.
Two more Percillier kicks early in the second half effectively ended any hope of a comeback for the visitors. Canada’s scrum was again dominant with Tyler Rowland using his bulk to considerable affect, earning both field position and points directly from the set piece.
A try would eventually come for the USA as the game slipped into the final quarter. Replacement prop Alex Lopeti was a frequent carrier after coming on late in the first half and his hard work was rewarded as he bashed through two would-be tacklers for the touchdown. Mike Weir couldn’t land the conversion and the match would close with no further scoring.
It’s the first time since 2015 that Canada has claimed both legs of the qualifier series. They will now prepare for the Trophy tournament that begins on July 9. Canada has been placed in Pool B along with Japan, Kenya, and Uruguay.
SCORING
CANADA 23
Tries – G. Casey (4’), S. Zuliani (15’)
Cons – W. Percillier 2/2 (5’, 16’)
Pens – W. Percillier 3/4 (28’, 46’, 50’)
Yellow cards – B. Webster (59’)
USA 5
Tries – A. Lopeti (62’)
Cons – M. Weir 0/1
Yellow cards – C. Jones (17’), A. Carter (69’)
TEAMS
CANADA u20
1 Stefan Zuliani, 2 Jared Augustin, 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 Jarvis Dashkewytch, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Gabriel Casey, 14 David Richard, 15 Thomas Isherwood
Replacements: 16 Mike McCarthy, 17 Josh Tweed, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Siaki Vikilani, 21 Jack Carson, 22 James Biss, 23 Antoine de la Fontaine, 24 David Carson, 25 Brandon Hebert, 26 Austin Pinnell
USA u20
1 Jack Wiles, 2 Jack Manzo, 3 Jared Miller, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Asa Carter, 6 Chase Jones, 7 Miles McCormick, 8 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 9 Ethan McVeigh, 10 Mike Weir, 11 Jasper Green, 12 Lauina Falatea, 13 Jack Wendling, 14 Ryan James, 15 Sam Walsh
Replacements: 16 Braden Looper, 17 Doug Mitchell, 18 Alex Lopeti, 19 Matt Gelhaus, 20 Chris Noggle, 21 Jeff Peleseuma-Breiz, 22 Junior Waqavesi, 23 Cole Semu, 24 Will Vakalahi, 25 Luke Freeman, 26 Jake Christmann
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (RC)
Assistants: Shanda Mosher-Gallant (RC) & Brad Schwalger (RC)
