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Saturday, July 18, 2026 (Winnipeg, Manitoba) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team defeats Zimbabwe 23-19 in the final match of the July window of the World Rugby Nations Cup and finishes the tour with a 1-1-1 record to kick off their 2026 season.
DEFENSIVE GRIDLOCK SETS THE TONE
The match opened with both sides trading offensive opportunities. At the 7-minute mark, Canada found their first real spark with Noah Flesch charging up the left wing. Just five minutes later, Zimbabwe threatened to open the scoring with a clever chip from their centre Kudzai Mashawi, but the Canadian defence held the ball up to deny the try.
In the 22-minute, Jason Higgins launched a threatening kick that Cooper Coats nearly grounded, only for Zimbabwe’s scrumhalf to make a try-saving catch.
Six minutes later, Canada capitalized on a dominant scrum and a subsequent Zimbabwe penalty for diving into the ruck. Opting to kick for points from about 7 meters inside Zimbabwe’s half, Peter Nelson nailed the penalty to put Canada up 3-0.
Fast forward to the 33-minute where a dangerous bouncing kick from Coats would result a in a Zimbabwe penalty, Canada opted to get back on the board with another penalty kick. Nelson notched his second, extending the lead to 6-0.
Immediately following the penalty kick, lightning forced a 30-minute match delay at the 33-minute mark.
Canada returned to the pitch with a burst of energy. In the final moments of the half, Noah Flesch ignited the attack with a massive skip pass across the backs. As Canada charged down the pitch, they forced a penalty just 3 meters from the Zimbabwe line. Nelson executed a quick tap-and-go before launching a perfectly placed cross-field kick. Mason Flesch gathered it in the corner to score Canada's first try of the match. Nelson’s conversion sent Canada into the locker room with a comfortable 13-0 advantage.
NELSON’S KICKING PROWESS ON DISPLAY
In the 53-minute, Canada finally got a chance to get on the board after lots of back-and-forth play in the mid-field. Standing just a meter into their own half, Canada opted for a long-range penalty kick. Peter Nelson split the uprights once again, extending the lead to a dominant 16-0.
Zimbabwe didn’t back down and began mounting pressure deep in Canadian territory. Three minutes later, Zimbabwe opted for a lineout and a driving maul which pushed Liam Larkan over the line. After a formal TMO review, the referee awarded the try. With the conversion, Zimbabwe cut the deficit to nine points with Ian Prior converting to trail 7-16.
Following a Zimbabwe turnover a minute later, Izzak Kelly scooped up a loose ball in the 57-minute. With Lucas Rumball driving him forward toward the line, Kelly managed a brilliant offload to Calixto Martinez, who dived across for his first career try and Canada’s second of the match. Nelson maintained his perfect kicking record to stretch Canada’s lead to 23-7.
Following the score, Lucas Rumball was forced off the pitch with an injury, bringing Cody Nhanala into the match.
Securing possession from a lineout, Zimbabwe charged down the pitch in the 70-minute and right into Canada's doorstep, where Cleopas Kundiona dove across the line. Ian Prior added the conversion to close the gap to 23-14.
Nearing the 80-minute, Zimbabwe unleashed sequence after sequence, inching closer to Canada’s try line in the final moments of the match. The Canadian wall held strong for over a minute under immense pressure, but Zimbabwe finally found space, zipping the ball out to the right wing for Dion Khumalo to score, marking the final points of the match.
WORDS FROM HEAD COACH STEPHEN MEEHAN
“The way we played in the 7 minutes after the lightning strikes really won us the game. The team managed that period off the field well and when we came back on, the players were ready to go so I was happy to see that.
It’s a lovely bit of history for the men’s side to be back playing here for the first time in 33 years. To come here and win and against Zimbabwe—in our first international against them, in a place where there’s so many supporters is special. Winnipeg clearly has passion, interest and drive for the game and we’re delighted to be here. This has been a great week, and this win caps it off.”
CANADIAN MILESTONES
Calixto Martinez earned his 15th cap and scored his first career try. Jason Higgins earned his 30th cap.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Mason Flesch (41'), Calixto Martinez (58')
Conversions: Peter Nelson (42', 58')
Penalty Kicks: Peter Nelson (28', 33', 53')
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS ZIMBABWE
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC (14 caps)
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) - Aurora Barbarians / US Carcassonne (31 caps)
3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) - Belleisle Rovers RFC / Doncaster Knights (46 caps)
4. Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen (36 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (15 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) - Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (22 caps)
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) - Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (18 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) - Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (66 caps)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) - Cork Constitution (29 caps)
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) - Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (22 caps)
11. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Peñarol Rugby (13 caps)
12. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (1 cap)
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) - Hamilton Old Boys (16 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC (6 caps)
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) - Dungannon RFC (37 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Foster DeWitt (Courtenay, BC) - Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (6 caps)
17. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) - Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (6 caps)
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) - Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (7 caps)
19. Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (1 cap)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (1 cap)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) - Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (2 caps)
22. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (2 caps)
23. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (1 cap)