Action from Canada’s No. 8, Jake Thiel in their U20 World Rugby Trophy qualifier against the USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton.
© J. Ashley Nixon

It was not the result that the Canada U20 team wanted but it was enough to get a win on aggregate points in their double header against USA U20.  Team USA narrowly defeated Canada 27-25 on Saturday at Ellerslie Park, Edmonton. But with their 46-12 overhaul in the first game, the young Canadian team go on to the World Rugby Trophy in Uruguay in August. The winner of that eight-team competition qualifies for next year’s World Rugby U20 Championship, won, in 2017 by New Zealand after beating England 64-17.

Canada scored three tries in the first half of the game. The first came from prop, Cole Keith after 18 minutes. Full-back Aidan McMullan took possession of the ball as it was spun out to the right wing for the second try. The other prop, Dewald Kotze also got on the score sheet with a forward drive to the left of the posts. In the second half, Canada took the lineout ball 10 m out and former Calgary Canucks player, James O’Neill went over from the ruck.

Canadian full-back Aidan McMullan eludes a tackle to score Canada’s second try in their U20 World Cup Trophy qualifier against the USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton.
© J. Ashley Nixon

Tries for the USA came from Christain Dyer,  Peter Howard and two from second row forward, Daemon Torres, including the game stealer with just over a minute to go.

Final score: USA 27-25 Canada.

For more photos from the game, please visit J. Ashley Nixon Photography