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Canada will open their November international series with a first-ever senior test against the Netherlands on Saturday. Amsterdam’s NRCA Stadium acts as the backdrop between the two sides who sit 23rd and 28th respectively on the World Rugby Rankings.
Both teams notably are coached by former Welsh international flankers. Kingsley Jones has been Head Coach of Canada since September of 2017, while Lyn Jones is new to Dutch rugby having been appointed in September of this year. Each has also previously coached the Russian national team.
It’s a new-look Dutch side with six uncapped players selected. The most notable additions are Mont-de-Marsan flyhalf Willie du Plessis, former Otago back Leroy van Dam, and Rouen Normandie fullback Peter Lydon. Also new are No8 Stijn Albers and a pair of replacements – hooker Jesse Wagemaker and flyhalf Kevin Lenssen. All three are based locally.
Loosehead prop Hugo Langelaan captains the side, one of seven starters from the Rugby Europe Super Cup side Delta. Tighthead prop Andy Darlington plays in England, flanker Wolf van Dijk in Portugal, while French rugby provides second rows Koen Bloemen and Louis Bruinsma and flanker Spike Salman.
By contrast the Canadian side is comprised entirely of players based in North America. Replacement prop Conor Young played in Australia’s Shute Shield this past year but will move to Major League Rugby in the coming season. Young is set to win his first cap, along with starting winger Josiah Morra and reserve forwards Callum Botchar and Matt Klimchuk.
New York winger Andrew Coe is the only starter who did not tour Brazil with Canada ‘A’ last month. Others who have joined the squad are loosehead prop Djustice Sears-Duru and versatile back Brock Webster. No1 Liam Murray celebrates his first test start while inside center Josh Thiel returns to win his second cap more than four years removed from his test debut.
Both teams last convened for test rugby in July. The Netherlands lost to Emerging Italy by 50-5 in Rovigo and to Zimbabwe by 30-7 in Amsterdam. Canada defeated Belgium 45-0 in Halifax and then lost to Spain 57-34 in Ottawa.
A mainly sunny day is expected with mild temperatures but high humidity. Canada are the higher-ranked team and used the two-match tour of Brazil to prepare, but could be vulnerable with none of their European-based professionals included. The Netherlands will be boosted by their new additions, and will be keen to welcome their new coach with a victory. Give the favorites tag to the visitors but this should be a competitive match.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 5:30am Pacific, 8:30am Eastern. TSN’s digital services will broadcast for Canadian viewers while a live stream will also be available on Eyecon.
NETHERLANDS
1 Hugo Langelaan (capt.), 2 Ross Bennie-Coulson, 3 Andy Darlington, 4 Koen Bloemen, 5 Louis Bruinsma, 6 Spike Salman, 7 Wolf van Dijk, 8 Stijn Albers, 9 Rik van Balkom, 10 Willie du Plessis, 11 Siem Noorman, 12 Daily Limmen, 13 Leroy van Dam, 14 Daan van der Avoird, 15 Peter Lydon
Replacements: 16 Jessy Wagemaker, 17 Lodi Buijs, 18 Delano Jansen van der Sligte, 19 Jim Boelrijk, 20 Dirk Wierenga, 21 Mark Coebergh, 22 Kevin Lenssen, 23 Té Campbell
CANADA
1 Liam Murray, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Corey Thomas, 5 Josh Larsen, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Siaki Vikilani, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Josiah Morra, 12 Josh Thiel, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Cooper Coats
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Conor Young, 19 Callum Botchar, 20 Matt Klimchuk, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 David Richard, 23 Brock Webster
Date: Saturday, November 12
Venue: NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Kickoff: 14:30 local (05:30 Pacific, 08:30 Eastern)
Referee: Benoît Rousselet (France)
Assistants: Vivien Praderie (France) & Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: n/a
Broadcasts: Eyecon, TSN Digital (Canada)
