Rugby Canada – USA Under-20 defeats Canada U-20 27-25 on Saturday in Edmonton at Ellerslie Rugby Park, however Canada secures berth into 2017 JWRT based on two-game aggregate score of 71-39

EDMONTON, A.B. (June 17, 2017) — Despite a 27-25 defeat in Game 2, Canada’s Men’s Under-20 Team has advanced to the Junior World Rugby Trophy after a 71-39 win over USA Under-20.

After winning Game 1 46-12, Canada had one foot into the Junior World Trophy, knowing the USA had to beat them by 35 points to advance. Canada got tries from Aidan McMullan, Dewald Kotze, James O’Neill and Cole Keith but were undone by a last gasp Daemon Torres try.

“It was a tough fought game,” Anton Ngongo said. “Obviously we didn’t get the score that we wanted but we now know what the taste of defeat feels like and we’ll make sure not to taste it again down in Uruguay.

The USA struck first as Ruben de Haas’ penalty gave the visitors an early 3-0 lead but Canada came roaring back in the 19^thminute as Keith smashed over for a 7-3 lead. Canada extended its lead only four minutes later as McMullan scored a wonderful solo try to push the advantage to 12-5 before a Will Kelly penalty pushed the lead to 15-3.

After George Barton and Harley Wheeler were both yellow carded in the 34^th minute, USA got its first try through Christian Dyer but again Canada rebounded, hooker Kotze going over right before the half time whistle for a 20-8 lead.

USA got off to a fast second half start as Peter Howard found his way over before O’Neill replied to push Canada’s lead to 25-15. But Torres stole the show late, going over in the 59^th minute, he scored the game winner two minutes from time to steal a late win.

“Qualifying was our goal and now we need to keep on working hard,” McMullan said. “It’s a dream for all of our players so it’s going to be awesome.”

The 2017 Junior World Rugby Trophy will take place in Uruguay from August 30 – September 10.

Canada’s Men’s U20 Roster vs. USA (Name, club, hometown):

1. Liam Murray (Langley) Langley, BC

2. Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens) Edmonton, AB

3. Cole Keith (James Bay AA) Sussex, NB

4. Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds) North Vancouver, BC

5. Matt Beukeboom (Section Paloise) Lindsay, ON

6. Lachlan Currie (Bond University) Gold Coast, Australia

7. James O’Neill (UVic Vikes) Cochrane, AB

8. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC

9. Fraser Hurst (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

10. Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins) Ancaster, ON

11. Elias Ergas (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

12. Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College) Abbotsford, BC

13. George Barton, captain (Clermont) Duncan, BC

14. Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC

15. Aidan McMullan (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Montreal, QC

16. Steven Ng (Capilano RFC) Ottawa, ON

17. Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

18. Nicholas Frost (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

19. Jamie McNaughton Carleton Place, ON

20. Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON

21. William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan Piggies) Mill Bay, Victoria

22. Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC

23. Cole Davis (Canberra Royals) Calgary, AB

U20 Canada Coaching Staff:

Jeff Williams – Head Coach

Dave Butcher – Assistant Coach

Sean McDonaugh – Assistant Coach

Kiyomi Thompson – Athletic Therapist

Jeff Watson – S&C Coach

Derek Pue – Analyst

Alana Gattinger – Team Manager

Canada’s Men’s U20 Schedule:

Canada 46-12 USA — June 13 — Ellerslie Rugby Park

Canada 25-27 USA — June 17 — Ellerslie Rugby Park

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Bryan Kelly  I  Manager, Communications and Media Relations  I  Rugby Canada  I  3024 Glen Lake Road  I Langford, British Columbia, Canada V9B 4B4  I  Tel. 250.418.8998 ext. 314  I  Fax 250.386.3810  I Cell. 250.216.5272 | bkelly@rugbycanada.ca I www.rugbycanada.ca