Canada comfortable in Brussels
Canada won the opening match of their European tour with a 43-12 victory over the Black Devils of Belgium in the mud on a wet Brussels afternoon, the first-ever Test between the two countries.
The Canadians led 26-5 at the break.
Canada has beaten Belgium on a wet day in Brussels to open its four match European tour.
Canada scored three tries in the first half, thanks to the efforts of their tight forwards. Hooker Pat Riordan scored two tries and prop Tom Dolezel one. The Belgians replied with a try by Julien Berger just before half-time.
They caused some Canadian anxiety by scoring first in the second half but in the last 15 minutes Canada pulled away.
Canada scored two tries in the second half but lost flyhalf Nathan Hirayama to a shoulder injury which has ended his tour.
On wing Taylor Paris, who at just 18, becomes the youngest-ever Canadian international, Canadian coach Kieran Crowley said: “For sure it was great for him to get his first test. He is a young guy and he is learning a lot in a hurry, but he certainly contributed out there today.”
The Canadians next play their first-ever Test against Spain and will be able to draw on players playing for European clubs as the IRB window opens.
The Scorers:
For Canada:
Tries: Dolezel, Riordan 2, White, Duke, Monro
Cons: Hirayama 3, Monro 2
Pen: Monro
For Belgium
Tries: Berger and one other
Con: 1
Teams
Belgium squad: Thibaut André, Aurélien Batardy, Julien Berger, Jérôme Cauwe, Bram Coupe, Christophe Debaty, Thomas Dienst, Denis Eppe, Charlie Fourneau, Denis Franquin, Damien Godefroy, Sébastien Guns, Dirk Haghedooren, Julien Hanchir, Pierre Hendrikx, Maxime Jadot, Daniel Janssens, Julien Massimi, Nicolas Meeus, Andrew Neal, Romain Orban, Pierre Plasman, Frédéric Rongé, Damien Veraghen, Bastian Vermeylen, Mathieu Verschelden, Norman Wende, Alan Williams
Canada: 15 Ciaran Hearn, 14 Taylor Paris, 13 Nick Blevins, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Sean Duke, 10 Nathan Hirayama, 9 Sean White, 8 Jeremy Kyne, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Chaucey O’Toole, 5 Brian Erichsen, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (captain), 1 Tom Dolezel
Replacments: 16 Andrew Tiedemann, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Jon Phelan, 19 Mitch Gudgeon, 20 Jamie MacKenzie, 21 Ander Monro, 22 Connor Braid.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
