Nathan Hirayama, Aaron Carpenter, Ray Barkwill, and Nick Blevins continue to excite in Pre World Cup action, captained by Jamie Cudmore this evening in Esher.
Defeating 13th ranked Georgia, who have played better rugby in the last two years, has been a massive confidence booster for our boys.
This was an official test match so it could make a good difference in match points. But more importantly it illustrates that our game is not entirely off the rails.
Now more of the same is required. Next up a decisive victory over Fiji this weekend: it will set up the boys for a positive World Cup experience.
As for Aaron Carpenter he continues to show ’em!
The press release follows:
Canada Defeats Georgia in Pre-RWC Game
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM PICKS UP EXCITING VICTORY OVER 13TH RANKED GEORGIA IN LONDON
Andrew Tiedemann scores first-ever try while Nathan Hirayama kicks 11 points in penultimate Rugby World Cup preparation game in South London
LONDON, ENGLAND – Canada collected its second straight win of the summer after a 16-15 victory over Georgia in Esher, England, Wednesday evening. Canada got a first test try from Andrew Tiedemann while Nathan Hirayama kicked 11 points. 13 of Canada’s points came in the first half.
“They played a lot of rugby out here tonight and there were a lot of massive performances,” head coach Kieran Crowley said. “We created a few opportunities and should have nailed a couple of other tries so there’s still a lot to work and improve on. I’m just really pleased the guys came through.”
Tiedemann got Canada off to a flying start just four minutes in as he crashed over on his 33rd test appearance after a 50-meter break from Canada’s backs. Hirayama added the conversion to give Canada an early 7-0 lead.
“Tiedemann was out there the full 80 minutes and was outstanding,” Crowley said.
Each side then proceeded to exchange penalties: Lasha Malaguradze got Georgia on the board in the 13th minute but Hirayama replied six minutes later to make it 10-3 Canada. Georgia got their first try of the game in the 28th minute as flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili scored off a set play from a 5-meter scrum with Malaguradze adding the conversion to tie things at 10-10.
Canada responded in positive fashion again though as Hirayama kicked his second penalty of the night from 40-meters out to give Canada a slender 13-10 lead that they took into the break.
Hirayama continued his hot kicking form into the second half as his third penalty of the night six minutes in pushed Canada’s lead to 16-10 but he missed his next opportunity in the 52nd minute. Georgia cut the lead to 16-15 with six minutes remaining as fullback Beka Tsiklauri scored in the right corner, however, the conversion missed giving Canada a one-point victory.
“We’ve had a tough summer in terms of getting wins so it was hugely important to get that win today,” Phil Mackenzie said. “That’s two from two now in our official campaign so we’re looking forward to improving off that. This will make us even more confident in what we can do and what we can achieve at the World Cup.”
Four days ago Canada beat the Glasgow Warriors 19-12 in Halifax before heading overseas. Canada faces Fiji Sunday at the Twickenham Stoop in their final game of the Road to the World Cup. The game will be streamed LIVE with more details to come. Kickoff is 9:30 am ET / 6:30 am PT.
Canada’s Roster to face Georgia – (Club), Hometown, Province
1. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
2. Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3. Andrew Tiedemann – (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
4. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates) Lindsay, ON
5. Jamie Cudmore, Captain – (Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
6. Jebb Sinclair – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Fredericton, NB
7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8. Aaron Carpenter – (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Brantford, ON
9. Jamie Mackenzie – (UBCOB Ravens/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
10. Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
11. Phil Mackenzie – (Sale Sharks/Ontario Blues), Oakville, ON
12. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
13. Ciaran Hearn – (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Okotoks, AB
15. Matt Evans – (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
16. Benoit Piffero – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
17. Hubert Buydens – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
18. Jason Marshall – (Agen/BC Bears) North Vancouver, BC
19. Evan Olmstead – (Parramatta Two Blues/Prairie Wolf Pack) Vancouver, BC
20. Kyle Gilmour – (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
21. Gordon McRorie – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
22. Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
23. Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) North Vancouver, BC
Georgia’s Roster to Face Canada:
1 Karlen Asieshvili
2 Shalva Mamukashvili
3 Levan Chilachava
4 Giorgi Nemsadze
5 Levan Datunashvili
6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili
7 Mamuka Gorgodze – captain
8 Lasha Lomidze
9 Giorgi Begadze
10 Lasha Malaguradze
11 Giorgi Aptsiauri
12 Tamaz Mchedlidze
13 Merab Sharikadze
14 Giorgi Pruidze
15 Beka Tsiklauri
16 Jaba Bregvadze
17 Mikheil Nariashvili
18 Davit Zirakashvili
19 Kostantine Mikautadze
20 Giorgi Chkhaidze
21 Vazha Khutsishvili
22 Lasha Khmaladze
23 Davit Kacharava
Scoring details:
Canada
Tries: Andrew Tiedemann
Conversions: Nathan Hirayama
Penalties: Nathan Hirayama (3)
Georgia
Tries: Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Beka Tsiklauri
Conversions: Lasha Malaguradze
Penalties: Lasha Malaguradze
Road to the Rugby World Cup:
August 29 – Canada 19-12 Glasgow Warriors
September 2 – Canada 16-15 Georgia
September 6 – Canada vs. Fiji (The Stoop, England)
Kick off: 2:30pm local time
(9:30am ET/6:30am PT)
Rugby World Cup Pool Matches:
September 19 – Canada vs. Ireland (Cardiff, Wales)
September 26 – Canada vs. Italy (Leeds, England)
October 1 – Canada vs. France (Milton Keynes, England)
October 6 – Canada vs. Romania (Leicester, England)
