Van der Merwe shatters Kenya's World Cup dream
REPORT: Canada’s Daniel Tailliferre Hauman van der Merwe scored a hat-trick of tries on Sunday, as his side powered past Kenya with a thumping 65-19 win to take a step closer to the 2019 World Cup.
The North Americans won the first of their three repechage games in Marseille, to decide the final spot at next year’s World Cup in Japan, in the 10-try romp.
As well as Van der Merwe’s treble, fullback Theo Sauder and lock Brett Beukeboom both scored two tries each.
Canada’s powerful pack proved too strong for the lighter Kenyans as Kingsley Jones’ side pulled away with six converted second-half tries without reply.
The winner of the four-team repechage tournament – involving Canada, Kenya, plus Germany and Hong Kong, who meet later, goes into Pool B at the 2019 World Cup alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia and Italy.
Canada will next face Germany next Saturday after Hong Kong play Kenya in the second round of matches.
The Canadians held a commanding 27-12 lead at the break as South African-born Glasgow Warriors wing Van der Merwe, 32, scored two first-half tries.
Flyhalf Gordon McRorie, who claimed 13 points with the boot, converted two of Canada’s four tries in the opening 40 minutes as they took advantage of poor tackling.
Kenya got back in contention straight after the break when lock George Nyambua crashed over for a converted try to make it 27-19.
However, the Canadians quickly built a 20-point lead as No. 8 Tyler Ardron crossed, then Sauder touched down for the second of his two converted tries to make it 39-19 with 25 minutes left.
A flurry of Canadian tries followed as the Kenyans tired and Van der Merwe completed his hat-trick by powering over just before the final whistle.
Scorers
For Canada:
Tries: Van der Merwe 3, Sauder 2, Beukeboom 2, Ardron, Evans, Sheppard
Cons: McRorie 7, Sauder
For Kenya:
Tries: Opondo, Nyambua, Owade
Cons: Kinyangi, Oliech
Teams:
Canada: 15 Theo Sauder, 14 Matt Evans, 13 Ben LeSage, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Daniel Tailliferre Hauman van der Merwe, 10 Gordon McRorie, 9 Phil Mack, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Kyle Baillie, 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Brett Beukeboom, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Lucas Rumball, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Ciaran Hearn, 23 Conor Trainor.
Kenya squad: Patrick Ouko, Moses Amusala, Joseph Odero, Hillary Mwanjilwa, Ephraim Oduor, Colman Were, Philip Ikambili, Oliver Mangeni, Wilson Kopondo, Malcolm Onsando, Simon Muniafu, Andrew Omonde, George Nyambua, Dalmus Chituyi, Elkeans Musonye, Joshua Chisanga, Davis Chenge(capt), Martin Owilah, Samson Onsomu, Mohammed Omollo, Sammy Oliech, Darwin Mukidza, Leo Seje Owade, Peter Kilonzo, Collins Injera, Nelson Oyoo, Felix Ayange, William Ambaka, Tony Onyango, William Reeve.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Joy Neville (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com
