Canada's Men's Rugby Team Accepts Test Loss to Belgium with Optimism

Despite the usual disappointment that accompanies a loss, the Canadian men's rugby team approached their 25-18 defeat against Belgium with a perspective full of hope. Playing at Clarke Stadium, Canada held a slight lead of 13-12 at halftime, but fell victim to a well-executed counterattack by Belgium, compounded by some costly errors during key moments.

The Canadian lineup, featuring younger players including fullback Brenden Black and substitute Kyle Tremblay making their test debuts, showed promise as they scored three tries in total. Josiah Morra and hooker Andrew Quattrin were among the scorers, while Halifax native Cooper Coats also contributed with a first-half penalty kick. Belgium, ranked just above Canada at No. 23 in the World Rugby Rankings, capitalized on their few chances, managing to score three tries along with two late penalties from player Hugo de Francq.

Piers Von Dadelszen, who was named Teck Player of the Match, expressed excitement about the new coaching setup and pointed out areas for improvement, noting Belgium’s effectiveness on the counterattack. Canada's scoring started early with a penalty from Coats, followed by a converted try for Belgium from Florian Remue, who was assisted by his brother Matias. Morra later scored in the 22nd minute, only for Belgium to respond quickly with their own try soon after.

Quattrin's effort extending from a rolling maul enabled Canada to lead at halftime, but the game swung back and forth in the second half. Even after Belgium received a yellow card, Canada was unable to capitalize as they allowed the visitors to regain control. Despite some penalties that allowed Belgium to extend their lead, Canada fought back and finished strong with a final try by Siôn Parry.

Team captain, Lucas Rumball, expressed the team's bittersweet emotions after the match, acknowledging the opportunities they created but emphasizing Belgium's ability to capitalize on mistakes. He noted the team’s potential and their commitment to improving in future matches, thanking the fans for their support. This contest marks Belgium's first win over Canada in four encounters and the first time they have scored against Canada since 2021. Looking ahead, Canada is set to face Spain in their next match at Clarke Stadium on July 18.