Canada's rugby test against Tonga on Saturday in Tokyo comes with a modest prize — fifth place at the six-team Pacific Nations Cup.
But next year, such a game could mean World Cup qualification.
World Rugby says the top three teams from next year's Pacific Nations Cup will book their ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. But given No. 10 Fiji and No. 14 Japan have already qualified by virtue of their performance at last year's World Cup, a top-five finish would do it for Canada if Fiji and Japan finish above it.
That is the future. The present sees coach Kingsley Jones looking to deepen his young talent pool as the 22nd-ranked Canadian men look to work their way back to the sport's showcase after failing to qualify for last year's World Cup for the first time.
It has been a bumpy path at times. Canada lost its opening two Pacific Nations Cup games, beaten by 55-28 by Japan on Aug. 25 in Vancouver and 28-15 by the 19th-ranked U.S. on Aug. 31 in Carson, Calif.
"We've got better," Jones said from Tokyo. "I think we're also a little bit frustrated and disappointed with the performance against the U.S.A. We see it as a lost opportunity that day … After a pretty strong finish against a good Japanese team."
Canada trailed 38-7 at the half before outscoring Japan 21-17 in the second half at B.C. Place Stadium.
"We just want to keep building," Jones added. "Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back. But we need to see some progress in this game."
It won't be easy. Jones is expecting a physical test Saturday in extreme heat and humidity.
"They have a big strong, heavy (forward) pack … We need to be prepared for that," he said. "We need to make sure that we can stay in the game. We feel that we've got fitter and fitter, obviously being together for over four weeks (together) now. And we hope to be in the fight in the 50th, 60th minutes."
The Canada-Tonga game kicks off a triple-header Saturday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium with Fiji versus the U.S. in one semifinal and No. 13 Samoa versus Japan in the other.
The tournament final and third-place game are set for Sept. 21 in Higashiosaka City.
Canada last played Tonga in August 2023, losing a pair of World Cup warm-ups 28-7 and 36-12 in Nuku’alofa. The Pacific Islanders have won the last four meetings since an ill-tempered 36-27 loss to Canada in Kingston, Ont., in June 2013, also at the Pacific Nations Cup.
Tonga had one man red-carded in the first half and two more sent to the sin-bin in the second half of that game, which saw Canadian winger Matt Evans exit on a stretcher.
While Tonga leads the overall series 6-5-0, Canada has a 3-2-0 edge in games played in neutral venues. All three of those victories came at the World Cup with Canada winning 37-4 in 1987 in New Zealand, 24-7 in 2003 in Australia and 25-20 in 2011 in New Zealand.
Both teams could use a win. Tonga has lost four straight and seven of its last eight since the 36-12 win over Canada in August 2023. Canada is 2-4-0 since that meeting.
Jones has made several lineup changes with three sevens players — blindside flanker Matt Oworu, fullback Cooper Coats and wing Josiah Morra — slotting into the starting 15.
Tyler Matchem, a 20-year-old graduate of Rugby Canada's Pacific Pride developmental program, could earn his first cap for Canada off the bench.
Veteran prop Djustice Sears-Duru is sidelined after an arm injury suffered in the dying seconds of the U.S. loss.
The Pacific Nations Cup is sponsored by Asahi.
Canada Roster
Calixto Martinez, White Rock, B.C., Old Glory DC (MLR); Andrew Quattrin, Holland Landing, Ont., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Conor Young, Yamba, Australia, RFC LA (MLR); Kaden Duguid, Edmonton, Vancouver Highlanders; Mason Flesch, Cobourg, Ont., Chicago Hounds (MLR); Matthew Oworu, Calgary, Pacific Pride; Ethan Fryer, Issaquah, Wash., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Lucas Rumball, Toronto, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Jason Higgins, Cork, Ireland, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Dungannon RFC; Josiah Morra, Toronto, Toronto Saracens; Ben LeSage, Calgary, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Takoda McMullin, White Rock, B.C., Vancouver Highlanders; Andrew Coe, Markham, Ont., RFC LA (MLR); Cooper Coats, Halifax, Halifax Tars.
Replacements
Dewald Kotze, Edmonton, Dallas Jackals (MLR); Cole Keith, Apohaqui, N.B., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Tyler Matchem, Pictou County, N.S., Pacific Pride; Callum Botchar, Vancouver, NOLA Gold (MLR); Siôn Parry, Cardiff, Wales, Ebbw Vale RFC (Wales); Brock Gallagher, Edmonton, Dallas Jackals (MLR); Mark Balaski, Castlebar, Ireland, Pacific Pride; Talon McMullin, White Rock, B.C., Vancouver Highlanders.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
