Japan obtained their 2024 Pacific Nations Cup marketing campaign off to the proper begin with a 55 – 28 win over Canada in Vancouver.
Going through wave-after-wave of assault from the off, Canada discovered themselves in a 14 – 0 gap inside six minutes. Regardless of this Les Rouges confirmed a steely resolve and a few slick abilities to combat their approach again into the competition.
Right here is how the Canadian gamers fared of their first outing of the competitors.
1. Calixto Martinez – 5
Capitalising on his tighthead’s superiority at scrum time, the loosehead pressurised the Japanese entrance row with a number of notable drives by means of the scrum. Within the free, Martinez obtained on the ball with a number of good carries and a strong work price across the ruck in what was a strong 56-minute displaying.
2. Andrew Quattrin – 4
Correct along with his line-out darts and nuggety in his play as he seemed to fight the lightening fast Japanese ruck ball, the hooker was entrance and centre for his staff by means of 56 minutes.
3. Conor Younger – 5
Firmly held up his aspect of the cut price as he took the combat to the Japanese entrance row. Twisting each the beginning and substitute loosehead, Younger received a number of key penalties, which relieved the immense stress his staff was beneath.
Match Abstract 
4. Izzak Kelly – 4
An industrious displaying from the large lock, who made 13 tackles and had 4 carries. Actually not alone within the first half as a participant who missed some noticeable tackles, Kelly and his lock associate Duguid struggled to comprise their counterparts. His efficiency did get pleasure from a noticeable uptick for the twenty-two minutes he was on within the second half.
5. Kaden Duguid – 4
Hitting double digits when it comes to tackles made with 10, the lock went the complete eighty however, as touched on above, simply didn’t have the affect of his reverse quantity.
6. Mason Flesch – 5
Mr reliable at line-out time snagged seven throws as his staff’s go-to man within the air. Basically play, he took on the stereotypical blindside position of getting by means of a ton of the much less glamorous work, making eleven tackles, successful a turnover and making a handful of carries within the shut quarters.
7. Ethan Fryer – 5
Blended issues up with a number of huge hits and an necessary turnover early within the first half, which was step one in Canada’s opening second-half attempt. The teen put in a robust 65-minute displaying to finish his day with 14 tackles, 1 turnover, and 4 carries for an all-in-all strong outing in what was simply his second cap.
8. Lucas Rumball – 7
Very good type on the breakdown noticed him pose a relentless menace to the Japanese ruck; this effort noticed him come away with three key turnovers. Along with his poaching work, the skipper obtained by means of a mountain of labor on each side of the ball. Defensively, he made a whopping 19 tackles. His efforts could be rewarded within the forty sixth minute with a well-taken choose’n’go attempt.
Assault
207m
Publish Contact Metres
398m
9. Jason Higgins – 7
Fast considering and excellent footballing abilities noticed the MLR veteran arrange his staff for his or her opening attempt as he pounced on a free ball. Across the breakdown, his physicality ensured that he obtained the ball away even when his aspect was struggling to maintain their head above water.
10. Peter Nelson – 5
Overcame a brutal first half the place he was clutching at ghosts because the intricate Japanese assault carved open the Canadian defence. Defending within the backfield, he struggled in a number of one-on-one situations, which might frustrate him, given he was typically the final line of defence. In assault, he stayed quick in his dedication to take the ball flat on the line, and this started to pay dividends because the match progressed.
11. Nic Benn – 4
Actually the quietest of the Canadian again three, Benn was discovered wanting on a number of events as he bit infield when he ought to’ve stayed out large. Offensively, he didn’t have many alternatives and appeared much less keen than his wing associate Coe to go on the lookout for work.
12. Talon McMullin – 7
Offered with a lone second in assault, and he struck! Working an ideal exhausting line from a line-out, his energy obtained him by means of the Japanese entrance line of defence earlier than his tempo obtained him over the road. Ending his day with 8 carries for 58 meters and 6 defenders crushed is a snapshot of his top-notch work price all through the competition.
13. Ben LeSage – 5
Canada’s backline chief led the line of defense with a tough press however at occasions discovered himself disconnected as these inside him dropped off tackles. Going ahead, he straightened the road and was a keen choice, however he could be disenchanted along with his knock-on late within the first half whereas his staff was within the ascendancy.
14. Andrew Coe – 7
Electrical tempo ensured he capitalised on Higgins’ fast considering as he outpaced the quilt defence to the touch down. Away from this second of magic, Coe was an ever-present menace for the 68 minutes that he was within the park. Having fully emptied himself, he departed the motion with what seemed to be a cramp.
15. Cooper Coats – 7
Rock strong positioning work ensured he lined the Japanese kicking recreation comfortably and infrequently returned kicks with aplomb. Topping the carry charts with 9 carries for 94 meters and a line break, the hot-stepping fullback was not deterred regardless of being hit again exhausting repeatedly by the Japanese defence.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Dewald Kotze – 5
Bringing his swashbuckling carrying capability to the fray, the hooker upped the ante when it comes to front-row carries for his staff. Carrying 5 occasions for twenty-four meters, the Dallas Jackals standout performed a key position in his staff’s resurgent second half.
17. Djustice Sears-Duru – 4
Not fairly bringing the affect we’re used to seeing, the loosehead struggled to get to the pitch of the match for the primary ten minutes he was on the park.
18. Cole Keith – 4
Recent from the bench and straight into the coal face would show to be a step too far, as he conceded a scrum penalty instantly.
19. James Stockwood – 4
Got here on with slightly below twenty minutes to play and continued the development of the Canadian locks not fairly discovering a option to get on high of their opponents.
20. Matthew Oworu – 4
Got here off the bench with the only intention of being a one man wrecking ball, a plan he by-and-large executed. Displaying glimpses of the dynamism that he delivered to the SVNVS circuit, the backrow seems set to be the proper affect sub for the Canucks.
21. Brock Gallagher – 4
Got here on for the immensely spectacular Talon McMullin and performed his half defensively with out having any splash moments.
22. Mark Balaski – 4
Diving with the guile of a Premier League goalkeeper as he plucked the ball from the air to cease a sure Japanese attempt was a good way to announce his introduction to the match.
23. Takoda McMullin – 7
His first actual little bit of motion was to backpedal 80 meters to disclaim Japan what seemed set to be a sure counterattack attempt. Minutes later he could be again on defensive obligation with a monstrous hit that took the sizzle out of a Japanese assault. Matching his brother’s scoring output with a really world-class end within the ultimate minute of motion confirmed why so many are excited by what the duo can obtain within the crimson shirt over the approaching years.
