It comes as little surprise that the tournament finale has turned out to be a de facto winner-take-all championship game. Surely the tournament organizers had hoped it would but one can never take results for granted when things such as injuries and the randomness of selection are injected into the mix. Still there was a feeling of inevitability about this game, and as eager fans we have not been disappointed.
Some of the future stars of Canadian rugby have begun to emerge, and chief among them is captain Tyler Ardron, who starts his third successive game in eight days at his preferred position of number eight. He is joined in the back row by Zac Coughlan, who has yet to really make his mark thus far, and Chris Long, who makes his first flank appearance for his country of origin. The tight five remains unchanged from Tuesday except for the return of test loosehead Hubert Buydens in place of Creag Johnston, who provides very capable cover from the bench.
The backs have changed little with each game but the big news is that Sean White will attempt to shake off a thumb fracture and will start at scrumhalf. Coach Kieran Crowley will be keeping his fingers crossed that he should not damage himself further, as Canada’s scrumhalf stocks are thin at the moment and there is an important tour yet to undertake in November. Despite playing well on Tuesday Jordan Wilson-Ross finds himself back on the bench with young Josh Hart returning to the wing, while Connor Braid and Liam Underwood swap spots again with the former reprising his role as flyhalf and director at large.
Argentina were given an unexpectedly stern test on Tuesday, and perhaps will feel better for it but for the loss of their star hooker Bruno Postiglioni to a knee injury. Martin Garcia Veiga will deputise instead in one of three changes to the pack that faced the United States in game one. Lisandro Ahualli’s fine form is rewarded with the number eight jersey, while Cesar Fruttero is given the start at lock to allow Matias Alemanno a chance to make an impact from the bench.
Inspirational captain Tomas Cubelli will be a danger man from scrumhalf, while his halfback partner Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias returns to handle the tactical kicking from flyhalf. Powerful winger Manuel Montero looms ominously on the left wing as the mazy running of Ramiro Moyano threatens from fullback. The Argentine backs have shown quick hands and a willingness to play with width through the past two games and if Canada fails to cut them off early it could spell trouble.
With seventeen out of thirty starting players already capped at senior level, and with tournament bragging rights on the line, this match should start to approach test intensity, and it is these types of games that coaches find out what their players are made of. For some, this will thrust them into full international contention; for others, the harsh realisation that they aren’t quite up to it. Both teams can already take much from their efforts, but in the end it’s hard to look past Argentina as the team to take just a little bit more. The edge in experience, the threats out wide, and their staunch defense will seal a well-earned victory in the feature game of the tournament. The Jaguars take it by 10.
CANADA
Liam Underwood; Josh Hart, Nick Blevins, Patrick Parfrey, Clayton Meeres; Connor Braid, Sean White; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Doug Wooldridge; Aaron Flagg, Jon Phelan; Chris Long, Zac Coughlan, Tyler Ardron (capt.). RES: Owen Parfrey, Creag Johnston, Jacob Rumball, Seb Pearson, Alistair Clark, Kyle Armstrong, Patrick Kay, Jordan Wilson-Ross.
ARGENTINA
Ramiro Moyano; Matias Masera, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Orlando, Manuel Montero; Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Tomas Cubelli (capt.); Francisco Piccanini, Martin Garcia Veiga, Juan Gomez; Cesar Fruttero, Felipe Aranguren; Tomas de la Vega, Rodrigo Bruno, Lisandro Ahualli. RES: Ignacio Saenz, Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Alejandro Campos, Marcos Bollini, Javier Rojas, Roman Miralles.
