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It’s all to play for in Marseille on Friday evening, as Hong Kong and Canada will go head-to-head to determine the final spot at the 2019 World Cup. Canada enter with a clear advantage – if they hold Hong Kong to less than four tries or score four themselves it will be enough to win the Repechage regardless of outcome. A loss of seven or less points will also do the trick.
Anything less than a win, however, will be a letdown for Canada coach Kingsley Jones. He has made only one change to the side that beat Germany. Taylor Paris returns from injury to replace the injured Matt Evans on the wing. Hubert Buydens wins his 50th cap in an otherwise unchanged match day 23.
Hong Kong took a risk naming a reserve side against Kenya and as expected have recalled their big guns to face Canada. The front row of Dan Barlow, Dayne Janes, and Grant Kemp is restored and there is a first cap for call-up Craig Lodge. The former Cardiff RFC lock partners Fin Field in the second row to give the team two primary lineout options.
To make room skipper James Cunningham starts at blindside flank for the first time since 2016. The more experienced Toby Fenn retains his spot ahead of Michael Coverdale on the openside flank, and Thomas Lamboley returns at No8 after scoring two tries as a replacement against Kenya.
Preferred halfback duo Liam Slatem and Matt Rosslee are back but the midfield remains the same as the more physical Ben Axten-Burrett beats out Max Woodward for the No12 shirt. Giant winger Conor Hartley replaces Max Denmark on the left flank and Casey Stone comes in at fullback.
Rain is expected on Friday and Hong Kong look to be anticipating a significant battle at the lineout. Rosslee showed his tactical kicking ability in the first hour of the Germany match and Stone is a dangerous counter-attacker at the back. The Dragons also have a potential advantage in having rested some of their key starters against Kenya.
Both teams play similar styles but the size and strength of the Canadian pack should be the difference maker. The Dragons struggled to hang with the German pack for a full 80 minutes and after watching Canada dismantle Germany up front last Saturday it’s hard to see any different happening in this one.
The weather is the great equalizer and avoiding mistakes in the early going will be the key. Canada must also be aware of their discipline with Rosslee a long-range points option. At the end of the day this is Canada’s game to lose. Look for the Maple Leafs to wrap up an early Christmas present with a decent win over a game but outmatched Hong Kong.
Kickoff is set for 9pm local time, 3pm Eastern. Those in Canada can watch on TSN 1 or 4, with NBC Sports Gold holding the rights for the USA.
Everyone else can access the live stream on World Rugby’s YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.
HONG KONG
1 Dan Barlow, 2 Dayne Jans, 3 Grant Kemp, 4 Craig Lodge, 5 Fin Field, 6 James Cunningham (capt.), 7 Toby Fenn, 8 Thomas Lamboley, 9 Liam Slatem, 10 Matt Rosslee, 11 Conor Hartley, 12 Ben Axten-Burrett, 13 Tyler Spitz, 14 Salom Yiu, 15 Casey Stone
Replacements: 16 Alex Post, 17 Ben Higgins, 18 Jack Parfitt, 19 Michael Parfitt, 20 Nick Hewson, 21 Jamie Lauder, 22 Jamie Hood, 23 Max Woodward
CANADA
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Matt Tierney, 4 Mike Sheppard, 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Tyler Ardron, 9 Phil Mack (capt.), 10 Gordon McRorie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Taylor Paris, 15 Theo Sauder
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Brett Beukeboom, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Jamie MacKenzie, 22 Nick Blevins, 23 Conor Trainor
Date: Friday, November 23
Kick-Off: 21:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern)
Venue: Stade Pierre Delort, Marseille
Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)
Assistants: JP Doyle (RFU) & Joy Neville (IRFU)
TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)
Broadcasts: TSN 1 & 4, NBC Sports Gold, World Rugby
