February 2, 2017
Canada v Argentina XV: Americas Rugby Championship 2017
Doug Coil
The Americas Rugby Championship will feature matches between Argentina XV, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Uruguay and the United States. These matches will begin on Friday, February 3 and end on March 4.
This weekend’s matches will feature Brazil hosting Chile in the opening ARC 2017 match at Pacaembu Stadium in Sáo Paulo, Brazil. The match will kick off at 8:15pm local time (5:15pm ET) and be broadcast on ESPN Brazil. The match will also be steamed on ESPN3 (http://www.watchespn.com).
On Saturday, February 4, the USA Men’s Eagles will play Uruguay at 3pm CT (4pm ET) at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. The match is being broadcast on The Rugby Channel (http://www.therugbychannel.tv).
The other match on Saturday has Canada hosting last year’s champions, Argentina XV, at Westhills Stadium, Langford, Canada. The match will be broadcast on TSN Sports in Canada and streamed on ESPN3 elsewhere (http://www.watchespn.com).
Canada v Argentina XV
Senior Men’s head coach Mark Anscombe has named his starting XV for Saturday’s 2017 Americas Rugby Championship opener against Argentina XV. Kickoff is 8pm ET/5pm PT and can be seen LIVE on TSN GO.
Gordon McRorie will captain this experienced team with 12 players having previous test cap experience. Saturday’s game is not a sanctioned test match.
In Rugby Canada’s Release Mark Anscombe said that “We’ve got a young team and it’s about getting them up to speed with playing a team with the quality of Argentina. The boys have worked hard and they’re looking forward to it.”
“Argentina likes to play an open game but they know how to win the ball up front first. They’re physical and are big men who use their set pieces. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
The front row will consist of Rob Brouwer, Eric Howard and Matt Tierney with Conor Keys and Liam Chisholm starting at lock. Lucas Rumball will be the openside flanker with Burnaby’s Admir Cejvanovic at blindside., while Clay Panga starts at No. 8.
McRorie starts at scrum-half and will connect with Robbie Povey at fly-half. Nick Blevins and Brock Staller are the centers, while Taylor Paris and Dan Moor are the wings and Carl Pocock starts at fullback.
Last year, Canada lost 54-21 to Argentina in Rosario and hopes that their experience side will prevail at home.
In 2016, Canada finished third in the Americas Rugby Championship after wins over Uruguay, Brazil and Chile. Nineteen players earned their first test cap for Canada.
Replays of Saturday’s match can also be seen on TSN 1 Saturday night at 11pm ET/8pm PT, as well as on Feb. 7 at 12pm ET/9am PT on TSN 2.
Canada will host Chile on Feb. 11 at Westhills Stadium in Langford before hosting USA on Feb. 18 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
While twenty three players may be used for a match, Canada has an extended squad for the Americas Rugby Championship which include 29 players. The majority are from Canada’s U20 program, while 9 players are professionals from overseas. Nine of the players are also uncapped.
The overseas players include prop Djustice Sears-Duru (Glasgow Warriors), hooker Benoît Piffero (Blagnac), lock Reegan O’Gorman (Christchurch, NZL), center Conor Trainor (Vannes), wing Taylor Paris (Agen), and flyhalf Robbie Povey (Beford Athletic). Top 14 Academy players include flankers Matt Beukeboom (Pau), Matt Tierney (Pau) and George Barton (Clermont Auvergne)
With Canada’s athletes training together at the High Performance facility in Langford, Canada, this should pay dividends and look for Canada to improve. After the ARC, the next challenge will be preparing for the World Rugby World Cup qualifier against the USA.
Argentina XV
Argentina XV Head Coach Felipe Contepomi will be looking to attack Canada in Langford. Last year the teams’ only blemish was a tie by the USA. The Argentina XV had the best record in the initial competition in 2016 and will do everything in its power to repeat.
In preparation for this match, the side play a match against the Super League Jaguares. Although they lost the tuneup, it provided the best recent test for the players then any of the other teams.
The forwards are built to be mobile and with the inclusion of a number of sevens players, the team will be looking to light up the scoreboard. The players have been groomed through their excellent program and the dividends are noticeable.
Canada v Argentina 1. Rob Brouwer 2. Eric Howard 3. Matt Tierney 4. Conor Keys 5. Liam Chisholm 6. Admir Cejvanovic 7. Lucas Rumball 8. Clay Panga 9. Gordon McRorie – Captain 10. Robbie Povey 11. Taylor Paris 12. Nick Blevins 13. Brock Staller 14. Dan Moor 15. Carl Pocock 16. Benoit Piffero 17. Djustice Sears -Duru 18. Cole Keith 19. Reegan O’Gorman 20. Matt Beukeboom 21. Phil Mack 22. Guiseppe Du Toit 23. George Barton
Canada Expanded Squad
Canada: Head Coach Mark Anscombe Forwards: Rob Brouwer (Lindsay), Cole Keith (James Bay), Ryan Kotlewski (Westshore), Djustice Sears-Duru (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers), Eric Howard (Brantford Harlequins), Benoît Piffero (Blagnac, FR), Liam Chisholm (UVic VIkes), Conor Keys (UVic Vikes), Reegan O’Gorman (Marist Albion, NZ), Matt Beukeboom (Pau, FR), Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Ollie Nott (UVic Vikes), Clay Panga (Westshore), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach)
Backs: Phil Mack (James Bay), Gordon McRorie (UBCOB Ravens), Gradyn Bowd (UVic VIkes), Patrick Parfrey (James Bay), Robbie Povey (Bedford Athletic, UK), George Barton (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Conor Trainor (Vannes, FR), Dan Moor (Balmy Beach), Taylor Paris (Agen, FR), Brock Staller (UBC Thunderbirds), Rory McDonell (Brantford Harlequins), Carl Pocock (Calgary Rams)
Argentina XV: 1 Franco Brarda 2 Gaspar Baldunciel 3 Cristian Bartolon 4 Juan Cruz Guillemaín 5 Pedro Ortega 6 Francisco Gorrisen 7 Lautaro Bavaro (c) 8 Tomás de la Vega 9 Sebastián Cancelliere 10 Domingo Miotti 11 Santiago Álvarez 12 Bruno Devoto 13 Juan Cappiello 14 Fernando Luna 15 Bautista Delguy 16 Marcelo Brandi 17 Nicolás Solveyra 18 Santiago Medrano 19 Franco Molina 20 Rodrigo Bruni 21 Juan Manuel Lescano 22 Tomás Granella 23 Segundo Tuculet Head coach Felipe Contepomi, Ass’ts: Ignacio, Fernández Lobbe & Diego Teravasio
Expanded Squad
- Props: LHP: Franco Brarda, Nicolás Solveyara & THP: Cristian Bartolini, Eduardo Bello, Santiago Medrano
- Hooker: Gaspar Baldunciel, Marcelo Brandi
- Lock: Juan Cruz Guillemain, Franco Molina, Pedro Ortega
- Back row: Lautaro Bavaro, Rodrigo Bruni, Tomás de la Vega, Francisco Gorrissen, Santiago Montagner
- Scrumhalf: Sebastián Cancelliere, Juan Manuel Lescano
- Flyhalf: Domingo Miotti
- Center: Santiago Álvarez , Juan Cappiello, Bruno Devoto, Tomás Granella
- Wing: Franco Cuaranta, Julian Dominguez, Fernando Luna
- Fullback: Bautista Delguy
Canada’s 2017 Americas Rugby Championship Schedule:
Canada vs. Argentina — Feb. 4, Westhills Stadium, 8pm ET/5pm PT
Canada vs. Chile — Feb. 11, Westhills Stadium, 8pm ET/5pm PT
Canada vs. USA — Feb. 18, Swangard Stadium, 8pm ET/5pm PT
Uruguay vs. Canada — Feb. 25, Estadio Domingo Burgueno
Brazil vs. Canada — March 3, Pacaembu Stadium
