Canada qualify for RWC

ByReuters

Published 12/07/2009 at 10:44 GMT

Canada became the first nation to get through the qualifying process and confirm their place at the 2011 World Cup when they beat the United States 41-18 in the second leg of their play-off in Edmonton.

RUGBY 2009 - Canada's Dth Van Der Merwe, right, runs upfield as US defends during World Cup qualifying in Edmonton

Image credit: AP

The win at Ellerslie Rugby Park gave Canada a 47-30 aggregate victory, following the US's 12-6 win in Charleston on July 4, and qualifies them for the World Cup as Americas 1 to join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and the Asian qualifier in Pool A.

Canada have played in every edition of the World Cup but only once, when they lost to New Zealand in the 1991 quarter-finals, have they got past the group stage.

The United States can still qualify but need to beat Uruguay in a home and away playoff to determine the Americas 2 qualifier, who will join Australia, Ireland, Italy and Europe 2 in Pool C.

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