World Rugby Repechage: Canada vs. Hong Kong

Canada and Hong Kong will face each other in the final World Rugby repechage match in Marseille, France this Friday at 3 pm ET.

Last week, Canada defeated Germany 29-10 and Hong Kong’s strong second half resulted in a 42-17 win over Kenya.

Canada now has the inside track to advance to the 2019 Rugby World Cup either with a win over Hong Kong or a draw. They can also advance in they get a bonus point. Hong Kong win needs a bonus point win and to deny Canada obtaining a bonus point.

Germany will face Kenya in the other match. While neither team can advance to the Rugby World Cup, Germany can come in second in the repechage should Hong Kong lose to Canada.

The World Rugby Repechage winner will advance to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan in Pool B alongside defending champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, and Namibia.

Canada

Head Coach Kingsley Jones is sticking to what worked against Germany. he has made one change to his squad due to the injury of Matt Evans at wing. Taylor Paris will start instead.

Hubert Buydens, a 2011 & 2015 Rugby World Cup veteran, will earn his 50th cap and will be joined in the front row by Ray Barkwill and Matt Tierney. Mike Sheppard and Evan Olmstead are the locks and the back rows are Kyle Baillie, Lucas Rumball, and Tyler Ardron.

The backs are captained by Phil Mack and he will link with Gordon McRorie as halfbacks. Ciaran Hearn and Ben Lesage are the centers and the back three are DTH Van der Merwe, Taylor Paris, and Theo Sauder.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has made ten changes in the starters from last week’s match against Kenya. The front row has been swapped with Barlow, Dayne Janes, and Grant Kemp back. Former Cardiff lock Craig Lodge will earn his first cap at lock and team with Fin Field. Toby Fenn retains his start at flanker and is joined by captain James Cunningham with Thomas Lamboley at No. 8.

The backs will have a halfback combination o Liam Slatem and Matt Rosslee, with two back three changes with Conor Hartley at wing and Casey Stone the fullback. The elusive Salom Yiu starts for the third time, while the centers, Ben Axten-Burrett, and Tyler Spitz remain unchanged.

Squads

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

Hong Kong: 1 Dan Barlow 2 Dayne Jans 3 Grant Kemp 4 Craig Lodge 5 Fin Field 6 James Cunningham (C) 7 Toby Fenn 8 Thomas Lamboley 9 Liam Slatem 10 Matt Rosslee11 Conor Hartley 12 Ben Axten-Burrett 13 Tyler Spitz 14 Salom Yiu 15 Casey Stone 16 Alex Post 17 Ben Higgins 18 Jack Parfitt 19 Michael Parfitt 20 Nick Hewson 21 Jamie Lauder 22 Jamie Hood 23 Max Woodward