Rugby Classic: France, Lions & Canada Win
The 2022 World Rugby Classic came to an end at the National Sports Center North Field with a triple header, with France successfully defending its title in the final match of the night.
France 21 – Argentina 20
France defeated Argentina 21-20 in the final game to reclaim the title. Argentina scored first as Roman Miralles went over for a try, and Juan Cruz Gonzalez kicked the conversion to make it 7 – 0. France was soon level when they were rewarded with a penalty try.
Argentina went back in front 14 – 7 when Lucas Borges over for a try, with Miralles adding the conversion. France closed the gap to 14 – 12 when Benoit Marfaing scored a try, but the Mathieu Amoros conversion attempt was missed.
From here the game saw the kickers take over. Amoros gave France the lead when he kicked a penalty to make it 15 – 14. Gonzalez then put Argentina back in front when he kicked a penalty, making it 17-15 at the break.
Another Amoros penalty early in the second half saw France back in front 18 – 17, but yet again Gonzalez put Argentina back in front when he kicked a penalty, this time making the score 20 – 18.
With only minutes remaining, Amoros kicked a penalty for France to lead 21 – 20, and they held on for the win.
Lions 42 – USA 14
The Lions got two tries from Rhodri McAtee and one from Aled Thomas, who also added all three conversions as they led 21 – 0 at the break.
The Lions then increased their lead when David McGregor scored a try and Thomas added the conversion, but the USA got themselves on the board with a Dre Palin try, with Robbie Reid adding the conversion to make the score 28 – 7.
Lee Purnell added a try for the Lions and Thomas added the conversion to make it 35 – 7, but the USA didn’t give up as Palin scored his second try and Reid added the conversion to make the score 35 – 14. The Lions then scored the final try of the match as Phillipe Reed went over and Thomas added the conversion.
Canada 34 – Italy 17
Canada claimed a 34 – 17 victory over Italy to finish the tournament in third place. Morgan Findlay gave Canada the lead with an early try, but the conversion attempt from Derek Daypuck was missed.
Ramrio Pez kicked a penalty for Italy to make the score 5 – 3. Aaron McLelland scored a try to increase the Canada lead, and Daypuck added the conversion for Canada to lead 12 – 3.
Italy closed the gap as Corey Boyce went over for a try and Pez kicked the conversion to make it 12 – 10. Findlay scored his second try of the night and Daypuck kicked the conversion as Canada led 19 – 10 at the break.
Early in the second half, Daypuck kicked a penalty, followed by a Chris Robinson try, and a Daypuck conversion increased Canada’s lead to 17 with the score 27 – 10.
McLelland scored his second try of the match and Daypuck kicked the conversion to make the score 34 -10, but Italy scored before the end of the match as Roberto Quararoli went over for a try and Pez kicked the conversion to end the match at 34 – 17.
