TORONTO — After blanking Chile 56-0 for its first win of the Americas Rugby Championship, Canada has reached the business end of the competition with games against Argentina XV and the U.S.
The two teams have won a combined five of six games while Canada is 1-2-0.
First up are the Argentines, who meet the 21st-ranked Canadian men Friday at Westhills Stadium in Langford, B.C.
The game is not considered a test match because Argentina is fielding a developmental team rather that its top side, which is ranked 10th in the world. Still, the South Americans are 3-0-0 after dispatching No. 26 Brazil 54-3, the 13th-ranked U.S. 45-14 and No. 17 Uruguay 35-10.
"They're smart. They've got a lot of good players, good individuals and well-coached," Canada coach Kingsley Jones said of the Argentines. "They'll be a big challenge ... It's a high-level team."
Jones expects the full Argentina side to make some noise at the World Cup later this year in Japan.
"If I was a betting man — I'm not allowed to, of course — I fancy Argentina to surprise a few people in the World Cup," he said.
Canada, which is missing most of its top overseas pros, lost 20-17 in Uruguay and 18-10 in Brazil before thumping Chile last Friday in Langford. Wingers Andrew Coe and Kainoa Lloyd combined for five tries against Chile.
Another plus is the fact that Canada has not conceded a try in the last two games,
The Argentina side had a long trip to the West Coast, arriving at 1 a.m. earlier in the week.
"The hardest thing in this competition is the travel, there's no doubt about it," said Jones. "To travel 28 hours in a competition on a plane is madness, really. They just travelled Chile-Toronto-Victoria ... It's a tough one.
"If it was you and (you're) coming here for a weekend for a wedding, we'd be tired ... Let's see how Argentina travel. Certainly it will give us a small advantage. It's not going to win us the game, that's for sure."
Jones has made three changes to his starting roster.
Benoit Piffero slots into hooker while Conor Keys comes in at lock. Veteran Gordon McRorie starts at fly half over Pat Parfrey. McRorie is fourth all-time on Canada's points scoring table with 265 test points.
New Zealand-based hooker Jordan Olsen, who qualifies for Canada through his Winnipeg-based family, could make his debut off the bench at hooker. Forward Josh Larsen returns after scoring a try last weekend for Austin Elite against San Diego in Major League Rugby play.
Veteran scrum half Phil Mack has returned to the Canada camp from the Seattle Seawolves but will not see action Friday as Jones elects to go with Jamie Mackenzie backed up by Will Percillier.
Canada wraps up tournament play March 8 in Seattle against the U.S.
Canada Roster
Hubert Buydens, NOLA Gold (MLR), Saskatoon; Benoit Piffero, Blagnac Sporting Club (France), Montreal; Cole Keith, Toronto Arrows (MLR), Sussex, N.B.; Conor Keys, Rotherham Titans; Stittsville, Ont.; Kyle Baillie, NOLA Gold (MLR), Summerside, P.E.I.; Justin Blanchet, Bedford Blues (England), Montreal; Lucas Rumball (capt.), Toronto Arrows (MLR), Mississauga, Ont.; Dustin Dobravsky, Castaway Wanderers, Hanover, Germany; Jamie Mackenzie, Toronto Arrows (MLR), Oakville, Ont.; Gordon McRorie, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Kainoa Lloyd, Toronto Arrows (MLR), Mississauga, Ont.; Ciaran Hearn, London Irish (England), Conception Bay South, N.L.; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Andrew Coe, Markham Irish, Toronto; Theo Sauder, Toronto Arrows, Vancouver.
Replacements
Jordan Olsen, Northland (New Zealand), Whangarei, New Zealand; Noah Barker, Glendale Raptors (MLR), Courtenay, B.C.; Ryan Kotlewski, Westshore RFC, Calgary; Josh Larsen, Austin Elite (MLR), Parksville, B.C.; Nakai Penny, Seattle Seawolves, Penticton, B.C.; Will Percillier, Stade Francais (France), Mill Bay, B.C.; Pat Parfrey, unattached, St. John's, N.L.; Doug Fraser, Austin Elite (MLR), Ladysmith, B.C.
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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
