Canadians look to rebound from recent losses to win Rugby World Cup qualifier
TORONTO — Coach Mark Anscombe has revamped his lineup for the first leg of Canada’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against the U.S. on Saturday in Hamilton.
There are seven personnel changes and three positional changes from the team beaten 25-9 by 16th-ranked Romania in Edmonton as No. 23 Canada takes on the 17th-ranked U.S. Eagles at Tim Hortons Field. The return leg of the aggregate series is July 1 in San Diego.
“Rankings really mean nothing in this game,” said Anscombe. “It’s going to be who fronts up and takes advantage of the opportunities.”
Co-captain DTH van der Merwe, Ciaran Hearn and Connor Braid are the only holdovers in the backs with Braid and van der Merwe switching to the centres from fly half and wing, respectively. Hearn remains at fullback.