By Canadian Press

Canada falls to visiting Spain in men’s rugby test

Jul 10, 2022 | 3:41 PM

OTTAWA — Spain cruised to a 57-34 win over Canada in men’s rugby in the first international test match hosted at TD Place.

Coming into the match Canada was ranked 21st in the world and was looking to crack the top-20 for the first time in over five years. The 15th ranked Spaniards gave the Canadians all they could handle right from the start.

The difference on this day was Spain’s ability to execute in the red zone.

Canada, which was coming off a 45-0 win over Belgium last week in Halifax, trailed 40-13 at the half after Spain scored six tries in the first half

Spain added to its lead with a try in the opening minute of the second half.

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The Canadians quickly responded with a push of their own as Lucas Rumball scored for the home team, with Peter Nelson adding the conversion to make it 45-20.

The visitors scored twice more, and then at the 71st-minute Canada was able to swing the ball and go wide ending with Kainoa Lloyd punching in the try. With time winding down Canada scored once more as Jack McRogers scored his first-ever try in his first cap to make it 57-34.

From the opening minutes Canada struggled to contain Spain’s physicality as they took a 7-0 lead just five minutes into the match.

Canada was able to get on the board on a penalty conversion by Peter Nelson to make it 7-3, but the visiting team went on to score back-to-back tries to take a commanding 21-3 lead.

Another penalty conversion by Nelson allowed Canada to make it 21-6.

Down 26-6 fans finally had something to cheer about at the 24th minute as Lindsey Stevens, making his first start after Andrew Quattrin was scratched due to injury, scored his first international try.

Spain would go on to score twice more before the end of the half.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2022.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press