Canada will be forced to rebound from their disappointing loss to the RFU Championship XV on short notice as they face Namibia with only four days rest. It marks only the second ever test between the two sides, the only previous meeting also coming on neutral ground in Toulouse at the 1999 World Cup. On that day Canada routed the African nation, scoring more than 70 points, but that side featured a host of all-time greats, the likes of Rod Snow, Al Charron, and of course Gareth Rees. Times have changed. Canada is not at full strength and Namibia are a considerably more competent side these days.
Bolstering the side this week are Jason Marshall, Jebb Sinclair, Jeff Hassler, and D.T.H. van der Merwe. All add much-needed professionalism to a team that fell flat in the second half on Sunday. Marshall replaces Andrew Tiedemann at tighthead after featuring alongside Sean Duke as a reserve for the Barbarians on Tuesday at Leicester. Sinclair finds himself in the second row, with Brett Beukeboom relegated to the bench and Jon Phelan dropping out. Former captain Aaron Carpenter has also joined the squad, but as back row cover in place of Seb Pearson. Carpenter has been playing hooker all season with the Cornish Pirates and is expected to feature in the front row in later matches.
The backs have been shuffled with Patrick Parfrey, Nick Blevins, and James Pritchard all dropping out to make way for Connor Braid, Hassler, and van der Merwe respectively. Ciaran Hearn and Conor Trainor each move in one spot to accomodate Hassler on the wing, while van der Merwe lines up at fullback for the first time since the 2007 World Cup. It’s an exciting backline and one that could conceivably carry through to next year’s tournament, though Taylor Paris and Matt Evans will also be in the mix, and perhaps a couple wildcards like Justin Douglas and Liam Underwood.
Braid should be able to concentrate on his tactical game and his distribution under a bit less pressure, with Gordon McRorie set to handle the goal kicking duties. Pritchard’s radar was off kilter on Sunday and if McRorie proves capable of filling the role at test level, it could spell the beginning of the end for the 35 year old fullback. Uncapped Jordan Wilson-Ross has been preferred on the bench for his versatility and dynamism in attack, and with Pritchard having only one route into the side it’s hard to see him breaking back in.
The Welwitchias will be entering the game on a more confident note after routing Germany a week ago, and doing so with a largely second string side. Talismanic Saracens flanker Jacques Burger returns from a three year test absence to captain the side in a very decent looking back row that also includes big no8 P.J. van Lill of Dax and former Wasps flanker Tinus du Plessis. Free State captain Torsten van Jaarsveld has joined the side ahead of the World Cup, joined also by beanpole Brive lineout specialist Tjiuee Uanivi.
The backs aren’t quite as accomplished, though they do have influential kicker Theuns Kotzé back at flyhalf. Big France-based winger Conrad Marais is out injured, but speedy counter-attackers Danie Dames and Chrysander Botha are both present. Burly loosehead reserve Franklin Bertolini is the lone new name in the side, with experienced Rohan Kitshoff a very useful replacement option on the flank.
This is essentially a must-win match for Canada, and with the narrow gap between games it’s a good barometer for World Cup conditions. Maintaining their fitness and concentration for the full 80 minutes will be priority number one, and if they can do that this is their game to lose. The problem is that Namibia is not a step down in competition this time. They will be out to spoil the party and with Burger and Kotzé leading the way anything can happen. Expect this to be a much closer match than their last engagement, with Canada’s backs finding enough space to put a couple tries in and stretch the lead to around 18 points.
CANADA vs NAMIBIA
Friday, November 7, 19:30 GMT, Colwyn Bay
Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)
Assistants: Neil Paterson (SRU) & Martyn Lewis (WRU)
TMO: n/a
