Canada, Namibia rue missed shot at rare Rugby World Cup win due to typhoon

“We’ve grown throughout the competition but for us we wanted to get that win. We wanted to win a game at the World Cup — at a minimum,” a disappointed Jones said in an interview. “It would have been a tough opponent today but a team at the same level as us.”

Canada, ranked 22nd in the world, and No. 23 Namibia were the lowest-ranked teams at the 20-country tournament.

It was the third tournament game called off due to Typhoon Hagibis.

World Rugby issued a statement saying an evacuation order remained in place in the Kamaishi area and there had been landslides and flooding in the vicinity of the stadium.

“The safety of all involved in Rugby World Cup 2019 is our primary consideration and fans are advised not to travel to Kamaishi or the venue, which will be closed,” World Rugby said.

Drawn alongside three-time champion New Zealand, two-time champion South Africa and Italy, Canada and Namibia were always in tough. They both came into Sunday with 0-3-0 records but with high hopes of adding to their win column.

The Canadians, the last team to qualify 11 months ago via a repechage, had targeted the Namibia match. Namibia looked to snap a record 22-loss streak in Rugby World Cups over the last 20 years.

Outgoing Namibia coach Phil Davies was happy to take the two points received for a default draw for the cancellation.

“We gained one point in the last World Cup, and this year we’ve gained two,” Davies said. “Statistically we’ve improved.”

While the teams were tied at two points apiece, Namibia finished fourth in the pool ahead of Canada on points difference (minus-141 for Namibia and minus-163 for Canada).

Both coaches understood World Rugby’s decision.

“I’ve never seen so much rain — and being from Wales we see a lot of rain — but it’s been phenomenal,” said Davies.

Added Jones: “It is what it is. We accept the reasons.”

Jones said Scotland assistant coach Danny Wilson had sent him video of his hotel “blowing in the wind.”

“It’s crazy,” Jones added.

Canada, on a five-day turnaround after a heavy loss to South Africa, was left looking for positives.

“I still feel the group has grown,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of young players who have got a lot of experience. About 19, 18 of these players will have the ability to play in 2023. We’re in a good place in terms of young rugby players. It’s just making sure that those players get into a daily training environment (in Major League Rugby).”

With no game to play and a mess around them in Kamaishi left by the typhoon, about 15 Canada players and staff grabbed shovels and brooms to sweep mud and debris off roads, and even from inside residents’ homes.

“In times like this there are an awful lot more important things than rugby, and when we got here we saw people’s houses absolutely destroyed, water (rising) up the walls,” Canada fly half Peter Nelson said. “We’re just trying our very small part to help them in any way we can.”

Lock Josh Larsen added: “We felt for the people of Kamaishi. (We’re) happy to help.”

The typhoon impacted Jones on a personal level. His wife and family were stuck in Tokyo, looking to rearrange travel plans.

“It’s affected everyone,” he said. “Same for the families of the players here and the travelling support. You genuinely feel for everyone.”

The Canadian team is due to leave Monday.

The Canadian men, who went 0-4-0 at the 2015 tournament, have not won a game at the World Cup since a 25-20 victory over Tonga at the 2011 competition. They have lost their last eight tournament matches, outscored 387-87 in the process.

Canada is now riding a 10-match tournament winless streak dating to 2011 when it lost to France and New Zealand and tied Japan after beating Tonga.

Rugby Canada said it will conduct a survey of its players, coaches and team management focused on learning lessons from the tournament — as well as a broader quadrennial (2016- 2019) program review.

In the past, such reviews have impacted the head coach. But that is not likely this year with the pre-tournament announcement that Jones’ role is being broadened to director of men’s performance rugby. The former Wales captain, hired in September 2017 by Rugby Canada, will continue as men’s head coach.

Still, it was a painful tournament for the Canadians with Taylor Paris, Nick Blevins, Ben LeSage and Mike Sheppard all forced out by injury.

Larsen was banned for three games after being sent off against South Africa for an illegal tackle. But the 25-year-old from Parksville, B.C., won worldwide kudos after the Springboks released video of Larsen visiting the South Africa dressing room after the game to apologize for the high hit.

Outscored 177-14 at the tournament, Canada registered just two tries (by Andrew Coe and Matt Heaton).

Two of Saturday’s three scheduled games — New Zealand against Italy and England against France — were cancelled well before the destructive typhoon made landfall. Japan’s last Pool A game against Scotland went ahead later Sunday in Yokohama.

The Kamaishi locals are no strangers to nature’s raw power.

A port town on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Kamaishi was hit hard in 2011 by an earthquake and ensuing tsunami. World Rugby said 30 per cent of homes were either damaged or destroyed, 60 per cent of businesses were completely inundated and 98 per cent of the local fishing fleet was wiped out.

The 16,000-Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium is the only newly built facility among the 12 tournament venues. Fiji played Uruguay there on Sept. 25 in Pool D play.

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With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2019.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Canada, Namibia rue missed shot at rare Rugby World Cup win due to typhoon

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