Canada and Tonga opened their Pacific Nations Cup campaigns with impressive wins, boosting hopes of direct qualification for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Canada 34, USA 20
Tyler Ardron returned to action in style, scoring four tries as Canada swept to a 34-20 victory over the United States in Calgary. The former captain, who has hinted this season could be his last, produced a first-half hat-trick and then added a fourth after the break to help Stephen Meehan secure his first win in his third test as head coach.
Ardron struck early, barging over from close range in the third minute. The second try came from a moment of creative vision as full-back Peter Nelson delivered an inch-perfect crossfield kick from a quickly taken penalty, allowing Ardron to touch down. Ardron’s third arrived five minutes before halftime, a well-timed pick-and-go from the back of a ruck. His late-fourth sealed Canada’s advantage as the hosts began to pull away in the second half.
Canada dominated the set piece and structured play, with Evan Olmstead, a former Agen teammate of Ardron, also prominent at the forefront of the Canadian effort. Yet the USA fought back at times, with AJ MacGinty driving their offense and Rufus Maclean crossing in the corner to keep the game in reach as the teams traded blows to reach a 20-20 stalemate with about 30 minutes remaining.
Momentum swung when Ardron notched his fourth and Peter Nelson raced to touch down after a hacked clearance, extending Canada’s lead. MacGinty was then sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, a moment that helped Canada tighten their grip late on as the clock wound down.
USA head coach Scott Lawrence reflected on the result, noting that discipline in the lineout and territory play were crucial and will be focus areas going forward. Canada will travel to Sendai to face Japan next weekend, while the United States have a week to regroup before meeting Eddie Jones’s Brave Blossoms in Sacramento on September 6, ahead of a six-team finals stage in Denver.
Tonga 30, Samoa 16
In their own opener, Ikale Tahi Tonga dominated Manu Samoa from the outset, racing into a 17-0 lead on home soil at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa and never letting go of the initiative. Tonga’s strong start and direct game plan left Samoa with no easy answers as the home side built a commanding advantage.
Captain Ben Tameifuna praised the warm welcome from the home crowd and stressed the significance of starting the campaign with a win as Tonga eye a World Cup berth. The victory keeps Tonga buoyant in their bid to qualify directly for Rugby World Cup 2027, with a trip to Suva to face Fiji on the horizon.
Samoa, meanwhile, look ahead to hosting Fiji in Rotorua a week later, as the Pacific Nations Cup continues to unfold with high-stakes matchups across the region.
What this means and what to watch next
– The Pacific Nations Cup remains a key pathway to the 2027 World Cup, and these opening results give Canada and Tonga early momentum in their pools.
– Canada’s attacking spark, anchored by Ardron’s return, signals a strong start under Meehan, while Tonga’s finishing power and the strength of their pack add to a hopeful outlook for their campaign.
– The tournament continues with Canada vs Japan in Sendai and the USA vs Japan clash in Sacramento, followed by the Denver finals weekend, where the top teams will contest semi-finals and fifth-place playoffs.
Summary and outlook
Canada’s 34-20 win over the United States showcased Ardron’s impact in his return and highlighted Canada’s tactical discipline and set-piece strength. Tonga’s confident 30-16 victory over Samoa demonstrated their intent and readiness to challenge for a direct World Cup route. Both teams head into their next fixtures with optimism, aiming to build on these starts as the Pacific Nations Cup moves toward its knockout phase and the broader goal of securing a place at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
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