CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM DEFEAT NAMIBIA 95-6 TO KICK OFF THE WORLD RUGBY U20 CHALLENGER CUP
Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team opened the 2026 World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup in emphatic fashion on Friday afternoon, securing a convincing 95-6 bonus-point victory over Namibia in Santiago, Chile.
Canada wasted little time finding its rhythm, with Briar Barron opening the scoring on the wing before Malin Hazlcrossed for Canada’s second try. Hazl added another shortly after, with a well-weighted grubber from Liam Turnbullsending the winger through to complete his brace.
Canada continued to apply pressure through a combination of strong set-piece play, powerful carries and quick ball movement. A break from a lineout created the opportunity for Rogan Moir to cross for his first try of the tournament, before Cooper Allen powered through multiple defenders to extend Canada’s advantage.
With Namibia reduced to 14 players following a yellow card, Canada continued to capitalize on its opportunities. Porter Gook crossed for his first try of the tournament before Coen Quinn finished off a rolling maul to add another five points.
A break from Quinn off the kickoff sparked a series of offloads, with Barron finishing the move to complete his second try of the afternoon.
Canada headed into halftime with a commanding 52-6 lead.
The second half continued in much the same fashion, with Briar Barron completing his hat-trick before Liam Kinghorn added his first try of the match. A superb offload from Carter Nickless then sent Alistair Yeomans over in the 53rd minute, as Canada continued to extend its lead.
Canada’s backs continued to find space, with Joe Kaufmann sending a perfectly weighted grubber through for Adam Stander to ground and score. Further tries from Eliot Marschall and Ronin Smith continued to push Canada’s advantage deep into the second half.
Kaufmann was also excellent with the boot, finishing with 18 points off the tee, while Canada’s attacking depth was on full display as 12 different players contributed to the scoresheet.
With the final play of the match, Hazl completed his hat-trick, capping an impressive opening performance for Canada and securing the bonus-point victory. Canada are at the top of Pool B after Round 1 of the World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup.
“We were very satisfied with the result against Namibia, said Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen. It was our first outing together as a group, so there were always going to be a few rough edges, but I thought our speed on attack was really good. Seeing 12 different guys get on the scoresheet tells you the ball was moving and the boys were backing each other.
What pleased me most was our defence. When we were tested, we kept working, no matter what the scoreboard said. There were two massive individual efforts to stop them from scoring, and those moments gave the whole group a lot of energy. That’s the kind of attitude we want to build on.
Our next two matches will no doubt be tough. Both Belgium and Portugal are well organized teams, and they played some quality rugby when they faced each other. We’ll need to be sharper at the breakdown and more accurate for longer periods, but the group is excited for the challenge.”
Rugby Canada would like to thank Adera, the Andrew Mahon Foundation and the Canadian Rugby Foundation, via the Men’s Age-Grade Rugby Fund, for their support of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Briar Barron (4’, 40’, 42’), Malin Hazl (13’, 17’, 80’), Rogan Moir (22’), Cooper Allen (25’), Porter Gook (31’), Coen Quinn (38’), Liam Kinghorn (44’), Alistair Yeomans (53’), Adam Stander (58’), Eliot Marschall (62’), Ronin Smith (74’)
Conversions: Joe Kaufmann (14’, 18’, 23’, 26’, 39’, 40’, 45’, 63’, 74’)
UP NEXT FOR CANADA
Canada vs Belgium
Wednesday October 7th
4pm Local / 12pm PT / 3pm ET
Canada vs Portugal
Monday October 12th
1pm Local / 9am PT / 12pm ET
Final Placement Matches
Saturday October 17th
Timings TBD
All matches will be streamed live on Rugby Pass TV
CANADA’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NAMIBIA
1. Jacob Blackwood (Tsawwassen, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside Sharks
2. Porter Gook (Lethbridge, AB) – Westshore RFC / Lethbridge Rugby Club
3. Eric Rutledge (New Waterford, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC
4. Sebastian Poyser (Bishops Stortford, UK) – University of Nottingham / Bishops Stortford
5. Carter Nickless (Kirkland, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
6. Coen Quinn (Ottawa, ON) – Queen’s University / Bytown Blues RFC
7. Eliot Marschall (Sedbergh, UK) – Nottingham University / Toronto Scottish
8. Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) – University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish
9. Rogan Moir (Waterloo, ON) – Waterloo County
10. Joe Kaufmann (Kingston, ON) – Racing 92
11. Malin Hazl (Guelph, ON) – University of Guelph / Guelph Goats RFC
12. Adam Stander (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
13. Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB
14. Briar Barron (Holland Landing, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians
15. Cooper Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans
FINISHERS
16. Ben Koolen (Kingston, ON) – Hartpury University / Gloucester Rugby
17. Alistair Yeomans (Streetsville, ON) – University of Guelph / Brantford Harlequins
18. Ethan Samuels (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
19. Ronin Smith (Calgary, AB) – University of Victoria / East Coast Bays RFC / Calgary Saints RFC
20. Cole Thompson (Toronto, ON) – Babson College / Toronto Scottish
21. Koen Schroeder (Stoney Creek, ON) – Brock University / Burlington Centaurs
22. Luke Prest (Duncan, BC) – Cowichan RFC / Pacific Pride
23. Brek Ball (West Vancouver, BC) – University of Western Ontario