Canada v Uruguay: Game one post analysis & photo essay

Photos and Text: Mark Janzen

It wasn’t the result Canada had hoped for. A 38-29 home loss to Uruguay sent Canada to another defeat in its efforts to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2019.

Now, to earn qualification within the two-match total points series, the Canadian squad, which features an impressive selection of professionals, must steal a 10-point victory in the second leg in Montevideo, Uruguay Saturday (3pm ET/12pm PT). Indeed, Canada is in a quandary.

It looked good early on, with Canada holding a 17-7 lead midway through the first half, but it wasn’t meant to be on the day.

A powerful Uruguayan side silenced the crowd of 16,132 inside BC Place, putting up 31 points over the final 50 minutes a cruising to an historic win that stands amongst Uruguay’s best-ever victories.

However, despite it all, it was still a night to remember in Vancouver, with a boisterous crowd witnessing a four-try Canadian effort that showed a glimmer of hope that perhaps, maybe, possibly, if things go well, Saturday’s ever-so tall task might actually be attainable.

After the game, Canadian coach Kingsley Jones might have said it best.

“We have got to win by 10 points next week. I know we havn't done it for a while but we'll have to go and do it."