Canada has become the first team to qualify for Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 through the qualification rounds. They defeated North-American rivals the United States of America (USA) in a two-match series to take the Americas 1 qualification spot.
Last weekend, the USA ended a four-year losing streak defeating Canada 12-6, but was not strong enough today to hold off the Canadians who won 41-18 to secure their place at RWC 2011.
Canada will join Pool A, taking on hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and the top Asian qualifier.
"We would like to congratulate Canada on their qualification for RWC 2011. Canada is a proud rugby nation with a passionate supporter base. They have been involved in every Rugby World Cup Tournament to date and will add to the already competitive Pool A," said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.
"We look forward to hosting Canada in 2011 and hope to welcome many Canadian fans as they travel to New Zealand to cheer on their team. We expect to see a lot of maple leafs in the crowd," he added.
Canada are currently ranked 13th in the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Rankings.
Canada has appeared at all Rugby World Cup Tournaments since 1987. Their best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 1991, where they lost to New Zealand 13-29.
Canada will play Tonga on September 14 at the Northland Events Centre in Whangarei. They then take on France at Napier's McLean Park on September 18, then Asia 1 on September 27 again in Napier. In their final pool match, they will face RWC 2011 hosts New Zealand on October 2 at Wellington Regional Stadium.
The Mayor of Napier, Barbara Arnott, was delighted with the news "Hawke's Bay welcomes Canada to our great region as the qualifying Americas 1 team for two pool matches, to be played at McLean Park. We look forward to personally welcoming the team in 2011," she said.
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said: "I'm delighted that another piece has fallen into place for what is shaping up to be a fantastic few weeks of competition in Wellington. Canada is an up-and-coming Rugby nation and the team and their supporters will be assured of a warm welcome and an experience they will never forget in the Capital of the most rugby-mad country on Earth."
These sentiments were shared by Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff who added "Whangarei is delighted to welcome Canada and its supporters to Northland in 2011 for its RWC match against Tonga. This is a wonderful opportunity for the North to introduce the Canadians to our renowned hospitality and culture."
The Asia 1 spot will be decided in May 2010 following the Asian 5 Nations tournament to complete Pool A.
The USA still has a chance to qualify for the Americas 2 qualification spot in August 2009 when they play a two-match series against Uruguay, winners of the South American qualification phase.
Americas 2 will play in Pool C against Australia, Italy, Ireland and Europe 2.
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