Not only is Fiji famously quick in rugby, but its players are also physically massive. That combination overwhelmed the Langford-based Canadian national team by a 38-13 scoreline in a Pacific Nations Cup game in Suva on Saturday.
鈥淲e knew we were up against a very good side and some of the best individual players in the world,鈥� said Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones.
鈥淚t was a great opportunity for our players to measure themselves against those guys. We want to measure ourselves against good teams. There鈥檚 lots to build on. The effort and commitment and work of our team was exceptional, and that鈥檚 all we can ask, of course.鈥�
sa国际传媒 was looking to rebound from the 47-19 loss to the United States Eagles in the PNC opener last week in Denver, Colorado. But that was a big ask against the Fijians.
鈥淔iji really capitalized on their opportunities and we failed to capitalize on our field position,鈥� said Jones, a Welshman based in Sooke.
sa国际传媒鈥檚 game was less than crisp, which added to its woes.
鈥淲e gave away 28 points to a team that will exploit those mistakes,鈥� Jones said.
The Pacific Nations Cup prepares the Rim countries for the 2019 World Cup this fall in Japan. The Canadians play Tonga on Thursday in Lautoka, Fiji.
鈥淲e look forward to the Tonga game and a week of preparation,鈥� Jones said.
Of the 31 players on the Canadian PNC roster, 23 have made the trip across the Pacific. Several of sa国际传媒鈥檚 biggest names 鈥� including captain Tyler Ardron and Victoria stars Phil Mack and DTH van der Merwe 鈥� have been kept home. This is clearly an opportunity for lower-depth players to state their case for inclusion on the team for the 2019 World Cup.
鈥淭his is good preparation [for the World Cup],鈥� Jones said.
sa国际传媒 also has pre-World Cup matches lined up against Irish provincial power Leinster on Aug. 24 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont., against the sa国际传媒 all-stars on Aug. 30 at Westhills Stadium in Langford and against the U.S. on Sept. 7 at sa国际传媒 Place.
All of sa国际传媒鈥檚 overseas and Major League Rugby pros, and Langford-centralized players, are together through to the end of the World Cup.
