Test Rugby: Wales Begin Tour

30.05.2009
Canada v Wales in Toronto

Venue: York University Stadium, Toronto

Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Preview
Against Ireland last week the Canadians played well for the first 60 minutes and then let Ireland through. Up to that point the game was even. The Canadians will be looking to play a full 80 minutes and win the game.

The Welsh begin their North American tour with a team that has a mixture of experience and youth. Two new caps are in the starting line up with Daniel Evans and Jonathan Davies starting in the backline. Mitchell, Warburton and Spratt may well get their first caps from the bench. With players like Dwane Peel and Ian Gough on the bench Wales will have plenty of options during the match.

Previous Encounters
14.11.2008 Wales 34-13 in Cardiff
09.09.2007 Wales 42-17 in Nantes (World Cup, Pool B)
17.11.2006 Wales 61-26 in Cardiff
11.06.2005 Wales 60-3 in Toronto
12.10.2003 Wales 41-10 in Melbourne (World Cup, Pool D)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Wales 6th, Canada 19th

Prediction: A tough game but Welsh fitness will tell in the end. Wales by 13 points.

Teams

Canada
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC, England) Age 28, 25 tests
14. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers) 22, 4
13. DTH van der Merwe (James Bay AA) 23, 7
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish) 29, 40
11. Sean Duke (University of Victoria) 21, 1
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy) 27, 12
9. Edward Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates, England) 30, 41
8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harelquins) 25, 21
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria) 25, 16
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 5
5. Luke Tait (Stade Montois, France) 27, 15
4. Michael Burak (Cornish Pirates, England) 28, 18
3. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria) 20, New Cap
2. Patrick Riordan (University of Victoria) 29, 21
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) 32, 44
Replacements:
16. Michael Pletch (Velox Valhallians) 26, 18
17. Douglas Wooldridge (Cowichan) 23, 1
18. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens) 24, 6
19. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers) 24, 4
20. Matthew Evans (Hartpury College, England) 21, 3
21. David Spicer (University of Victoria) 24, 18
22. Phillip Mack (James Bay AA) 23, 1
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley

Wales
15 Daniel Evans (Llanelly Scarlets) 20, New Cap
14 Thomas James (Cardiff Blues) 21, 3
13 Jonathan Davies (Llanelly Scarlets) 20, New Cap
12 Andrew Bishop (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 23, 4
11 Christopher Czekaj (Cardiff Blues) 22, 6
10 Daniel Biggar (Neath Swansea Ospreys) Aged 19, 1 test
9 Gareth Cooper (Gloucester, England) 29, 40
8 Ryan Jones, Capt. (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 28, 30
7 Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues) 26, 6
6 Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets) 28, 38
5 Deiniol Jones (Cardiff Blues) 30, 5
4 Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues) 21, 2
3 John Yapp (Cardiff Blues) 25, 12
2 Richard Hibbard (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 25, 7
1 Duncan Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 30, 52
Replacements
16 Gareth Williams (Cardiff Blues) 28, 5
17 Craig Mitchell (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 22, New Cap
18 Ian Gough (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 32, 59
19 Samuel Warburton (Cardiff Blues) 20, New Cap
20 Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks, England) 27, 67
21 Nicholas Robinson (Cardiff Blues) 26, 12
22 Jonathan Spratt (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 22, New Cap
Head Coach: Robin McBryde (caretaker)