These guys don鈥檛 just do soccer.
Italy, a Six Nations rugby side, defeated Langford-based sa国际传媒 20-18 on Sunday before 13,125 fans at BMO Field in Toronto. It continued a distressing pattern for sa国际传媒 of losing close Test matches in the late going. That included a 23-18 Canadian loss to Italy in pool play during the 2015 World Cup.
鈥淚t just shows you鈥檝e only got one or two chances a game and you鈥檝e got to take them and at crucial times we didn鈥檛 finish,鈥� said Canadian coach Mark Anscombe, in a statement, following Sunday鈥檚 game.
鈥淸Italy] took their opportunities and grinded out a win in the end.鈥�
sa国际传媒 is 2-7 all-time against Italy, which has won its last six meetings with sa国际传媒 and is ranked No. 13 in the world.
sa国际传媒 began its June Test series with a 26-22 loss 鈥� with a familiar late collapse (and a furious late drive that just fell short) 鈥� to No. 11 Japan at sa国际传媒 Place. That was followed by a 46-21 victory over Russia in Calgary that moved the youthful Canadian side up one spot to world No. 17. sa国际传媒 prepared for the June Tests with a training camp held at Shawnigan Lake School.
Ciaran Hearn was brought back into the XVs mix following his efforts in last weekend鈥檚 failed Canadian attempt in sevens to advance to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in the last-chance qualifier held in Monaco. Hearn, who on Sunday became only the 16th Canadian player to register 50 career caps, was shown a yellow card at 27 minutes.
Now a pro with London Irish, the 30-year-old Hearn joined fellow Castaway Wanderers products, forwards Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki, on the starting Canadian roster from the Oak Bay-based club.
Starting at fullback Sunday was Matt Evans of Duncan, who animated sa国际传媒鈥檚 2015 World Cup campaign with a spectacular try against Italy.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of a lot of the things this team has achieved [in the June series],鈥� said Anscombe, the Kiwi transplant, who resides in Victoria.
鈥淲e鈥檒l come away from this summer series wiser and knowing a lot of guys have stood up. The character and resilience of the team was excellent and they stayed in the fight right until the end.鈥�
