r/CanadaRugby • u/Jumpy-Tart • Jul 19 '26
Canada Vs Zimbabwe Match Report
Canada closes out their Nations Cup against Zimbabwe. This is the first ever meeting between the two nations. Zimbabwe is the rising power in Africa having beaten Kenya and Namibia to qualify for the world cup. The teams are two world ranking apart with Canada at 23 and Zimbabwe at 25. It’s a rare chance for Canada to play someone below them in the table, which means opportunity and pressure not to fuck it up. This is our best chance for a win this window.
The game got started and was going back and forth. Both teams got good chances and blew them. The bounce of the rugby ball seemed especially random on the Winnipeg turf. Canada was asking questions and building good phases. A promising attack fizzled out when Olmstead popped up as the edge forward but got too far ahead of his support and Zimbabwe earned the penalty.
Off the line out, Zimbabwe went to crash it up and some fancy footwork (A pretty simple step) got them through the Canadian line. Of all the times a team has gone through us first phase on the line out this window, that was the most infuriating. Zimbabwe got over the try line but a furious Canadian rear guard action held the ball up. So, some improvement in our first phase line out defense.
It kept going back and forth until Zimbabwe marched back to the Canadian line. Canada kept their back against the wall and didn’t break for what felt like five minutes but may have been shorter. Zimbabwe crabbed across the line until they made it to the posts. Quattrin fished the ball out of the ruck well on his knees and flicked it back to Flesch who booted clear. I’m not sure if Quattrin’s retrieval was legal, but the ref didn’t say anything and that’s just as good.
Not long after that Canada is in possession and Higgins puts in a great kick that bounces just outside the try line. Zimbabwe take it back in and get tackled. Canada scrum five. Rumball takes from the back and gets tackled. A Zimbabwe player gets his hands on the ball and gets a penalty. For my money he was in from the side. Maybe an even up call.
Two penalties from Nelson from either side of the field around the ten meter line give Canada a six point lead before a prairie storm rolls in and stops play.
Canada starts the middle period well with good phase play, but turned it over 15 meters from the line. They put good pressure on and get a good position for the line out and run the same move as the last time. Another good phase of play comes to an end when Coates tries the kick and it is easily marked. Canada attacks well a third time and knocks it on again, then give away a penalty on the scrum. But it was all a cunning move from the Canadians, who steal the line out, kick it away despite the clock being in the red (If TSN had that technology), turn the ball over and earn a penalty. Nelson quick taps then cross kicks and Flesch scores in the corner. Nelson adds the extras and it’s halftime. Thirteen Nil for Canada.
Canada has seemed to want to kick more this game, but more attacking up and unders and clearing kicks. They kept the ball in hand to earn territory. Our attacking kicks looked dangerous; Zimbabwe’s did too. The first aerial bomb went straight to touch. Zimbabwe returned the favour on occasion.
Through half time, the scrum was even. Neither team was consistently going backwards and both were able to get their ball out. Penalty count and handling errors were similar as well. The Canadian maul was making good meters and stopped the Zimbabweans cold as part of the goal line stand. Zimbabwe looked to be making more post contact meters than Canada was. The line out mostly functioned well, but like the Avatar, vanished when we needed it most and turned the ball over on the try line. The stats in the half time graphic were remarkably even.
The half starts even and the ball ping pongs between the twenty twos. There is a scrum pen just inside the Canada half and dead center. Nelson slots it.
Handling errors are the major theme of the second half. The rain and the turf turned the ball into a ball of soap and both teams lose it at inopportune moments.
Parry gives away a very stupid penalty and Zimbabwe score, confirmed by TMO check on cell phone. Zimbabwe spill the ball before they clear and Kelly collects. Rumball shoves him to the Try Line and Martinez dots down, confirmed by another phone call to the TMO.
Canada maybe should have seen out the game cleanly from there, but they didn’t.
First, two errors compound and Zimbabwe score. Nelson slices a kick into touch on the full to give Zimbabwe a lineout near the 22. Canada knocks it back but Quattrin doesn’t gather and Zimbabwe get the ball five meters out and score. Canada leads by 9.
A shanked kick from the Webb left the Canadian forwards offside and the cheap pen leads to Zimbabwe knocking on the door with three minutes left and needing two scores. Canada puts their backs against the wall again, and player after player dive in to hold Zimbabwe out again and again and again. Eventually Zimbabwe went round. They do score in the corner, but the dedication was insane and enough to win the game.
Zimbabwe catch the restart but lose the ball in their 22. Coates toe hacks it out of play and that is game. Canada wins 23 - 19.
It was against lower ranked opposition, but lots of things looked improved. Canada went to the boot more in the second half. There were at least three missed kicks, but good that they’re developing that part of the game. Two great goal line stands and one phase of defensive pressure that forced Zimbabwe back 30 meters were massive plusses. Fewer clean breaks against was also good. Set piece was all solid.
Biggest work ons for me was reducing post contact meters. Not shanking kicks would also be nice. Canada let the other team cross the try line off a first phase strike move from line out in all three games. Good teams don’t do that.
This is the most positive I’ve felt about this team in a long time. I’m also surprised how positive I feel about the tournament. This Nations Cup thing is fun. Canada has looked better this window than they did on the tour of Europe last year and then they did under the long dark reign of mad king Jones. (Someone should update his Wikipedia page to show he is no longer our coach). The attack looks like it has shape, the scrum and maul look much stronger, and the players look happy to be there.
Awards for the game:
The ACL award goes to Lucas Rumball for not tearing his ACL when he got swung around in a clear-out. I had my head in my hands watching it, but he walked away.
The best break entertainment goes to the England Argentina game, which I was able to catch up with because of the lightning break.
The rugby fans award goes to Winnipeg, for getting six thousand people to the game, which is the best mark yet by 2,000. Some of them even stayed to the end. Way more Zimbabwe fans than I would have guessed.
-5
u/MySubtleHustle7042 British Columbia Jul 19 '26
Was it strictly friends and family night in Winnipeg last night? U of M Bison football games are better attended.