Friday, July 18, 2025 (Edmonton, AB) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team pushed Spain to the limit in an intense test match on Friday night at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, but a penalty goal on the final play gave the visitors a dramatic 24-23 win.
A spirited Canadian performance saw a second-half surge turn an 11-6 halftime deficit into a 20-11 lead, with Matt Oworu scoring two tries and earning City of Edmonton Player of the Match honours. The 24-year-old forward’s powerful running and clinical finishing ignited the home crowd and helped Canada seize control early in the second frame.
The Canadians crossed the line twice in that second-half flurry — both through Oworu — and held a narrow lead late in the match, with fly-half Peter Nelson contributing 13 points from the tee. But Spain capitalized on a last-minute penalty to snatch the win at the death.
“I think we showed we have the talent to hang with everyone,” said Oworu post-match. “When we were pushing to score at the end, we just slipped for half-a-second, and that’s just test rugby. It’s a game of inches, and we just missed on that last inch.”
“As long as we play in the right places and listen to our shot-callers, there’s no need to search for other answers — all the answers are in the room. We’re confident.”
It was a gritty performance from Canada, who rebounded well from last week’s narrow loss to Belgium. Lucas Rumball, captaining the side in his 60th test appearance, led from the front with physicality and key turnovers.
“It’s a mass change from [our match] six days ago,” said Rumball. “Our plan was to try to refocus, keep the wins in from last week and grow from our mistakes, and I think we did a great job fighting through 80. It was a real boxing match out there.”
Spain opened the scoring through the boot of Gonzalo López Bontempo, but Canada responded via two Nelson penalties to take a 6-3 lead. Spain struck just before the half through a corner try from Pau Aira and another penalty goal to enter the break ahead 11-6.
Canada came out firing in the second half. Oworu muscled across the line in the 45th minute after a strong build-up, and minutes later, Spencer Jones blocked a clearance kick and deftly set up Oworu for his second — putting the hosts ahead 20-11.
However, back-to-back yellow cards to Canada’s props — Calixto Martinez for a high tackle and debutant Emerson Prior for collapsing a maul — handed momentum back to Spain. A penalty try and another López Bontempo kick brought the score to 23-21.
With Spain knocking, Canada held firm late, with Evan Olmstead — making his first test appearance since the 2019 World Cup — winning a key turnover to relieve pressure. Canada marched deep into Spanish territory looking to add points to seal a home victory, but a breakdown penalty deep in stoppage time gave Spain one final chance, and López Bontempo’s 25-metre kick sealed the result for the visiting Europeans.
Despite the loss, there were positives for Head Coach Stephen Meehan’s side, including stout defence, opportunistic attack, and composure under pressure. Fullback Nelson crossed the 150-point milestone for Canada in the match, finishing with 13 points to bring his career total to 159 in 28 test appearances.
Friday’s match wraps Canada’s July test window ahead of next month’s Pacific Nations Cup opener against USA in Calgary, which doubles as the start of Canada’s 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Matt Oworu 2 (45’, 48’)
Conversions: Peter Nelson 2 (46’, 49’)
Penalty Goals: Peter Nelson 3 (16’, 21’, 62’)
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will turn its attention to the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on North American rivals USA at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Friday, August 22. Kick-off for Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup battle against the 16th-ranked Americans is scheduled for 7:00pm MT (9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT). Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS SPAIN
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks
5. Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen
6. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / NOLA Gold
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens
12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors
13. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
14. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – New England Free Jacks
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NI) – Dungannon RFC
FINISHERS
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / New England Free Jacks
19. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC
20. Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, QC) – Ormstown Saracens / RFC LA
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / University of British Columbia
22. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Pacific Pride
23. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / University of Guelph
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