Canada has beaten Portugal 21-13 at Stadio Universitaire in Lisbon - starting its four match tour of Europe in winning style. It was only the second match between the two countries, the first taking place last summer in the lead up to the 2007 World Cup.

Canada got on the board in the first half with a pair of James Pritchard penalties and the men in red were playing the majority of the rugby in Los Lobos end of the pitch.

Portugal responded with a Pedro Leal penalty to pull within three at 6-3.

Then a penalty against Portugal saw Canada kick to the corner and go for the drive from a lineout. Jebb Sinclair went for a big run to within five metres of the Canadian line where he then passed to his right to a trailing Adam Kleeberger who scored the first try of the match and an 11-3 advantage with only a minute to half time.

On the ensuing kick-off debutant fullback for Portugal, Pedro Silva kicked a high ball and chased it - with Morgan Williams bobbling the effort around 40 metres from the Canadian line. Silva timed it perfectly, getting to the ball and was away on clean heels over the Canadian line. With the Leal conversion Canada had only a one point lead 11-10 at half time.

In the second half the Portuguese made changes in the scrum - an area of contention for Canada - who had been driving the Lobos back in the first half encounters. That advantage seemed to dry up and the Portuguese played with fervour, making multiple trips in the Canadian half but coming away frustrated.

Pritchard hit for his third penalty to make it 14-10.

Portugal were pressing with a lineout five metres from the Canadian line - with the ball spreading to the left wing. A well timed Canadian tackle saw the ball go loose with James Pritchard picking it up and racing untouched for 70 metres and a crucial try. After taking a breather - Pritchard calmly slotted the extras for a 21-10 advantage.

Pedro Leal hit for a Portuguese penalty a few minutes later, but could not organize a final drive across the Canadian line - as they needed at least three scores to pull ahead of Canada. With no time left on the clock a Canadian scrum netted Morgan Williams the ball, and he kicked it back on an angle to secure the victory.

Canadian coach Kieran Crowley while satisfied with the win, admitted frustration at the lack of possession and territory in the second half.

“(Portugal) really took it to us in the second half - and we really didn’t have that many opportunties,” he offered. “I think our defense was great - and really kept Portugal out of the game, but we needed the ball more if we wanted to really open the match up - so Portugal did well in that respect.

“I think we need to really focus on the positives - but we need to look at the video and make the adjustments and put in some hard work this week ahead of the Ireland match.”

Pritchard was impressive with many attacking runs, precision kicking and the big try for 15 points. He nearly had two other scores from chip and chases that were a touch too long for the shallow five metre in-goal area at the stadium. He smiled when asked about the near tries.

“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “That in-goal was pretty small. On the first one I was called for a knock-on but the only time I touched the ball was when I touched it down.

“On the second one - I chipped it and thought -’happy days’ but I didn’t see (Estevez) coming through and then he got to it and it was over.”

Pritchard says that while the team struggled in patches he was overall pleased with the work this young team has done in a short amount of time.

“It is so hard to bring so many new guys together and get it going right away,” offered the Bedford Blues player. “so we will come away with some positives from this win, but we know we have some big games ahead of us and a lot of hard work on the paddock this week.”

Coach for the Portuguese Tomaz Morais was ebullient about the effort his young charges put in.

“They did so well, I am very happy, despite the loss, on how we did today,” he said. “We have only ten players that went to the World Cup so lots of young players out there today.”

He says the try by Silva was key to keeping his side’s confidence heading into the half, but the runaway try by Pritchard probably had the opposite affect.

“We are down 14-10 and five metres out - in control, and then boom - Canada takes it the other way - very hard for the players,” he smiled ruefully.

The Portuguese will travel to Ireland on Sunday - as will Canada. Canada takes on Ireland in Limerick in one week, while Los Lobos take on Connacht and Ulster.

Portugal Scoring 13
Tries: Pedro Silva
Conversions: Pedro Leal
Penalties: Pedro Leal (2)
Drop-Goals:
Yellow Card: Juan Severino
Red Card:

Canada Scoring: 21
Tries: Adam Kleeberger, James Pritchard
Conversions: James Pritchard
Penalties: James Pritchard (3)
Drop-Goals:
Yellow Card:
Red Card:

Portugal Selections vs Canada
15. Pedro Silva (0), 14. Aderito Esteves (9), 13. Diogo Mateus (58 caps), 12. David Mateus (24 Caps), 11. Goncalo Foro (9), 10. Pedor Cabrabl (14 Caps), 9. Pedro Leal (26), 8. Vasco Uva (48), 7. Salvador Palha (4 caps), 6. Tiago Girao (13), 5. Juan Severino (16 Caps), 4. David dos Reis (uncapped), 3. Diogo Fialho (2), 2. Joao Corriea (38 Caps), 1. Joao junior (uncapped)

Replacements:
16. Juan Murre (10) prop 17. Duarte Figueriedo (5) hooker 18. Valter Jorge (1) second row 19. Julien Bardi (0) back row 20. Lourenco Kadosh (4) (scrumhalf) 21. Duarte Pinto (34) fly-half 22. Diogo Gama (12) centre

subs

Canada Selection vs Portugal (club/hometown)

15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues (UK)/Sydney, Australia) 14. Phil Mackenzie* (University of Victoria Vikes/Oakville, ON) 13. Bryn Keys (Velox Valhallians/Abbotsford, BC) 12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON) 11. Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON), 10. Ander Monro (Colorno RFC (It), Edinburgh Scotland), 9. Morgan Williams (James Bay Athletic Association/Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) 8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harlequins/Brantford, ON) 7.Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria Vikings/Victoria, BC) 6. Andrew Fagan (Swilers RFC/St.John’s, Newfoundland) 5.Stu Ault (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Port Perry, ON) 4. Tyler Hotson (Vancouver, BC) 3. Mike Pletch (Lucan, ON) 2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria Vikings/Burnaby, BC) 1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, Saskatchewan)

Replacements from:
16. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John’s, Newfoundland) 17.Travis Robertson (Velox Valhallians/Saskatoon SK) 18.Luke Cudmore (Capilano RFC/Squamish, BC) 19.Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Fredericton, New Brunswick) 20. Sean Duke (Vancouver, BC) 21.Sean White (James Bay Athletic Association) 22. Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria Vikings/Richmond, BC)

Subs

Coach: Kieran Crowley
Asst Coach: John Tait
Forwards Coach: Kevin Wirachowski
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tyler Goodale
Managers: Rodger Swany, Des Lynch
Press Officer: Doug Crosse
Massage Therapist: Sandra Bosich
Physiotherapist: Carrie Smith
Team Doctor: Dr. John Ho

Tags: Portugal Rugby, Rugby Canada

Canadian Rugby senior men’s team head coach Kieran Crowley has selected his side to face Portugal on Saturday - the first of a four match tour through Europe.

With fully ten players on the tour without international experience, Crowley and his selectors were able to draw a blended side that is full of
experience, though with a heavy reliance of youth coming off the replacements bench.

The most capped veteran of the side will be scrum-half Morgan Williams, who ends his now one year old retirement from international rugby with a start
against Portugal. The team will be captained by veteran hooker Pat Riordan - and features a forwards unit with one debutant in the starting rotation in
the form of Newfoundland’s Andrew Fagan at flanker.

Full time professional Kevin Tkachuk of the Glasgow Warriors gets the start at loosehead, with Riordan at hook, and Mike Pletch in the tight-head prop
position.

In the second row, Perth, Ontario’s Stu Ault gets his fourth cap, and partners with Hoston who will be getting his second cap for Canada.

The back row features pace from Fagan, who while technically a rookie - has played plenty of rugby leading up to this debut as a 24 year old, and Adam
Kleeberger who wins his 12th cap. At No. 8 is Brantford, Ontario native Aaron Carpenter - a veteran winning his 17th test start.

Morgan Williams will partner with Ander Monro - the Colorno, Italy clubman - who has been instrumental for his side at the fly-half spot. He will be
working directly with Ryan Smith, who will be at the inside centre spot for his 37th cap. Smith will pair with first year man Bryn Keys - who won his
first cap against the USA at the Churchill Cup.

On the wing Dean Van Camp marks his return to test rugby after injury kept him on the sidelines for most of the summer - as he will get his sixth cap.
Working across the pitch from him is sevens speedster Phil Mackenzie - who will be making his debut in the fifteens game at the test level.

Fullback sees the steady defensive ability and sniping speed of Bedford rugby’s James Pritchard, who will have his 21st cap in Canadian colours this
weekend.

From the replacements bench - fresh faces abound as Newfoundland prop frank Walsh and Saskatoon native Travis Roberston will be front row cover - and
will be getting their first caps should they get on the field. Luke Cudmore will be in as second row cover, with Jebb Sinclair (uncapped) can play both
second and back row.

In the back line reserves are two more uncapped players in the form of Sean Duke as a wing replacement option, and scrum-half - 20 year old Sean White.

Nathan Hirayama - also only 20, will cover off at fly-half.

In announcing the team, Crowley spoke of the process and the progress he has seen in this Canadian team over the course of his first year - and even in
the few days of this assembly in Portugal.

“I have seen them really mature over the summer - and for some of the new faces in the team, even over our few days here, as they learn new things and
get to know new teammates,” said Crowley. Earlier in the week he showed confidence in re-calling Morgan Williams from the retirement ranks - saying
, “(Williams) is still very fit and plays every weekend with his club James Bay and when you look at how he played at the World Cup last year it is a
very easy decision to come to.”

While the obvious goal for Saturday’s match is a victory - the team and Crowley reached a consensus on some bench mark goals to try and achieve - a
process that both shows the faith he has in his young team - but also the faith they have in him as a coach. While what exactly they are aiming for
remains an internal target - suffice it to say that players will be playing with some precise goals in mind as individuals and as a team - allowing that
process to roll up into a potentially satisfying result.

Canada plays Portugal 5 PM (GMT) (Noon Eastern, 9 AM Pacific) and currently it appears the game will not be available online for fans live - but on a
delayed basis until Monday night. If suitable internet coverage can be achieved at the stadium there may be an audio feed of the game - but at this
time this seems unlikely.

You can still get all the results including half-time updates from the Rugby Canada website - www.rugbycanada.ca

Canada continues its tour with stops in Ireland (Nov 8th), Cardiff, Wales (Nov 14th), and Aberdeen, Scotland (Nov 22nd).

*
Starting XV vs Portugal (club/hometown)*

15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues (UK)/Sydney, Australia) 14. Phil
Mackenzie* (University of Victoria Vikes/Oakville, ON) 13. Bryn Keys (Velox
Valhallians/Abbotsford, BC) 12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON) 11.
Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON), 10. Ander Monro (Colorno
RFC (It), Edinburgh Scotland), 9. Morgan Williams (James Bay Athletic
Association/Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) 8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford
Harlequins/Brantford, ON) 7.Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria
Vikings/Victoria, BC) 6. Andrew Fagan (Swilers RFC/St.John’s, Newfoundland)
5.Stu Ault (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Port Perry, ON) 4. Tyler Hotson
(Norther Suburbs (Australia)/Vancouver, BC) 3. Mike Pletch (Lucan, ON) 2.
Pat Riordan (University of Victoria Vikings/Burnaby, BC) 1. Kevin Tkachuk
(Glasgow Warriors/Regina, Saskatchewan)

Replacements from:
16. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John’s, Newfoundland) 17.Travis Robertson
(Velox Valhallians/Saskatoon SK) 18.Luke Cudmore (Capilano RFC/Squamish, BC)
19.Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Fredericton, New Brunswick)
20. Sean Duke (University of Victoria/Vancouver, BC) 21.Sean White (James
Bay Athletic Association) 22. Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria
Vikings/Richmond, BC)

Coach: Kieran Crowley
Asst Coach: John Tait
Forwards Coach: Kevin Wirachowski
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tyler Hotson
Managers: Rodger Swany, Des Lynch
Press Officer: Doug Crosse
Massage Therapist: Sandra Bosich
Physiotherapist: Carrie Smith
Team Doctor: Dr. John Ho

Tags: Portugal Rugby, Rugby Canada