Canada vs Kenya – Repechage

Canada faced Kenya in the first match of the World Rugby Repechage at Stade Delort in Marseille, France. Hong Kong would face Germany in the second match of the day. The repechage tournament represents the last chance to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Hong Kong, Canada, Kenya, and Germany are competing in a round-robin format event to be played across three match days on Sunday 11 November, Saturday 17 November and Friday 23 November 2018. The winner will slot into Pool B at RWC 2019 alongside defending champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, and Namibia.

Recap

Canada’s Gordon McRorie slotted a penalty kick in the 3rd minute to take an early 3-0 lead.

Kenya attacked from the restart and advanced the ball inside Canada’s 22-meter line before a tip tackle by Matt Heaton on fullback Tony Onyango resulted in a yellow card to Heaton. The ensuing kick by Darwin Mukidza went wide.

Canada increased their lead after a quick tap off a penalty with DTH Van der Merwe scoring in the corner. McRorie slotted the conversion for a 10-0 lead. Brett Beukeboom then added another try in the right corner, his first international try.

Kenya answered back with a try by Tony Onyango to cut the lead to 15-5. Canada then struck again with DTH Van der Merwe adding a second try.

it was then Kenya’s turn from a Samuel Oliech grub kick as Leo Seje grounded the ball in-goal. Mukidza slotted the conversion cutting the lead to 20-12.

Canada added another try by Theo Sauder prior to the break and McRorie converted for a 27-12 lead at the break.

Second Half

Kenya opened the second half with a try by George Nyambua from short range under the posts for an easy kick by Darwin Mukidza (27-19).

Canada answered back with a try by No.8 Tyler Ardron. McRorie slotted the kick pushing the lead to 34-19. A Canada line break then ended with a try by Theo Sauder. McRorie’s conversion from touch went wide, but Canada just broke open the match with a 39-19 lead.

Canada seized the momentum with Brett Beukeboom diving over the line for his second try . McRorie added the conversion and it was 46-19.

Mike Sheppard picked up his first cap and added his first international try. McRorie added the conversion and Canada lead was 53-19. An offload by Ciaran Hearn then freed Matt Evans to streak down the wide channel for a try in the corner. McRorie’s conversion went wide, but the lead was 58-19.

DTH Van der Merwe added a hat trick in the 77th minute and Teho Sauder slotted the conversion for a 65-19 lead.

Kenya had one last attack getting to within 5-meters of the line, but the ball was turned over and kicked past in-goal for the 65-19 win for Canada.

DTH Van der Merwe performance on the day was outstanding with three tries. Both Beukeboom and Sauder added braces.

Next for Canada is Germany on Saturday November 17 at 10 am ET, while Kenya faces Hong Kong at 7 am ET.

Squads

Canada: 1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Brett Beukeboom, 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Tyler Ardron, 9 Phil Mack (capt.), 10 Gordon McRorie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Nick Blevins, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Matt Evans, 15 Theo Sauder 16 Eric Howard, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Luke Rumball, 21 Jamie MacKenzie, 22 Ciaran Hearn, 23 Conor Trainor

Kenya: 1 Patrick Ouko, 2 Colman Were, 3 Joseph Odero, 4 George Nyambua, 5 Malcolm Onsando, 6 Andrew Amonde, 7 Davis Chenge (capt.), 8 Josh Chisanga, 9 Samson Onsomu, 10 Samuel Oliech, 11 Willy Ambaka, 12 Leo Seje, 13 Collins Injera, 14 Darwin Mukidza, 15 Tony Onyango 16 Philip Ikambili, 17 Moses Amusala, 18 Hillary Mwanjilwa, 19 Wilson Kopondo, 20 Oliver Mang’eni, 21 Mohammed Omollo, 22 William Reeve, 23 Martin Owilah

Repechage Schedule Preview