Canadian men downs U.S. on aggregate to advance to World Rugby Junior Trophy

HOUSTON – Canada has qualified for the second-tier under-20 World Rugby Trophy with an 82-62 aggregate win over the U.S.

The Canadian men’s squad lost the second leg of its doubleheader against the American squad 40-22 on Saturday at Rice University, but won the first match in dominant fashion 60-22 on Tuesday.

The aggregate victory sealed a berth for Canada at the event in Bucharest, Romania from Aug. 24 to Sept. 10.

Canada joins host Romania, Fiji, Hong Kong, Namibia, Portugal, Uruguay and Samoa.

The U.S. took a commanding 14-point lead in the first eight minutes on Saturday.

Canada managed to claw back into the game on a penalty by Brennig Prevost and a try by Elias Ergas to trail 14-10 at halftime.

Prevost notched a conversion and a try, while Ergas added another try in the second half, but the U.S. countered with four tries of its own and a conversion.

“We were delighted to qualify over an athletic and skillful U.S. team, but our frailties were revealed today ” said Canada’s coach Jeff Williams.

“We have challenges ahead to perform well in Bucharest.”