When Canada Upset Scotland in Vancouver – Americas Rugby News

Canada pulled-off an upset win over Scotland in the summer of 2002. This result is of note now as the teams prepare to do battle in Ottawa in the summer of 2024. The 2002 win was Canada’s most recent victory over a Tier 1 opponent. It took place in Vancouver with Jared Barker kicking Canada to the win.

Canadian fly half Jared Barker was the match-winner. Barker landed a 76th-minute penalty to set-up a 26-23 victory. It was also Barker who opened the scoring. He did so by landing a penalty from 50 meters out in the third minute.

Scotland’s deadly accurate goal-kicking winger, Chris Paterson responded to Barker’s early score. Paterson punished Canada’s reckless intent of a quick lineout to score in the corner and land the conversion.

The second quarter opened with Phil Murphy scoring for Canada. The N8’s score was converted by Barker who subsequently landed a penalty to give Canada a 13-7 lead.

New Zealander Brendan Laney responded for pulled Scotland. The winger brought to Scotland, from Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders, landed a penalty as the game clock went to 32 minutes.

In his first of 85 caps for Scotland, Mike Blair scored next. The scum-half did so from a lineout. It meant that Scotland held a 15-13 lead at half-time.

Blair was not the only great Scotland player from the 21st century facing Canada that day. Another involved was Simon Taylor. He was the fist to score after halt-time as he crossed down the left from a  pick-and-go. He went on to earn 66 caps for Scotland.

The try meant Scotland were in control but Canada found what they needed to fight back and seal a come-from-behind victory. Prop Jon Thiel  powered through there Scotland defenders to score beside the posts. Barker converted to level the scorers at 23-23 after 67 minutes.

The players had belief and the crowd was electric as Barker landed the late penalty for one of the greatest days in the history of the Canadian Men’s test team.

CANADA
1 Rod Snow, 2 Pat Dunkley, 3 Jon Thiel, 4 Al Charron (capt.), 5 Mike James, 6 Ryan Banks, 7 Dan Baugh, 8 Phil Murphy, 9 Morgan Williams, 10 Jared Barker, 11 Sean Fauth, 12 John Cannon, 13 Nik Witkowski, 14 Fred Asselin, 15 Winston Stanley

Replacements: 16 Harry Toews, 17 Kevin Wirachowski, 18 Ed Knaggs, 19 Colin Yukes, 20 Ed Fairhurst, 21 Bobby Ross, 22 Kyle Nichols

SCOTLAND
1 Mattie Stewart, 2 Gordon Bulloch, 3 Craig Smith, 4 Nathan Hines, 5 Stuart Grimes (capt.), 6 Jason White, 7 Simon Taylor, 8 Jon Petrie, 9 Mike Blair, 10 Duncan Hodge, 11 Chris Paterson, 12 Brendan Laney, 13 Andy Craig, 14 Rory Kerr, 15 Glenn Metalfe

Replacements: 16 Steve Brotherstone, 17 Allan Jacobsen, 18 Graeme Burns, 19 Donnie Macfadyen, 20 Andy Hall, 21 Ben Hinshelwood, 22 Marcus di Rollo

At the time the result was depicted as a warning of what may be set to come for Scotland. There was speculation from important people that Scotland rugby was in terminal decline. Scotland recovered from the loss to defeat the USA in their following North American tour match.