Canada has historically the strongest side in the North America, with a 100% record in Qualifying for the World Cup and have been at every World Cup since 1987, the struggle, however, has been getting past the top two seeds in their groups, having been grouped with France on three of the seven occasions.
Their best showing was at the 1991 World Cup in France, where they were placed in a group with the hosts as well as relatively weak opposition in Romania and Fiji. They powered through Fiji 13-3 and Romania similarly 19-11, before pushing hosts France 19-13 when qualification to the next round was assured.
Unfortunately, their good luck came to an end as they were drawn against the All Blacks in the quarter-finals, losing 29-13. Such is Canada’s problem when coming up against side opposition outside of the Americas.
I say Canada was in a weak group, in comparison to playing Wales and Ireland in 1987 and then South Africa and Australia in 1995. Such is the problem for Canada in 2015 as they are once again paired with France, coupled with Six Nations winners Ireland, a tricky fixture against an unfamiliar Italy. If they survive those tests they may stand a chance against Romania in the last fixture of the group.
Canada has had a rough year in Rugby Union, they are without a win in 2015 as they struggle for momentum. Their grip on rugby in North America is slipping away as the USA grow ever stronger while they beat the Canadians home and away this year particularly in the recent 41-23 victory in Ottawa.
The Canadians do however have a very strong and successful team in 7’s tournaments. Having beaten New Zealand just a few years back they have gone leaps and bounds, and recently won the Pan Am Games gold medal. With Rugby 7’s becoming an Olympic sport it is clearly high on the agenda for Rugby Canada to become successful in that area, to grow popularity and interest in a nation where rugby is a second tier sport.
Still with the success of the 7’s comes some talented players, fly-half Nathan Hirayama, fullback Harry Jones, flanker John Moonlight and centre Conor Trainor, all featured at the Pan Am Games, and all of which also started in the loss to the USA. Transferring this talent has not been simple but should stand to be Canada’s best chance at the World Cup.
It is certainly a new breed of players coming into the Canada team as these 7’s players kick out the old guard. A particular absence at the World Cup will be James Pritchard, 36.
The Australian-born fullback is the all-time points leader of the Canadian men’s team as well as a veteran of the past three World Cups and his experience seemed key to the Canadian’s success in England this fall. However, the coaching staff clearly feel the time to blood the youngsters is now as 7’s fullback Harry Jones is given the chance to make the position his own.
All in all you would hope Canada can use their 7’s victory as confidence going into this tournament and push Italy for that third spot, but realistically it will be tough for Canada. I still expect they will beat Romania to finish fourth in the group. They will go home with big questions for the future and hopefully some answers too.
