Motivation key to Canada reaching RWC 2011
While Samoa took a massive step towards Rugby World Cup 2011 – 115-7 winners over Papua New Guinea in their first play-off tie – Canada beat the USA at the weekend to become the 13th team to book their place at the tournament in New Zealand.
The Canadians were too strong on home soil in Edmonton, coming from 12-6 behind on aggregate to win the second leg 41-18 and proceed by 17 points.
"There was a lot on this game and we let ourselves down last week," said Canada coach Kieran Crowley. "We didn't turn up (in the first match) and we wanted to put things right so it's been a long week waiting for this game, so we're pretty happy.
"We didn't create a lot in the first half but we lived off their turnovers, which was great, and then we went for a long period in the second half with no ball but we made them pay a couple of times and were able to keep that little bit in front."
The day provided something of a fairytale for Canada prop Kevin Tkachuk– a World Cup place secured on the occasion of his 50th cap.
Standing up to be counted
"It's one of the best things you could hope for against our arch-rivals the USA," the former Canada captain admitted. "This is like a home game for me, it's as close as I get to home, the crowd was fantastic but more importantly the boys were fantastic.
"We had a game plan and executed it really well. We embarrassed ourselves with our performance last week in Charleston, we knew we were better and we just had to prove it and I think we did that.
"Kieran (Crowley) talked about times in your life when you have to stand up, as an individual and as a team, and today was one of those times and I'm so proud of everyone."
For the USA Eagles, the loss means two more gruelling qualifiers against Los Teros of Uruguay to determine the identity of Americas 2 who will join Australia, Ireland, Italy and Europe 2 in Pool C at RWC 2011.
"We have to take it on the chin as a loss, know the feeling and realise that you don't want to feel it again," said captain Todd Clever, who scored a late consolation try at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
Turning point
"We have to work out how we're going to get better on the training field as soon as possible, get everyone together as soon as possible and work on improving."
Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan added: "The turning point was giving away a try from 80 metres and then within minutes having a player sent off. After that we were chasing the game.
"Canada did play well, they punished our mistakes and I think the game slipped away from us before half time.
"We've been together for seven weeks so it comes down to when those Uruguay fixtures are set as to when we meet up next.
"The chances of getting together soon are slim though because the players will have trouble getting off work."
The dates for the fixtures between the USA and Uruguay will be announced in due course on rugbyworldcup.com.
