42-42: Spain ties with Canada in its debut in the Nations Cup
Spain tied (42-42) with Canada in its debut in the Rugby Nations Cup, in a match played at Clarke Stadium, in the Canadian city of Edmonton and dominated by the visiting team for the most part.
According to the Spanish Federation (RFER), the Americans’ equalizer came in the last play of the match with time already expired.
The national team, coached by the Argentine Pablo Bouza, He entered the game in the best possible way since after three minutes, Alberto Carmona culminated a great kick to follow Gonzalo López-Bontempo to sign the first test of the match. The Canadian response came shortly after, tying the score, but the Lions did not give up and struck again in the 12th minute through Antonio Suarez.
The first half was a constant exchange of blows. Canada tied again after an action close to the Spanish goal area, but Spain found the advantage again thanks to a great break of Cyan through the center of the local defense. The Spanish player fixed the defense and doubled the ball for Tani Baywho posed between the sticks for 14-21.
Canada, however, knew how to take advantage of every opportunity. Through penalty kicks and their ability to get closer to the Spanish end zone, the local team managed to tie the match just before half-time with a try from Mason Flesch which left the score at 21-21, according to the same source.
The second half started with an action almost identical to the third Spanish try. Again Martiniano Cian broke through the center of the Canadian defense and again found Tani Baywho took advantage of his speed to pose under the sticks. The transformation of López-Bontempo It made it 21-28 and returned the advantage to Spain, although Canada responded immediately to tie the score again.
Technical sheet
42.- Canada: Barker, Quattrin, Kotze, Baillie, Keith, Heaton, Higgins, Ardron, Coats, Nelson, Tramblay, Lesage, Jones, Hickey and Flesch. Also playing: Cole Keith, Davis, Gallagher, McMullin, Miller, Emery, Bird and Isaac Kelly.
42.- Spain: Zabala, Suárez, Boronat, Ovejero, Minguillon, Bay, Martín Alonso. Wessell Bell, Cian, López-Bontempo, Varmona, Coto, Domínguez, Aurrekoetcea, and Bay. Also playing: Pirlet, Manteca, Ariceta, Álvaro García, Urraza, Futeu, Mateu and Tabarot.
Referee: Tomas Bertazza, from Argentina.
Incidents: First match of the Nations Cup, played at Clarke Stadium, in Edmonton (Canada).
Spain had more continuity in the game and generated better sensations, but Canada He managed to advance with punishing blows and did damage again from the forward phases. In the 55th minute, a new touch maul action allowed the hosts to take the lead for the first time in the match (35-28).
The Lions knew how to suffer in the following minutes and did not let the game get away from them.
After a phase with less rhythm and fewer clear arrivals, Spain They found the tie in the 69th minute with a new try born from the forward work. The final stretch seemed to smile on the team when, in the 78th minute, a great play born from a touch ended with a break by John Wessel Bell through the center and an offload for Kerman Aurrekoetxeawho posed under sticks.
López-Bontempo He kept his full goal with his foot and made it 35-42.
With time already up, Canada found the prize it had been looking for throughout the match. The local wing broke two tackles on the left side and the Canadian attack managed to move the ball to the right flank to complete the tying try. The subsequent transformation closed the final 42-42.
