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Canada’s first ever RWC match was against Tonga. It was a day three match of RWC 1987 and it took place at McLean Park in Napier. The North Americans put on a memorable performance as they were comprehensive winners in the historic encounter.
Prior to RWC 1987 there had been just one match between Canada and Tonga. That game took place in Vancouver in 1974 with the Pacific Islanders winning 40-14. A lot had changed in the thirteen years before matches, as Canada demonstrated in Napier.
Also competing in Pool B were Ireland and Wales. The two European sides both claimed wins over Canada and Tonga, an outcome which saw them securing places in the RWC 1987 Quarter Finals. Canada settled for their, but would reach the Quarter Finals four years later at RWC 1991.
Attendance: 7,000
SCORING
CANADA (37)
Try: Palmer (2), Vaesen (2), Stuart, Frame, Penalty try
Conversion: Wyatt (2), Gareth Rees
Penalty: Rees
TONGA (4)
Try: Valu
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Eddie Evans, 2 Mark Cardinal, 3 Bill Handson, 4 Ron van den Brink, 5 Hans de Goede (capt.), 6 Rob Frame, 7 Roy Radu, 8 Glen Ennis, 9 Ian Stuart, 10 Gareth Rees, 11 Tom Woods, 12 Spence McTavish, 13 Paul Vaesen, 14 Pat Palmer, 15 Mark Wyatt
Replacements: 16 Ian Hyde-Lay, 17 Steve Gray, 18 Dave Tucker, 19 Bruce Breen, 20 Randy McKellar, 21 Karl Svoboda
TONGA
1 Soakai Motu’apuaka, 2 Amone Fungavaka, 3 Hakatoa Tupou, 4 Polutele Tui’halamaka, 5 Kasi Fine, 6 Taipaleti Tu’uta, 7 Fakahau Valu (capt.), 8 Kini Fotu, 9 Talai Fifita, 10 Alamoni Liava’a, 11 Quddus Fielea, 12 Talanoa Kitekei’aho, 13 Sami Mohi, 14 Soane Asi, 15 Tali Ete’aki
Replacements: 16 Manu Vunipola, 17 Asa Amone, 18 Lemeki Vaipulu, 19 Viliami Lutua, 20 Takai Makisi, 21 Sione Tahaafe
