Ardron’s Record-Tying Four Tries Lead Canada Past USA in Pacific Nations Cup Opener

Ardron’s Record-Tying Four Tries Lead Canada Past USA in Pacific Nations Cup Opener

Friday, August 22, 2025 (Calgary, AB) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team made a resounding statement in the opening round of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, defeating the 16th-ranked United States 34–20 in front of 11,587 fans at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.

In his first test match since 2021, No. 8 Tyler Ardron produced a performance for the ages, scoring four tries to equal a Canadian single-test record that has stood since 2000. The victory gives 25th-ranked Canada their first win over their longtime rivals since 2021 and caps a successful summer for Canadian rugby – one that saw more than 23,000 fans attend the three national team matches hosted across the country.

First Half: Ardron Announces His Return

Canada came out firing and were rewarded in just the 3rd minute when Ardron powered over from close range after sustained pressure near the USA line. Fullback Peter Nelson converted for a 7–0 lead, but the Americans answered quickly through centre Dom Besag, with flyhalf AJ MacGinty adding the extras.

The visitors struck again in the 17th minute, with Rufus McLean latching onto a kick from MacGinty to push the USA ahead 14–7. But Canada would not be denied. Ardron dotted down for his second try in the 21st minute after a deft cross-field kick from Nelson, and then, after a period of forward dominance, completed his hat trick before halftime.

At the break, the teams were level at 17–17, but the momentum and the crowd belonged to the hosts, who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and were perfect on their own lineout throws.

Second Half: Records and Resilience

MacGinty nudged the USA ahead 20–17 early in the second half, but Nelson’s 40-metre penalty goal restored parity. Then Canada seized control.

Ardron stormed across for his fourth try in the 57th minute — tying Kyle Nichols’ 25-year-old Canadian record for tries in a test match — and Nelson coolly slotted the conversion for a 27–20 lead. Just four minutes later, Nelson turned scorer himself, capitalizing on a spilled USA high ball to kick ahead twice and dive on the loose ball for Canada’s fifth try.

The Americans lost MacGinty to a yellow card soon after, and Canada’s defence did the rest. Lock Evan Olmstead led the way with key breakdown turnovers, while 19-year-old scrum-half Stephen Webb, the son of the late Toronto Arrows co-founder and Canadian rugby stalwart Bill Webb, came on for his first cap in the closing stages.

Post-Match Reaction

“It was the unit that made the difference tonight,” said captain Lucas Rumball. “That was the focus of the game, just making every little thing matter: every minute, every tackle, every pass, everything. We showed that togetherness, and I’m proud of the guys.”

Head coach Stephen Meehan praised the collective effort: “The players delivered just about everything that we asked of them, and I’m delighted for them. They really worked hard, and they deserve every bit of enjoyment now.”

“It takes a whole squad to win a test match. We had 23 dressed today, along with a number of guys on the bench supporting them, and they’re every bit as important as the players who took the field. Collectively, we’re really happy with what we’ve been able to achieve tonight.”

Rumball also offered well wishes to Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, who start their Rugby World Cup campaign tomorrow with a clash against Fiji: “I’d just like to wish good luck to the Canadian women in the World Cup. I know they’re pushing hard, and I know they can do it. You’ve got the [men’s] fifteens team behind you.”

CANADA SCORING SUMMARY  

Tries: Tyler Ardron 4 (3’, 21’, 37’, 57’), Peter Nelson (61’)
Conversions: Peter Nelson 3 (4’, 58’, 62’)
Penalty Goals: Peter Nelson 2 (45’)

UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM  

Following Friday’s match in Calgary, the team will travel to Japan to take on the hosts on Saturday August 30 at 1:00am PT / 4:00am ET / 5:00pm Local. All six Pacific Nations Cup sides (Canada, United States, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji) will later convene in Denver, Colorado in September for the play-offs, with the semi-finals and fifth place play-off taking place on September 14 in Denver, and the final and third place play-off taking place on September 20 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The top three teams from the tournament will qualify for the Rugby World Cup (minus Fiji and Japan, who have already qualified); the last placed team at the conclusion of the tournament will then look to qualify through the South America / Pacific Play-off.

More information about the Pacific Nations Cup can be found here.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs UNITED STATES 

1.  Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) -  Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC
2.  Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
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.  Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds
7.  Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
8.  Tyler Ardron (Peterborough, ON) – Ottawa Ospreys / Castres Olympique
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.  Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks
13.  Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds  
14.  Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) - New England Free Jacks
15.  Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC    
 
FINISHERS

16. Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZ) – Bayside RFC / Seattle Seawolves
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) - Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) - Winnipeg Wombats / New England Free Jacks
19. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) - Balmy Beach RFC / University of British Columbia   
22. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) - Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors 
23. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors

The translated version of this article will be available shortly.