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
Latest Edmonton News Headlines
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- Edmonton's chief of police has apologized to one of the department's former employees who says the racist behaviour of her boss and colleagues forced her to leave her job. more »
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade
- Trustees from the Edmonton Public School Board will be the honorary marshals at this year's gay pride parade. more »
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- An 18-year-old male died Thursday after he was thrown from his all-terrain vehicle near Hinton. more »
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Around 60 new ambulances will soon be whizzing across the province thanks to a large purchase by Alberta Health Services. more »
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Severe storm in Quebec leaves damage in its wake
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms, and possibly a tornado, rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's butler was arrested earlier in the week in connection with an embarrassing document leaks scandal. more »
- Former MLA questions need for Alberta Party
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade
- Oil spill clean-up underway in northern Alberta
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Edmonton toddler killed by SUV in parking lot
- Hobbema youth dispel stereotypes with photography
- Garlic mustard spreading in Mill Creek Ravine
