It was a tale of two halves for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 rugby team on Sunday.
Up against Japan to open the Pacific Nations Cup tournament, Canada faltered early. Thirty-one minutes into the game, the Brave Blossoms held a 31-0 lead.
B次元官网网址�(Japan) were so efficient, the speed of ball,B次元官网网址� said CanadaB次元官网网址檚 head coach Kingsley Jones. B次元官网网址淚t was like a whirlwind, like a wave coming over the players.B次元官网网址�
The Canadians rallied but couldnB次元官网网址檛 climb out of the hole, and ultimately settled for a 55-28 loss.
B次元官网网址淚 spoke at halftime to the team and I said B次元官网网址楧o we want to wait until next week to put things right or do we want to start now? Can we win the second half?B次元官网网址� That was the challenge,B次元官网网址� Jones said.
B次元官网网址淎nd we won the second half. Japan may have taken their foot off the gas a little bit, but IB次元官网网址檓 really proud of the players, the way they stuck at it.B次元官网网址�
Warner Dearns touched twice for 14th-ranked Japan, while Malo Tuitama, Dylan Riley, Kani Shimokawa, Seungsin Lee and Tomoki Osada also contributed tries. Lee also booted six conversions and a penalty.
Andrew Coe, Lucas Rumball and twins Talon and Takoda McMullin each had a try for No. 21-ranked Canada, while Peter Nelson added four conversions.
Japan jumped out to an early lead when Tuitama broke through the Canadian line and ran in for a try just four minutes into the game.
CanadaB次元官网网址檚 offence responded, working its way deep into scoring territory, but were unable to finish.
B次元官网网址淚 think IB次元官网网址檓 disappointed in that first 25, 30 minutes. I donB次元官网网址檛 think we did ourselves justice for where weB次元官网网址檙e at,B次元官网网址� said Rumball, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 captain.
B次元官网网址�(Japan) came in with an around the corner speed kind of game, and we didnB次元官网网址檛 adjust quick enough. I thought after that, we found our feet, found our bearing, and got into the game better. But we canB次元官网网址檛 strive to be a good nation and strive to win games and start like that.B次元官网网址�
CanadaB次元官网网址檚 current squad mixes some veteran athletes with rookie talent, and that could be seen on the field Sunday, he added.
B次元官网网址淎t the moment, we have some guys first cap, some guys fourth cap, some guys 20th cap,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o weB次元官网网址檙e kind of a little bit all over the shop in terms of experience, but itB次元官网网址檒l come through playing. And we will get there, it just might be a longer road than people think.B次元官网网址�
Japan added to the damage in the 31st minute when Nicholas Mccurran slipped through the Canadian line, then dished off to Riley as he was being hauled to the ground. Riley dashed down the field for a try and, with LeeB次元官网网址檚 convert, the Brave Blossoms took a 38-0 lead.
B次元官网网址淭hey didnB次元官网网址檛 throw anything at us that we didnB次元官网网址檛 expect. They just did it really well,B次元官网网址� said Coe. B次元官网网址淭hey stuck to their game plan really well. And maybe we should have been a bit more prepared for that in the beginning, but we settled into it pretty well, and the second half was miles better.B次元官网网址�
The Canadians finally got on the board before the half thanks to a loose ball booted by Jason Higgins. Coe chased it down and leapt on top of it for a try and Nelson made the ensuing convert, cutting CanadaB次元官网网址檚 deficit to 38-7.
JapanB次元官网网址檚 offensive outburst continued early in the second half. Three minutes in, Dearns handed off to a teammate who was taken down by CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Cooper Coats just ahead of the line. Lee collected the ball and manoeuvered around the mass for a try.
Canada responded with a gritty effort at the other end of the field. After grinding through an extended series of rucks on the line, Rumball touched. Nelson booted the convert and shrunk JapanB次元官网网址檚 advantage to 45-14 at the 46-minute mark.
The home side scored again four minutes later off a line out. Andrew Quattrin handed off to Talon McMullin, who evaded a Japanese defender and rushed in to touch before Nelson added another convert.
His brother added to the score line on an advantage in the 80th minute. Nelson booted the ball and Takoda McMullin got a hand on it for the try.
Asked who made the better play, Talon McMullin demurred.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e heard both. IB次元官网网址檒l give it to him,B次元官网网址� he said with a grin. B次元官网网址淚 think the finish was better from him. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a pretty unreal way to score your first try.B次元官网网址�
The 22-year-old twins from White Rock, B.C., had dozens of friends, family members and teammates from both high school and the University of B.C. rooting for them in the stands on Sunday.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e always been able to play together, but then to be able to play on the top stage together, weB次元官网网址檙e always just happy together,B次元官网网址� Talon McMullin said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l fight here and there, but once we step on the field, itB次元官网网址檚 nothing but love with him. He scores, I celebrate the most. I score, he celebrates the most.B次元官网网址�
The Canadians will continue the tournament in Carson, Cali., on Aug. 31 when they face the United States.
Both sides will head to Japan for the semifinals and fifth-place game in Tokyo on Sept. 14 and 15. The championship game and third-place matchup are set to go Sept. 21 in Osaka.
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