BY THE NUMBERS: CANADA'S MEN'S RUGBY TEAM VERSUS URUGUAY

We do the math on why this weekend’s World Cup Qualifier is so important.

On Saturday January 27th, Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will face off against Uruguay at BC Place in one of the most important matches in Canada’s recent sporting history. 

The first of a two leg affair, on the line is a spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, alongside the small matter of national pride. 

The much-anticipated matchup will undoubtedly be one of the biggest sporting events to grace Van City this year. So to give you an idea of its importance, we thought we’d do the math and look at some of the numbers that make this Canada vs. Uruguay matchup such a big deal. 

15

15 players will take the field for each team during this weekend’s crucial World Cup Qualifier. Canada will pick their red and white warriors from a squad of 35, a group of the best rugby players the country has to offer. The team, which is coached by Welshman Kingsley Jones, will be comprised of Canadians from around the globe; with members of the squad plying their trade professionally in leagues as far afield as France, England, and Australia. 

21 

Canada’s Rugby Union team is currently placed 21st in the world, sandwiched in-between Spain and Hong Kong in the sport’s current rankings. 

18

Uruguay, Canada’s opponents on Saturday night, are currently ranked 18th in the world. An illustrious rugby nation in their own right; the team, who are known as the Los Teros, have a taste for World Cup qualification after participating at the 2015 tournament in England. 

28

Is the number of tries scored to date by flying winger D. T. H. van der Merwe, the all time record for a Canadian player. With his raw power and pace, the opportunity to see the try-scoring machine in person is worth the admission fee alone this Saturday. 

13-17

Is the score from the last time these two teams met, with Canada narrowly losing against their upcoming opponents at the Estadio Domingo Burgueno in Maldano. The red and white will return to Uruguay for the second leg of this all-important play off on February 3rd, and will know that they have to make the most of their home field advantage before making the trip to South America. 

10

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team has faced off against Uruguay on 10 separate occasions dating back to 1995. The good news for fans of the red and white is that they have only lost to Saturday night’s opponents on two of those occasions.  

8 

Winger Taylor Paris showcased his try-scoring ability in 2017, touching down for eight tries in only six test matches. Let’s hope that 2018 brings similar numbers for the in-form star. 

0

Team Canada hasn’t failed to qualify for a World Cup since entering the international stage back in 1932. As a result there’s added importance to this weekend’s matchup, and with a nation’s pride on the line we need Vancouver to come out and cheer the boys on at BC Place. 

29,480

Is the number of fans who took in Canada’s last match in Vancouver in November, 2017. Facing off against the Maori All Blacks, BC Place was awash with red and white that night and Team Canada are calling on the home town fans to bring the noise again for this weekend’s crunch clash against Uruguay. 

14

Tickets for the match against Uruguay start at just $14, that’s cheaper than a pitcher of beer! It’s also one of the most affordable sporting events taking place at BC Place all year, giving you and your family the chance to cheer on Team Canada without breaking the bank. 

1

With this clash shaping up to be one of the biggest evenings in recent Canadian sporting history, there’s only one place to be on Saturday night! Gates open at 4 pm  with the action getting underway at 5 pm. See you there!  

So what are you waiting for? Get your squad together, don your red and white, and show your national pride at BC Place this Saturday, January 27th. Tickets are available online (http://events.rugbycanada.ca/canada_uruguay/index.html ) from as little as $14.