'The Match 4' golf odds, prediction for Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers - Sporting News

"The Match" is entering its fourth edition, and this may be the most exciting one since the original Phil Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods matchup of 2018.

This year, Mickelson will pair with Tom Brady, his partner from the second "The Match" competition, and take on one of the best young golfers in the game, Bryson DeChambeau. His sidekick will be Aaron Rodgers, which sets up a second battle of NFL MVPs in "The Match" history (Brady vs. Peyton Manning was the first).

Brady was voted Super Bowl MVP in 2021 while Rodgers was voted NFL regular-season MVP for 2020.

There will be plenty of action and intrigue surrounding these stars, and bettors will surely want to get in on it. There are some solid-looking bets that gamblers can take advantage of — and there will be more to come in as "The Match 4" draws nearer.

Here's a complete betting guide to "The Match 4," including odds, the best prop bets and a prediction for Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers.

Watch 'The Match 4' with fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Betting odds for 'The Match 4'

• Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers (-182)
• Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady (+135)

Unsurprisingly, DeChambeau and Rodgers are favored to win "The Match 4." DeChambeau has been the longest driver off the tee on the PGA Tour and the elevation changes at the Moonlight Basin course in Montana will allow him to use his strength to his advantage. Rodgers is considered to be a better golfer than Brady.

Still, Mickelson won "The Match" head-to-head against Tiger Woods as a heavy underdog, so Mickelson and Brady can't be counted out, especially since DeChambeau's driving accuracy and play around the green are both streaky.

Prop bets for 'The Match 4'

Here's a look at the best prop bets for "The Match 4."

• Hole 1 winner (no tie): DeChambeau-Rodgers (-125) | Mickelson-Brady (-106)
• First to go up 1 up: DeChambeau-Rodgers (-137) | Mickelson-Brady (+105)

These two bets go hand-in-hand. If there's a Hole 1 winner, that means that one team will be 1 up. As such, these are good to pair.

The first hole is a 463-yard par-4 that plays significantly downhill. While DeChambeau has the distance advantage, he could find himself in trouble if he misses with his drive. Mickelson can still hit the ball far — he averages 302.6 yards per drive compared to DeChambeau's 322.4 — and while both are equally inaccurate and rank 186th (DeChambeau) and 189th (Mickelson) in driving accuracy, respectively, Mickelson is more likely to play it safe on the opening hole.

As such, Mickelson and Brady are the better bet to have an early lead. Trusting them at the -106 and +105 odds is appealing.

• Longest tee shot Hole 1: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)
• Longest tee shot Hole 6: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)
• Longest tee shot Hole 8: Bryson DeChambeau (-200) | Phil Mickelson (+140)

DeChambeau averages nearly 20 yards more per drive than Mickelson. Hole 1 is 463 yards, Hole 6 is 633 yards and Hole 8 is 500 yards. DeChambeau will blast his driver as hard as he can to try to shorten these holes.

Could Mickelson outdrive him once in this matchup? Sure, especially if DeChambeau has a mishit. But for the most part, betting against DeChambeau in a driving contest is foolhardy. Trust him as the favorite in these three scenarios.

• Leader after six holes (no tie): DeChambeau-Rodgers (-137) | Mickelson-Brady (+105)

As mentioned, the sixth hole is 633 yards and is the second-longest on the course. After that hole, DeChambeau and Rodgers should have a lead given that DeChambeau will have an easier time shortening the course than Mickelson. He's worth trusting in this scenario, even if we are a bit worried about how he and Rodgers might fare on the first hole.

Phil Mickelson vs. Bryson DeChambeau

Mickelson has been up and down of late. He won the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island course in May but followed that up by shooting 11 over and missing the cut at the U.S. Open. That said, Mickelson made the cut in four of his last five events entering this week's Rocket Mortgage Classic.

DeChambeau has been a bit more consistent than Mickelson. He hasn't missed a cut in his last 10 events and has finished in the top 10 in three of those tournaments. He's a big-time driver, but his lack of accuracy off the tee and his up-and-down approach game gets him into trouble.

DeChambeau, 27, is seen as a better golfer than Mickelson, 51, at this point in their careers. DeChambeau ranks fifth overall in the Official World Golf Ranking while Mickelson checks in at 31st. That explains why DeChambeau's odds to win The Open Championship (20-1) are far better than those of Mickelson (66-1).

DeChambeau has the head-to-head edge over Mickelson for "The Match," and his case is helped by the fact that his amateur partner probably has the edge on his competition as well.

Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers

Brady might be the greatest quarterback of all time, and he and the Buccaneers were able to beat Rodgers and the Packers twice last year — the second time in the NFC championship game — en route to a seventh Super Bowl title for Brady.

But Rodgers has Brady beat in golf. His best handicap is 3.5 while Brady's is roughly 8.1. Rodgers believes Brady is better than that, however.

"I don’t think Brady’s an 8. I've played with him, and he’s good," Rodgers said in an interview with Golf Magazine. "I’ve played with all of those guys. Tony [Romo]’s a great player. Matt [Ryan] and I — I’ve beat him a couple of times, he’s beat me a couple of times."

Rodgers has golfed competitively more than Brady, especially of late. Rodgers finished tied for ninth in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2020. He worked with Max Homa to earn the top-10 finish.

Brady has golfed with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, but his only edge over Rodgers is that he has participated in "The Match" along with Mickelson before. Thus the edge here goes to the 37-year-old Rodgers over the 43-year-old Brady.

Prediction for 'The Match 4'

It's hard to pick against Brady and Mickelson. They are all-time winners in their respective sports and have experience playing together in "The Match."

But this course plays to DeChambeau's strength. It's long, but it's also 7,500 feet above sea level, so he will be able to shorten it a good bit. And Rodgers, as mentioned, is a solid golfer in his own right.

Mickelson has won this event as an underdog twice, so "The Match 4" should be competitive. But expect DeChambeau and Rodgers to come out on top.

Winners: Bryson DeChambeau & Aaron Rodgers

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'The Match 4' golf odds, prediction for Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau-Aaron Rodgers - Sporting News
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Lightning Round: Time to play the match-up game - Raw Charge

Through the first two games, Coach Jon Cooper has been able to control the match-ups for the most part as he’s had the ability to make the last change. That control will shift to Montreal’s bench for the next two games and it will be interesting to see how they handle that responsibility.

Will they roll the Phillip Danault/Brandan Gallagher/Artturi Lehkonen line against the Lightning’s top line - the Brayden Point line - in hopes of shutting them down? If they do that will that give Yanni Gourde’s line (who had been matching up against the Danault line in Tampa) free reign to bump up their offense a little more? Or will they find themselves against the Nick Suzuki line and try to tie up the young guns on Montreal’s team?

The good news for the Lightning is that Coach Cooper has options and he doesn’t have to worry about it too much. No matter how Montreal plays the match-ups, at least one of the Lightning lines will have an advantage. Shut down the Point line and the Anthony Cirelli or Gourde lines will have an advantageous match. Swap the Danault line to the Stamkos line and who is going to cover the Point line?

If Cooper goes to an 11/7 rotations (assuming Alex Killorn is still out) now he has the opportunity to pick and chose where he sprinkles in his top-six forwards on doubleshifts. The tactical moves will be fun to watch over the next two games.

Lightning Links

The Lightning find a way

Matt breaks down Game Two. They weren’t at their best, but they pulled out the win (thanks to Vasy). That’s what championship teams do.

Vasy is in a league of his own

He’s been the difference in this series so far and the reason the Lightning are up 2-0.

Lightning trades pay off

It feels like we read a lot of these stories last season when the Bolts were running their way through the playoffs on their way to a Stanley Cup. I guess when you don’t change your roster that much, things have to be repeated.

How Brayden Point came to dominate the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Just a reminder that he didn’t receive a single vote for the Hart Trophy this season. Yes, it’s a regular season award, but he’s doing the same thing he did in the regular season.

Hockey Highlights:

Traaaaaaaadddeee

While Montreal and Tampa Bay battle it out for the Cup other teams are putting their 2021-22 rosters together. Nashville sent forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Kings in exchange for a second round (2021) pick and a third round (2022) pick.

Filip Forsberg - not a fan of the trade.

Andre Tourigny named head coach of Arizona Coyotes

The rumors of this hiring came out a few days ago, but became official on Thursday as Tourigny gets his shot at running a NHL team from behind the bench. This was a position that Benoit Groulx reportedly interviewed for earlier this year and there was some talk that he might join Tourigny as an assistant coach. If that happens, it will probably be announced after the Stanley Cup Final.

Tom Dundon is sole owner of the Hurricanes

Dundon has been the majority owner of the ‘Canes since 2018. He has since purchased the remaining minority shares and runs the show all by himself now. For the first time since 1994, Peter Karmanos, Jr. doesn’t own any shares at all in the franchise he moved from Hartford.

Montreal to host outdoor viewing parties

Since only 3,500 fans will be allowed inside Bell Centre, the city announced they will host outdoor viewing parties in the city’s entertainment district.

A wrap up of the NWHL draft

Taylor Girard went first to the Connecticut Whale. After recording 69 points in 105 NCAA teams (split between Quinnipiac and Lindenwood University) she will bring some offensive creativity to a team that desperately needs it.

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Match Analysis: York United 2-2 Pacific FC – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League

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Final Score: York United 2-2 Pacific FC
Goalscorers: Diyaeddine Abzi (32′), Josh Heard (51′), Chrisnovic N’Sa (Own Goal – 67′), Jordan Wilson (82′)
Game of the 2021 season: 7
CPL match: 142

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Match in a minute or less

A back and forth affair where both sides owned leads at IG Field, a 2-2 draw felt a fair result for both clubs as a late Jordan Wilson header saw a single point go to both teams. Pacific dictated much of the play from a possession standpoint but the Nine Stripes showed a physical intensity from the off to limit the Tridents’ attack from finding any consistent flow. As has been the norm for York in recent memory, set pieces have been a strength of theirs and thanks to some defensive resilience, Jimmy Brennan’s group earned their first point of the 2021 season.

Three Observations

York’s physicality slows Pacific attack

Many of the headlines from Pacific’s opening 2-0 victory over the Wanderers were based on the fluency of their attack — for proof of the firepower, look no further than Marco Bustos’ opening goal.

Clearly York and Jimmy Brennan were tuned in for their oppositions opener as the tactical fouls to disrupt the flow of the Tridents attacking core started with the opening whistle. Although Abzi had to play with some caution after receiving a yellow just two minutes in, his hard foul on Bustos seemed to set the tone for the first half as they allowed the opposition to move the ball about, save for the defensive third.

In a game where both teams managed to score twice, their were few clear cut opportunities from open play. Pacific managed just one shot on target (their second tally courtesy of an own goal), while York finished with six shots against Callum Irving despite boasting just 36% of possession.

Add in the rate in which Brennan’s team have been able to capitalize on set piece chances dating back to last year’s Island Games (more on that later) and the stop-start nature feels much more like a tactical design by the Nine Stripes than a coincidental heated contest, a point Pacific’s Josh Heard acknowledged post game.

“All credit to York, they brought a physicality and to be fair we were quite physical as well,” Heard told reporters post match. “But I think maybe we could do a little bit better job of matching that.”

Pacific swap tactics to free Chung

One of the key storylines going into this match was the potential battle between Kadin Chung and Diyaeddine Abzi out wide and how it could prove decisive for either side.

Ultimately, Pa-Modou Kah opted to play Chung on the left to free him from Abzi on the opposite flank. It was the neutral viewer who came out on top as both teams pushed their fullbacks high building out the back, making for plenty of quick transitions at both ends. Abzi brushed off an early booking to make his mark on the left side for York, applying the finishing touch on their opening goal. Chung marauded up and down his less natural left wing to give Pacific width throughout the night.

Despite Abzi’s finish, Kah was adamant post game that his squad had the sort of depth to give Chung the freedom on the other side while still providing appropriate cover for the dangerous Abzi on the other side of the pitch: “We have a squad that we can rely on because every player we put in we can rely on to do a goob job.”

With plenty of firepower up front in their next match against Forge —including 2019 MVP Tristan Borges — it will be interesting to see how Kah deploys Chung to get the most out of him going forward while also limiting the damage of the Hammers from wide areas on Sunday.

Death, taxes, York set pieces

Open play hasn’t been a strength of York’s in recent memory and yet goals have still been coming relatively steadily dating back to 2020. Leading up to this match, Nine Stripes coach Jimmy Brennan suggested their was no shame in earning their rewards largely through set pieces: “If you’re not getting fouled, you’re getting those opportunities on goal; you’re getting into those areas because your momentum is carrying you forward.”

The inevitable came once late in the game once again on Wednesday evening as Wilson headed following a post corner scramble in the Pacific box to take their first point of the season. Abzi, the opening scorer in this match, also found the back of the net from a freekick last time out against Cavalry FC on Sunday in what turned out to be a 2-1 loss.

Referees tend to blow the whistle and show more cautions when a precedent for physicality is established from the off. If York can continue to use their set piece proficiency to their advantage, don’t expect the early challenges to slow down anytime soon.

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Josh Heard, Pacific FC

Staking his claim for a brace in the post match media availability, Heard was essential nonetheless in the two goals, scoring the first one while playing a dangerous ball into the area before a York touch saw the ball into the net for an own goal. The Pacific winger posed a constant threat on the night, drawing four fouls while adding three shot attempts in what was ultimately a decisive attacking display for his side.

What’s next?

Both sides are back at IG Field on Sunday as part of a doubleheader with Pacific FC taking on Forge FC in the ComeOn! Match of the Week (7 pm ET/6 pm CT) before York United faces FC Edmonton in the final game of the weekend (10 pm ET/9 pm CT). Watch all games live on OneSoccer.

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Canadian matchday 23 for Wales rugby test match includes seven uncapped players - BradfordToday

Canada rugby coach Kingsley Jones has named four uncapped players in his starting 15 against Wales on Saturday, with another three ready to make their debut off the bench.

Eight of the 15 starters are 24 or younger. Jones calls it "possibly one of the youngest Canadian teams ever."

"And that's exciting. That's needed," he said. "Right now we're at the early stages but over the next few years this group will grow and I think they'll become a force. So we're excited to see the start of that really, and be part of it."

Uncapped scrum half Ross Braude, centre Quinn Ngawati, fullback Cooper Coats and No. 8 Siaki Vikilani all make the starting lineup. Prop Tyler Rowland, lock Donald Carson and flanker Michael Smith are in line for their first cap among the replacements. The 22-year-old Ngawati spent time with rugby league's Toronto Wolfpack before returning to rugby union.

The test match at Principality Stadium in Cardiff is the first for the 23rd-ranked Canadian men since Oct. 8, 2019, when Canada lost 66-7 to eventual champion South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Wales has 15 tests under its belt since the World Cup.

After Wales, Canada plays No. 3 England at Twickenham on July 10.

"We're here to play. We're excited to get the opportunity to plays Wales and, of course, England," said Jones, a former Wales captain. "I think for us, it's all about the preparation for September and the Rugby World Cup qualification games. They're critical games.

"We haven't been together since the World Cup. So for us to get this opportunity (is) a huge challenge. But we're here to find out a lot about the players and about ourselves working together. So that's really exciting, particularly with a young group."

The Canadian starting 15 goes into the match with a combined 206 caps, with props Djustice Sears-Duru and Jake Ilinicki accounting for 90 of those.

The Wales starting 15, which features uncapped lock Ben Carter and wing Tom Rogers, has a combined caps total of 414. There are three uncapped players among the Welsh replacements.

The Welsh side is missing 10 players who are on tour in South Africa with the British and Irish Lions. But coach Wayne Pivac can count on fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who wins his 96th cap for Wales and 100th in all tests including Lions play, and centre Jonathan Davies, who earns his 89th cap.

The front row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis comes into the game with a combined 104 caps.

Twelve of the 15 Canadian starters play in Major League Rugby, with five from the Toronto Arrows. Only fly half Peter Nelson (Mont de Mason, France), Coats (Canada sevens program) and Kainoa Lloyd (Rugby Canada's national development academy) play outside the MLR.

The Canadian men open their World Cup qualifying campaign against the 16th-ranked U.S. Eagles on Sept. 4 in St. John's, N.L., with the return match set for Sept. 11 south of the border.

The winner will face the winner of the SAR 3 Nations tournament (featuring either Brazil or Paraguay, Chile or Colombia, and Uruguay) to see who qualifies as American 1 in Pool A alongside New Zealand, host France, Italy and Africa 1 at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The U.S.-Canada loser will face the South American tournament runner-up to determine who becomes Americas 2, joining England, Japan, Argentina and Oceania 1 in Pool D in France.

The loser of that series has one last chance to qualify via a repechage tournament. The repechage winner will play in Pool C with Wales, Australia, Fiji and Europe 1.

Canada will host its end of the second-round qualifier Oct. 2 in Langford, B.C. 

Canada 

Djustice Sears-Duru, Andrew Quattrin, Jake Ilnicki, Conor Keys, Josh Larsen, Reegan O’Gorman, Lucas Rumball (captain), Siaki Vikilani, Ross Braude, Peter Nelson, Kainoa Lloyd, Quinn Ngawati, Ben LeSage (vice-captain), Cole Davis, Cooper Coats.

Replacements 

Eric Howard, Cole Keith, Tyler Rowland, Donald Carson, Michael Smith, Lucas Albornoz, William Percillier, Robbie Povey.

Wales

Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands, Ross Moriarty, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies, Uilisi Halaholo, Jonah Holmes, Leigh Halfpenny.

Replacements

Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Josh Turnbull, Taine Basham, Kieran Hardy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins.

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Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2021.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

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River Lions no match for well-balanced Bandits scoring attack - StCatharinesStandard.ca

The Niagara River Lions went south in the standings after going west on the map.

Momentum from a 25-point victory in their season opener wasn’t enough to carry the Canadian Elite Basketball League team over the Rocky Mountains, let alone past the Fraser Valley Bandits Tuesday night in Abbotsford, B.C.

They never led and trailed their hosts by as many as 32 points, falling to 1-1 after the 104-81 setback heading into a Friday matchup against the defending champion Edmonton Stingers (1-0), also on the road.

“It was a classic situation of the guys thought we were pretty good because of the way the Ottawa game went, regardless of how much I warned that this is an energy league,” general manager-head coach Victor Raso said in an interview from Edmonton. “The team with a chip on its shoulder usually wins.

“I guess they had to see it first-hand, and that team punched us in the mouth.

After topping the Ottawa BlackJacks 103-78 on the road in their season opener, the River Lions spent all night playing catchup against the Bandits.

“It was the first time that someone really took us out of our actions and tried to prevent us from really running our stuff,” Raso said. “It was a very eye-opening moment for all of us in terms of how we run our stuff.

“It was the first time we played against a team that really wanted to go to their strengths and we allowed them to instead of making them go where we wanted them to go.”

Midway into the third quarter, the River Lions started playing “really hard” and matching Fraser Valley’s energy.

“We never got there offensively, but we started playing really hard defensively,” Raso said. “The guys realized the things I had been talking about before the game and things that were in the scout package were real.

“They just needed to dig in and do them, and it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Despite the loss to Fraser Valley and so-so execution in the win in Ottawa, Raso is pleased to open the season with a four-game road trip.

“As much as it sucks to lose, we’re all here together for a week,” he said. “We have two more games on this trip and then we have 10 games after this trip.

“This is a really good opportunity to take your lumps, learn from them.”

Niagara had a practice Thursday and another one before Friday night’s game, as well as film sessions on both days.

“So there is a lot of time to correct our mistakes as a group.”

On Monday, the Lower Mainland was in the grips of a historic heatwave when the River Lions landed in Abbotsford, a city of 140,000 about 70 kilometres east of Vancouver.

“It was the hottest weather I’ve ever seen in my life,” Raso, 30, recalled with a chuckle. “It was crazy.”

They also had to recalibrate their internal clocks to the three-hour time difference.

“They say for every hour, you should have a day to adjust, but we had to play 24 hours after we landed,” Raso said.

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Xavier Sneed, one of three players from the United States on the Niagara roster, led all players with 35 points. Daniel Mullings, with 14, and Jaylen Babb-Harrison, 11, also scored in double digits for the River Lions.

But it was Fraser Valley that was more balanced on offence in the battle of undefeated teams. Starters Merek Klassen, 21; Kenny Manigault, Jamal Reynolds, 15 apiece; Malcolm Duvivier and Brandon Gilbeck, 10 each, enjoyed double-digit nights, as did Alex Campbell and one-time River Lions Ryan Ejim with 14 and 10 points, respectively, from the bench.

Niagara was out-rebounded 44-29 and outscored 32-15 in fast-break points and 19-9 in points off turnovers.

As was the case when the River Lions outscored — though not necessarily outplayed — the BlackJacks in the first-ever CEBL game played in Ottawa, Niagara was unable to implement its game plan on the court.

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“We have to execute better. We had a game plan that fit exactly what these guys did, and we just didn’t execute,” Raso said. “This league is all about energy, teams who play harder win games.

“That team beat us until midway through the third quarter when our energy matched theirs and then it was a bit of a game from there on in.”

Fraser Valley has started the 14-game regular season 2-0 despite returning only Duvivier and Klassen from a team that advanced to the final at the 2020 Summer Series championship tournament at Meridan Centre in St. Catharines.

“One of the most important parts of being a professional basketball player is you have to move into a new team and gel right away,” said Klassen, 29, of Vancouver. “What this team does exceptionally well is we make each other better.

“We’re physical, we have an incredible shot-blocker and rim protection, we have a lot of really good pieces here it’s just a matter of working together to understand the referees, the system, and the way this league is going to work.”

The River Lions close out their only swing through Western Canada this year with a 3 p.m. EST tipoff Sunday against the Saskatchewan Rattlers in Saskatoon. They open the home half of the schedule 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, in a rematch with Fraser Valley.

Spectators for indoor sporting events are not permitted under Step 2 of the Ontario government’s reopening plan.

However, all CEBL games are available for livestreaming on CEBL+, as well on cbcsports.ca, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

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Canadian matchday 23 for Wales rugby test match includes seven uncapped players - Toronto Star

Canada rugby coach Kingsley Jones has named four uncapped players in his starting 15 against Wales on Saturday, with another three ready to make their debut off the bench.

Eight of the 15 starters are 24 or younger. Jones calls it “possibly one of the youngest Canadian teams ever.”

“And that’s exciting. That’s needed,” he said. “Right now we’re at the early stages but over the next few years this group will grow and I think they’ll become a force. So we’re excited to see the start of that really, and be part of it.”

Uncapped scrum half Ross Braude, centre Quinn Ngawati, fullback Cooper Coats and No. 8 Siaki Vikilani all make the starting lineup. Prop Tyler Rowland, lock Donald Carson and flanker Michael Smith are in line for their first cap among the replacements. The 22-year-old Ngawati spent time with rugby league’s Toronto Wolfpack before returning to rugby union.

The test match at Principality Stadium in Cardiff is the first for the 23rd-ranked Canadian men since Oct. 8, 2019, when Canada lost 66-7 to eventual champion South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Wales has 15 tests under its belt since the World Cup.

After Wales, Canada plays No. 3 England at Twickenham on July 10.

“We’re here to play. We’re excited to get the opportunity to plays Wales and, of course, England,” said Jones, a former Wales captain. “I think for us, it’s all about the preparation for September and the Rugby World Cup qualification games. They’re critical games.

“We haven’t been together since the World Cup. So for us to get this opportunity (is) a huge challenge. But we’re here to find out a lot about the players and about ourselves working together. So that’s really exciting, particularly with a young group.”

The Canadian starting 15 goes into the match with a combined 206 caps, with props Djustice Sears-Duru and Jake Ilinicki accounting for 90 of those.

The Wales starting 15, which features uncapped lock Ben Carter and wing Tom Rogers, has a combined caps total of 414. There are three uncapped players among the Welsh replacements.

The Welsh side is missing 10 players who are on tour in South Africa with the British and Irish Lions. But coach Wayne Pivac can count on fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who wins his 96th cap for Wales and 100th in all tests including Lions play, and centre Jonathan Davies, who earns his 89th cap.

The front row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis comes into the game with a combined 104 caps.

Twelve of the 15 Canadian starters play in Major League Rugby, with five from the Toronto Arrows. Only fly half Peter Nelson (Mont de Mason, France), Coats (Canada sevens program) and Kainoa Lloyd (Rugby Canada’s national development academy) play outside the MLR.

The Canadian men open their World Cup qualifying campaign against the 16th-ranked U.S. Eagles on Sept. 4 in St. John’s, N.L., with the return match set for Sept. 11 south of the border.

The winner will face the winner of the SAR 3 Nations tournament (featuring either Brazil or Paraguay, Chile or Colombia, and Uruguay) to see who qualifies as American 1 in Pool A alongside New Zealand, host France, Italy and Africa 1 at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The U.S.-Canada loser will face the South American tournament runner-up to determine who becomes Americas 2, joining England, Japan, Argentina and Oceania 1 in Pool D in France.

The loser of that series has one last chance to qualify via a repechage tournament. The repechage winner will play in Pool C with Wales, Australia, Fiji and Europe 1.

Canada will host its end of the second-round qualifier Oct. 2 in Langford, B.C.

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Canada

Djustice Sears-Duru, Andrew Quattrin, Jake Ilnicki, Conor Keys, Josh Larsen, Reegan O’Gorman, Lucas Rumball (captain), Siaki Vikilani, Ross Braude, Peter Nelson, Kainoa Lloyd, Quinn Ngawati, Ben LeSage (vice-captain), Cole Davis, Cooper Coats.

Replacements

Eric Howard, Cole Keith, Tyler Rowland, Donald Carson, Michael Smith, Lucas Albornoz, William Percillier, Robbie Povey.

Wales

Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands, Ross Moriarty, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies, Uilisi Halaholo, Jonah Holmes, Leigh Halfpenny.

Replacements

Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Josh Turnbull, Taine Basham, Kieran Hardy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins.

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Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2021.

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Canadian matchday 23 for Wales rugby test match includes seven uncapped players - Toronto Star
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FC Edmonton coach sees Canada Day match against Forge FC as chance ‘to grow’ - Global News

Both FC Edmonton and Forge FC will be battling for their first win of the Canadian Premier League season when the soccer teams face one another on Canada Day — but the two sides are in different circumstances.

Forge FC is the defending CPL champion while the Eddies are trying to regroup after finishing last season — which was an abbreviated one because of the COVID-19 pandemic — without a win.

“Forge are a beast in this league,” FC Edmonton coach Alan Koch told reporters on Wednesday. “Their depth is almost second to none.”

Koch noted that after losing their season opener 2-0 to Valour FC on Sunday, Forge FC may be even more difficult to play as they are now “a wounded beast.”

“(But) we’re not intimidated by anybody,” he said. “We don’t fear anybody.

“The desired outcome on Thursday night is to continue to grow.”

READ MORE: FC Edmonton names its coaching staff for 2021 season 

Koch was brought in as the Eddies’ new coach in the off-season. He said even though his players lost Saturday’s season opener 1-0 to Atlético Ottawa, he was pleased with their effort and performance.

“You can see already we’re an attacking threat,” he said. “We didn’t score, but we were dangerous.”

READ MORE: New FC Edmonton coach excited for team’s CPL season kickoff 

Koch noted that with most of his players never having played a match together, let alone with him as coach, the disappointment of losing the first game of the season was tempered somewhat.

“We knew we’d run up against a brick wall eventually, and we did, particularly against a team like Ottawa that’s been in Europe and been playing games,” he said. “Our group grew when we went through all the different training mechanisms we had to go through.

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“(Thursday’s match against Forge FC) is an opportunity for us to grow (and) figure out who we are.”

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Despite emphasizing the importance of gelling together as a team, Koch was clear that he and his players still “want to win every game.”

READ MORE: FC Edmonton leaves PEI after going winless in CPL’s Island Games 

“We’re not shying away from that… (but) we have to stay true to where we’re going,” he explained. “We started at the bottom and we have a steep hill to climb.

“We want to be protagonists (and) we want to play with energy.

“As difficult right now as it is to lay the initial bricks… we need to play the way we know is going to set us up for success in the long term… We’re going to chip away at it.”

Because of uncertainty about restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all CPL teams are playing matches at IG Field in Winnipeg for at least the start of the season. The league hopes to have all teams play in their home markets later in the season in front of their hometown fans.

FC Edmonton players to wear orange on Canada Day

For their opening match of the season, FC Edmonton players donned orange jerseys that featured the slogan “every child matters” in an effort to raise awareness about the ongoing impact that Canada’s residential school system has today.

On Wednesday night, a spokesperson for the club confirmed the team will be wearing the orange jerseys again on Canada Day.

“In place of celebration, we choose to use this day to acknowledge the harm done to the Indigenous community,” a statement from the club read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the many souls lost to residential schools, along with their families, friends and survivors.

“As a club, we vow to continue to use our collective voice to advocate, make time to stay informed and provide support.”

© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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