Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team falls to the host team in gritty second match in Fiji

Hosts Fiji won 56-24 over Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team in the Canadians’ second match of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge in Nadi on Monday.

It was a commanding first half for Fiji, who scored six converted tries to lead 42-7 at half-time. Josh McIndoe scored Canada’s lone try of the first half, capitalizing off a dropped ball by Fiji and chasing down his own kick to get Canada on the board in the 36th minute. Liam Kinghorn converted the try.

Canada had a much stronger second half, despite continuing to face intense pressure from Fiji’s offence. Fiji attacked with a sequence of pick and go plays on Canada’s goal line to start the second half, but Canada’s defence kept them from adding to their lead.

In the 55th minute, Josh du Toit and Adam Doane connected on the lineout to create a driving maul for Canada; while the maul collapsed just short of the line, after a few pick and go attempts, Austin Allen eventually found a gap for Canada’s second try. Kinghorn once again kicked a good conversion.

Fiji added to their lead three minutes later. This was followed by a try from Canadian captain Daragh Doyle however, who scored in the far left corner to put the score at 49-19.

In the 74th minute, after a strong push from Canada’s forwards, McIndoe kicked the ball across the field, with Reece Thompson contesting for it in the air and knocking it back to Morgan Di Nardo, who scored in the corner.

Fiji scored one last try in the final minute of play, off a quick tap and go.

Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team heads into their final game in Fiji with one win and one loss. They will close out the tournament against Tonga on June 7 at 2:00pm local time (June 6 at 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET). The match will be available on RugbyPass TV.  

CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM ROSTER vs FIJI

1. Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) – Queen’s University / UBCOB Ravens
2. Josh Du Toit (Cape Town, RSA) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
3. Cole Harris (Uxbridge, ON) – Pacific Pride / Brock RFC
4. Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC
5. Ben Koolen (Banbury, ENG) – Bloxham School / Gloucester Rugby
6. Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans
7. Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – University of Victoria / Aurora Barbarians
8. Alexander Muir (Victoria, BC) – University College Dublin / UBCOB Ravens
9. Reece Thompson (Uxbridge, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby
10. Evan Davies (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC
11. Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – University of Victoria
12. Joshua McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Greerton Marist Rugby Club
13. Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
14. Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
15. Max McGavern (Newcastle, AUS) – Univeristy of British Columbia / St Joseph’s

FINISHERS

16. Andrew Neveu (Uxbridge, ON) – Durham College / Oshawa Vikings RFC
17. Alistair Yeomans (Mississauga, ON) – University of Guelph / Mississauga Blues
18. Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) – Leeds Beckett University / Red Deer Titans
19. Quinn Foley (Oakville, ON) – University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
20. Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) – University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish
21. Daniel Muzaliwa (Cape Town, RSA) – University of Waterloo / Waterloo County
22. Jimmy Leach (London, ENG) – Brunel University
23. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens