Canada qualifies for 2011 rugby world cup
Routs the United States but has a tough group ahead
Last Updated: Saturday, July 11, 2009 | 4:16 PM MT
CBC Sports
Canada's Matt Evans catches a high kick against Kevin Swiryn during the first game of the two-match, total-point series with the United States earlier this week. (Jose Lagman/Rugby Canada/Canadian Press) Canada's rugby team is off to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
The national side routed the United States 41-18 on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton, clinching a berth in the 20-team tournament.
It won't be an easy go as the Canadians have been placed in Group A with the host All Blacks, plus France, always tough Tonga, and the winner of the Asian qualifying.
Canada's first game is Sept. 14, 2011, in Whangarei against Tonga.
The U.S. beat Canada 12-6 in the first of the two-game, total-point final qualifier earlier this week at Charleston, S.C.
But the second contest turned out to be an easy one for Canada once the series switched to Alberta.
The United States must now play a two-game series against Uruguay to secure a berth in the 2011 tournament.
With files from The Canadian PressShare Tools
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