Playing at times spectacular rugby – it was the rough patches that ultimately undid a solid Canadian effort in the Plate final of the Churchill Cup in suburban Denver on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in front of nearly 4,000 fans.
Canada fell 44-29 to the Argentina Jaguars – finishing the tournament in fourth place – its highest finish in the seven year history of the event.
Argentina Jaguars coach Jose Orengo saluted Benjamin Urdapilleta after the centre turned in a man of the match display in a 44-29 victory over Canada.
The Jaguars took the Plate to claim third place and Orengo said: "Benjamin played very well. He plays No 10 for his club (Club Universitaire Buenos Aires) but here we have put him the No 12 position and with more space he can create a lot of chances."
"It has been a very good experience for this group of players and some of them are going to progress to the Pumas squad. It's a very young team and they have to improve their mentality. We had a very good first 20 minutes but then we let Canada come back at us in the second half."
Urdapilleta said: "It's been a great Churchill Cup and I have really enjoyed it. If you play fly-half you have little space but at centre you can benefit from the space and create more gaps. This tournament has been important because some of these players are going to play for the Pumas in the next World Cup (2011).”
Canada gave away 14 first half points before responding with a superb effort from 21 year old winger Matt Evans – the first of two on the day for him – and the second two try effort in the tournament for the Duncan, BC native.
Canadian Coach Kieran Crowley was clearly downbeat after the match despite a second half comeback by the team that saw DTH van der Merwe score a brace in over the course of five minutes.
“You can’t give away 21 points in the first half – and expect to come away with the win,” said Crowley. “A couple of those were soft tries so that was disappointing.”
Crowley says despite the poor patches in the game the performances by Evans and van der Merwe were a bright spot as they prepare for two matches against the USA in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“We will take those positives but really you have to throw some of that game in the bin and start fresh for the two games against the USA,” said Crowley.
Canada opened the scoring with a James Pritchard penalty kick in the first two minutes before the Jaguars got tries from Argentine Captain Agustin Creevy and wing Francisco Jose Merello to take a 14-3 lead.
Centre Benjamin Urdpilleta then crossed in the 19th minute to stretch the Argentine lead to 21-3 – leaving the Canadians frustrated as the mandatory water break was taken.
Canadian Captain Aaron Carpenter then had a big break into Jaguars territory going thirty metres before offloading to Evans for Canada’s first try to trail 21-8.
Evans got his second try courtesy of a big break from outside centre DTH van der Merwe who pitched the ball to Evans before going into touch leaving the young winger a run of twelve metres to finish off the score. Pritchard converted and Canada’s confidence seemed to be restored heading into the interval down 15-21.
The South Americans responded in the second half with a try from wing Tomas De Vedia – who was constantly in trouble with referee Peter Fitzgibbon for issues off the ball.
Urdapilleta then added a pair of penalties to stretch the lead to 31-15. Then flanker Leonardo Senatore benefitted from a 3 on 1 situation that saw him score on clean heals at the 53 minute mark.
Another penalty kick by Argentina bloomed the scoreline to 41-15.
Canada and Argentina had to deal with a double yellow card right at half time as second row Jebb Sinclair of Canada and prop Pedro Arocena Ledesma were sent packing for a fracas off the ball.
Then, just as the pair were due to return – freshly substituted Canadian flanker Adam Kleeberger was given a yellow for an intentional knock-on – to leave Canada shorthanded at 14 on 15.
In the 64 th minute van der Merwe was providing perfect support in Argentina’s territory – and swiveled through four would be tacklers, finally having to dodge around a pair of English players who were warming up for the following match. Ander Monro converted the score and there were signs of life in the Canadian attack despite a 41-22 score.
In the 70th minute a quick break through the gap by replacement scrum-half Phil Mack saw the wiry player burst for thirty metres before offloading to a trailing van der Merwe who scored under the posts. Van der Merwe then offered up a quick drop-goal for the conversion as he watched the clock ticking away on their comeback attempt. That would be it for the scoring on both sides for the final score of 44-29 – giving Argentina a third place finish and the Plate trophy.
Scoring Argentina: 44 (21) Tries: Agustín Creevy, Francisco José Merello, Benjamín Urdapilleta, Tomás De Vedia, Leonardo Senatore, Conversions: Benjamín Urdapilleta (5) Penalties: Benjamín Urdapilleta (3)
Canada 29 (15) Tries: Matt Evans (2), DTH van der Merwe (2) Conversions: James Pritchard, Ander Monro, DTH van der Merwe Penalty: James Pritchard
Canada 1 Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD) 2 Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London,ON) 3 Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON) 4 Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB) 5 Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC) 6 Stan McKeen (Oxford University/Vancouver, BC) 7 Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK) 8 Aaron Carpenter (capt, Brantford Harlequins/Coventry/Brantford, ON) 9 Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC) 10 Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy) 11 Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Cowichan, BC) 12 Bryn Keys (Moseley RFC/Abbotsford, BC) 13 DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK) 14 Sean Duke (University of Victoria/Vancouver, BC) 15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues)
Replacements 16 Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby, BC) for Mike Pletch 47 mins 17 Doug Wooldridge (Cowichan RFC/Lindsay, ON) for Dan Pletch 58 mins 18 Stuart Ault (Moseley RFC/Perth, ON) 19 Chauncey O'Toole (Castaway Wanderers/Belleisle, NB) for McKeen 62 mins 20 Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC) for Dala 47 mins 21 Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON) for Pritchard 56 mins 22 Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC) for Fairhurst 59 mins Yellow Cards: Jebb Sinclair (40 – 50 mins), Adam Kleeberger (51 – 61 mins)
Staff Coach: Kieran Crowley Assistant Coach: John Tait Skills Coach: Morgan Williams Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tyler Goodale Therapists: Carla Brash, Kim Mark Goldsworthy Manager: Des Lynch Video Analyst: Peter Huigenbos Team Doctor: Dr. Joe Lemoine Communications Manager: Doug Crosse
Argentina Jaguars 1. Juan Figallo (Jockey Club) 2. Agustín Creevy (capt, San Luis) 3. Pedro Arocena Ledesma (Stade Francais) 4. Mariano Sambucetti (Bristol) 5. Carlos José Cáceres (Tucumán Lawn Tennis) 6. Alejandro Tomás Campos (Pueyrredón) 7. Leonardo Senatore (G.E.R.) off for front row sub on yellow card 40:25 8. Tomás Leonardi (S.I.C.) 9. Martin Landajo (C.A.S.I.) 10. Ignacio Mieres (Perpignan) 11. Tomás De Vedia (London Irish) 12. Benjamín Urdapilleta (C.U.B.A.) 13. Matías Viazzo (Bourgoin) 14. Francisco José Merello (Regatas de Bella Vista) 15. Lucas Bernado Barrera Oro (Universitario) Replacements 16. Mauricio Rául Guidone (La Plata R.C.) for Creevy 59 mins 17. Juan Francisco Gomez (Leeds) on for 3 on YC – 40 mins 18. Tomás Roan (La Plata R.C.) 19. Agustín Guzman (Tucumán R.C.) for Senatore 66 mins 20. Francisco Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic) for Landajo 66 mins 21. Horacio Alberto San Martin (Tala R.C.) for Mieres 62 mins 22. Belisario Agulla (Hindu) for Merello 62 mins
Referee Peter Fitzgibbon
2010 Churchill Cup Finals Canada vs England Match Highlights
