CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM CLAIM A 19-16 VICTORY OVER THE USA, EARNING THIRD PLACE IN THE PACIFIC NATIONS CUP
September 19, 2026 (Toyko, Japan) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team finish third in the 17th edition of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 with a dramatic 19-16 victory against the USA Saturday evening in Toyko, Japan.
Canada broke through at the 10th minute as veteran Ben LeSage scored the game’s opening try off a lovely lineout set play, which McMullin converted to make it 7-0.
Following an overthrown USA lineout, Cooper Coats broke the line at pace, offloading to Lucas Rumball who found Jesse Kilgour. The ball was moved out wide through Foster DeWitt to Mason Flesch on the wing who scored his third try of the tournament, extending the lead to 12-0.
Capitalizing on a Canadian scrum penalty, USA prop Fakaosifolau Pifeleti slipped through the defense at the 21st minute to get his team on the board and fly half Luke Carty’s conversion narrowed the gap to 12-7.
Carty slotted a penalty kick at the 39th minute to bring the USA within two points at the half, trailing 10-12.
Carty opened the second half at the 43rd minute with a successful penalty kick, giving the USA their first lead of the match at 13-12.
In the 59th minute, Canada reclaimed momentum when Flesch powered inside the 5-meter line, allowing the forwards to drive and move the ball out for Jesse Kilgour to pick and go across the line for his first career try. McMullin slotted the conversion to put Canada back ahead 19-13.
Carty made his third penalty kick of the evening at the 72nd minute to tighten the score to 19-16.
In the final 20 seconds, the USA executed their 9th phase inside Canada’s 5-meter line and opted to go for the win with a scrumafter an offside call against the Canadians.
Canada’s defense held strong under extreme pressure, Lucas Rumball got over the ball in the dying seconds, forcing a crucial error from the Americans to seal the 19-16 victory and secure third place in the Pacific Nations Cup.
“I’m so proud of this team. It wasn’t perfect, but the grit, the determination, the way we stuck together. That’s what got us through in the end,” said captain Lucas Rumball post-match. “We want to be on the attack throughout our matches. You saw a little bit of that come through in that first half, probably a little bit less in the second, but overall happy with the team.”
“The way we showed resilience and continued to believe in our capabilities throughout that match was fantastic for the guys today. A game like this means so much to both teams; the nerves can get the better of you and we probably made more errors in that game than we have in the previous couple,” said Stephen Meehan, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team. “I think it’s important for us to reflect on that and when we can come back together and play again in November, we’ll aim to improve in that area.”
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Ben LeSage (10’), Mason Flesch (17’), Jesse Kilgour (59’)
Conversions: Takoda McMullin (11’, 60’)
CANADIAN MILESTONES
Jesse Kilgour earned his first career try for Canada in the 59thminute of play. Canadian veterans Cooper Coats and captain Lucas Rumball earned their 25th and 70th caps, respectively in the conclusion of today’s match. Rumball is now tied as the fourth most capped player in Canadian Men’s Rugby history.
Mason Flesch was named the Asahi Pacific Nations Cup Player of the Match after a stand-out performance.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS USA
1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (10 caps)
2. Foster DeWitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / PeñarolRugby (8 caps)
3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (11 caps)
4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (5 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (19 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (26 caps)
7. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / PeñarolRugby (7 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (70 caps)
9. Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Barrie RC / Aurora Barbarians (3 caps)
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (25 caps)
11. Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish (3 caps)
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (42 caps)
13. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (5 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (10 caps)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (10 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (18 caps)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (10 caps)
18. Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (3 caps)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (5 caps)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (4 caps)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (5 caps)
22. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (18 caps)
23. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (4 caps)
SUPPORT RUGBY CANADA
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