Canada, U.S. ‘will hold their own’

Press, 24 November 1986, Page 48

Canada, U.S. ‘will hold their own’

PA Wellington The top Wellington rugby referee, Cliff Dainty, believes the United States and Canadian rugby teams will acquit themselves well during next year’s World Cup. Mr Dainty, aged 37, who has refereed 52 first-class games in New Zealand, returned yesterday after controlling a test between Canada and the American Eagles at Tucson, Arizona, on November 8. Canada won, 27-16, after being level, 12-12, at half-time and trailing, 12-16, after 60 minutes. The Eagles scored three tries to Canada’s two but were often on the back foot because of clever play by Canada’s young first five-eighths, Gareth Reece. “I think these teams will hold their own in the World Cup, specially against the likes of Tonga, Fiji and Japan,” Mr Dainty said.

“The enthusiasm for rugby in the United States and the interest being shown in the World Cup is tremendous. Both teams regarded the Tucson match as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup and the Eagles are now on an internal tour as further build-up for it. “Though Canada and the United States still have some way to go to match the bigger rugbyplaying countries, they aren’t naive and they defend well and use possession wisely. The second phase play was impressive, specially the Americans, who scored two tries from quicklywon ruck ball.”