Canadian men headed back to Rugby World Cup, thanks to Japan win

The Canadian men’s rugby team has secured their spot in the upcoming Rugby World Cup after a thrilling Pacific Nations Cup match between Japan and the United States. Japan’s victory over the U.S. means Canada finishes second in Pool B, guaranteeing them a place in the semifinals and a spot in the 2027 tournament in Australia.

With Fiji and Japan already qualified for the World Cup, Canada joins them as one of the three teams from the Pacific Nations Cup to automatically qualify. This is a significant achievement for the Canadian team, especially after missing out on the 2023 World Cup for the first time in history.

The road to qualification was not easy, with Canada facing tough opponents in the Pacific Nations Cup. After defeating the U.S. in their opening match, Canada suffered a close loss to Japan before securing their place in the semifinals.

The Pacific Nations Cup semifinals are set to take place in Denver, with Canada facing Fiji in one match, while Japan takes on Tonga in the other. The U.S. will play Samoa for fifth place, with the fifth-place team also earning a spot in the World Cup.

This qualification marks a successful start for new coach Steve Meehan, who took over the team after the previous coach stepped down. Despite some early losses, Meehan has led the team to a crucial World Cup qualification and will be looking to make an impact in the upcoming tournament.

In addition to the men’s team, the Canadian women’s team is also making waves in the rugby world, currently competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Ranked second in the world, the Canadian women are set to face Australia in the quarterfinals, with hopes of securing a spot in the final stages of the tournament.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Canadian rugby teams as they continue their journey towards World Cup glory.