Sports Take

Rugby Canada has two massive matches early Saturday morning, starting 2am MT with the Canadian Men’s 15 taking on Japan. The second match at 5am MT is the Women’s Rugby World Cup group match against 10th ranked Wales.

For the men it’s a chance to seal their own fate, a single bonus point in the Pacific Nations Cup matchup against Japan will qualify team Canada back into the Rugby World Cup(RWC) after missing out the last edition in 2023, the first time Canada failed to qualify for the event since the RWC began in 1987. There are 2 ways for the boys to get that bonus point, 4 tries in the match, or losing by 7 points or less. Lasts years meeting ended with Canada getting that 4th try in the last minute of the match, that is the easier of the two options against Japan, in total there have been 26 matches between Canada and Japan, with Canada winning 8 and drawing 2. Last time Canada beat Japan was in 2005. There is another way for Canada to qualify, however it’s out of their control. Japan would have to beat the USA next week or USA winning by 13 points or less, or USA winning without a bonus point. Personally sitting and waiting to see what happens isn’t my idea of a fun time, get the bonus point, don’t let others decide your fate and qualify. Today.

The women have a tough task ahead as well, with a win it guarantees knockout phase of the tournament with no other team being able to catch them for second. Wales is a top 10 ranked team, Canada is ranked second behind England. There have been 13 meetings between the two nations with Canada winning 9, and drawing 2. The last meeting in 2022 ended in a 22-3 victory for the Canadians.

For those who love rugby in Canada, these are games to stay up and watch, which is what I’ll be doing. LET’S GO CANADA!