Canada finish u20 Trophy on a high

Canada finished their World Rugby u20 Trophy campaign on a high after thrashing Romania by 71-14 in Bucharest on Sunday. The result is a welcome one after three frustrating defeats to open the competition, all after holding second half leads.

Kevin Vertkas started the scoring, his first of two tries coming on a straight line off scrumhalf Brandon Schellenberger from close range. Romania replied through their midfield battering ram as Sebastian Sirbu bashed through three defenders on his way to the line.

That to spark the Canadians into action. Jack McCarthy was over in the corner moments later and he would be followed in clock-like fashion by Elias Ergas, Peter Ingoldsby, and Josiah Morra. McCarthy’s second was a long-range effort, the rangy winger finishing off half-breaks by Schellenger, Ergas, and Brennig Prevost.

The Romanians came out quickly from the shed with their other centre Cristian Bumbac rounding the defense but that would be the last say for the home side. Jack McRogers was the first of five tries to close out the game for Canada. Vertkas made it a double with captain James O’Neill and reserve prop Guerschom Mukendi also scoring. Prevost added a try to his eight conversions to finish with a personal haul of 21 points.

The 7th-place finish mimics that of 2017 for Canada, a disappointment both times after entering the tournament with higher ambitions. They have 10 players eligible to return in 2019. Romania have 14 that can return with 6 able to play a third time in 2020.

 

SCORING

ROMANIA 14
Tries – S. Sirbu (11′), C. Bumbac (44′)
Cons – I. Harasim 2/2 (12′, 45′)
Yellow cards – R. Murariu (78′)

CANADA 71
Tries – K. Vertkas 2 (5′, 52′), J. McCarthy 2 (14′, 35′), E. Ergas (19′), P. Ingoldsby (29′), J. Morra (33′), J. McRogers (47′), B. Prevost (68′), J. O’Neill (73′), G. Mukendi (75′)
Cons – B. Prevost 8/11 (6′, 15′, 20′, 30′, 34′, 53′, 69′, 74′)

 

TEAMS

ROMANIA
1 Valentin Matache, 2 Darius Placintar, 3 Rares Straja, 4 Stefan Iancu, 5 Andrei Pasalan, 6 Vlad Neculau (capt.), 7 Radu Anton, 8 Razvan Belehuz, 9 Emanuel Grigore, 10 Vlad Leica, 11 Ionut Harasim, 12 Sebastian Sirbu, 13 Cristian Bumbac, 14 Alexandru Craciun, 15 Paul Popoaia

Replacements: 16 Adrian Tala, 17 Flavian Cuprian, 18 Laurentiu Nica, 19 Robert Murariu, 20 Dragos Ser, 21 Andrei Homiuc, 22 Gabriel Jipa, 23 Cosmin Iliuta

CANADA
1 Gavin Kratz, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Emerson Prior, 4 Tyler Duguid, 5 Quentin James, 6 Peter Ingoldsby, 7 James O’Neill (capt.), 8 Michael Smith, 9 Brandon Schellenberger, 10 Brennig Prevost, 11 Jack McCarthy, 12 Kevin Vertkas, 13 Seth Purdey, 14 Josiah Morra, 15 Elias Ergas

Replacements: 16 Tyler Rockwell, 17 Mitchell Wainman, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Jackson Matthews, 21 Campbell Clarke, 22 Lachlan Kratz, 23 Gabriel Casey, 24 Owain Ruttan