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It’s all to play for in Valparaíso on Saturday afternoon as Chile host Canada in the second match of their World Cup Qualifier series. The stakes are clear – the winner advances with two more opportunities to book their place in France, while the loser is resigned to missing out on World Rugby’s flagship tournament and its accompanying financial rewards.
For Canada the latter is an inconceivable path. They have never failed to qualify for a World Cup and such a result would secure the country’s lowest point of rugby achievement. After a disappointing UK tour, an unsatisfying Olympic Games, and lingering off-field controversy, it’s fair to say that a positive result is badly needed for Canadian confidence.
Chile, having never been to a World Cup, can only take positives from whatever the outcome is. They have already achieved new heights and if they fall short on Saturday will have a strong foundation to build on towards the next qualification cycle. That said, they will be desperate to claim the immediate opportunity at hand. A place in the Repechage would be a fine reward for the clear advancements in their game over the past four years.
As it happens neither team will take any significant advantage from the first leg. The Canadians can count their lucky stars for a last-gasp penalty kick that staved off what looked certain to be an historic win for Los Cóndores. Poor execution and an inability to adapt were the chief culprits and ‘accuracy’ will have been the mantra during this week’s training.
There was good news and bad on the personnel front this week. The good was the arrival of World Cup captain Tyler Ardron from France. He provides an immediate boost in almost every capacity, particularly the lineout. The bad was the loss of Matt Heaton and Cooper Coats. Ardron is a straight swap on the flank for Heaton while Patrick Parfrey gets the call at fullback.
The starting lineup is otherwise unchanged but there are two more alterations on the bench. Matt Tierney is recalled as backup tighthead prop in place of Jake Ilnicki, and Quinn Ngawati takes up the vacancy on the bench as a center or wing option. Robbie Povey again settles for a reserve role after adding impetus in the second half last weekend.
It’s a similar approach from Los Cóndores, who make only one change to the run-on side. Javier Carrasco swaps in for Vittorio Lastra at loosehead prop, the former making it 14 of the 15 starters having played for Selknam during the 2021 Súper Liga campaign. Scrumhalf Marcelo Torrealba from Major League Rugby’s Austin Gilgronis is the only exception.
Among the replacements it’s a return to a conventional 5-3 split between forwards and backs. Uncapped lock Santiago Pedrero drops out of the match day squad, with 41-cap veteran and former captain José Ignacio Larenas recalled to provide cover at outside center or wing.
Conditions at the Estadio Elías Figueroa are expected to be near ideal with temperatures slightly warmer than in Langford to go with sunny skies and only a light coastal breeze. The Chileans were the first to arrive home this week and return to a familiar time zone, with the mid-afternoon kickoff translating to late-morning on Pacific clocks.
Canada found success out wide either from phased play or on the counter attack. The Cóndores ironically also did well there though they chose that option far less frequently, opting instead to kick and chase and force errors with their hard-hitting defense. Both teams were a mixed bag at the lineout though the Canadians did surprisingly well at the scrum.
Historically Canada have been comfortable travelers to Chile though this will be their first trip to Valparaíso. The presence of Ardron should provide a lift in confidence, just enough to keep the favorites tag for the visitors on the premise that they do a better job of holding onto possession. They are undoubtedly under immense pressure however, which tips the scales closer to even.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific. A live broadcast will be available to viewers in Canada on Premier Sports, while supporters of the visitors can access the game on Chilevisión.
CHILE
1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Augusto Böhme, 3 Matías Dittus, 4 Clemente Saavedra, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Martín Sigren (capt.), 7 Raimundo Martínez, 8 Alfonso Escobar, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Rodrigo Fernández, 11 Franco Velarde, 12 Matías Garafulic, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Nicolás Garafulic, 15 Santiago Videla
Replacements: 16 Tomás Dussaillant, 17 Vittorio Lastra, 18 Salvador Lues, 19 Augusto Sarmiento, 20 Thomas Orchard, 21 Iñaki Ayarza, 22 José Ignacio Larenas, 23 Nicolás Herreros
CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Corey Thomas, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Siaki Vikilani, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Kainoa Lloyd, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Brock Webster, 15 Patrick Parfrey
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Cole Keith, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Michael Smith, 21 Robbie Povey, 22 Jason Higgins, 23 Quinn Ngawati
Date: Saturday, October 9
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa, Valparaíso
Kickoff: 15:00 local (11:00 Pacific, 14:00 Eastern)
Referee: Nehuén Jauri Rivero (Argentina)
Assistants: Francisco González (Uruguay) & Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina)
TMO: Gabriel Pinter (Argentina)
Broadcasts: Premier Sports (Canada), Chilevisión (Chile)
RECENT RESULTS
2021-10-02 – Canada 22, Chile 21 (Starlight Stadium, Langford)
2019-02-02 – Canada 56, Chile 0 (Westhills Stadium, Langford)
2018-03-03 – Chile 17, Canada 33 (Estadio de La Pintana, Santiago)
2017-02-11 – Canada 36, Chile 15 (Westhills Stadium, Langford)
2016-03-06 – Chile 13, Canada 64 (Estadio de La Pintana, Santiago)
