Saturday was a busy day for rugby fans with five senior men’s test matches worldwide. At day’s end Canada, internationally ranked 18th faced Japan, ranked 10th at BC Place in Vancouver. Canada led off scoring with Taylor Paris scoring a try just six minutes into play. At half time, Japan had a 13-12 lead. Within seconds of match end, with 26 to 22 against on the scoreboard, Canada was denied a final try to win the match after Japan successfully held up Sears-Duru from grounding the ball inside Japan’s try line, ending the game.
Ray Barkwell, Jamie Cudmore and Aaron Carpenter all scored single tries while Gord McRorie converted Barkwell’s five pointer. Canada left 12 points on the pitch missing 3 conversions and 2 penalty kick attempts. Newfoundland’s Pat Parfrey played the #10 position as half-fly (team tactician) for most of the match. In round 2, Canada plays Russia next Saturday at Calgary Rugby Park.
