Canada has become the first nation to emerge through the global qualifying process and confirm its place at Rugby World Cup 2011, following a 41-18 victory over USA in the second leg of their play-off in Edmonton on Saturday.
The win at Ellerslie Rugby Park gives Canada a 47-30 aggregate victory, following USA’s 12-6 win in Charleston on July 4, and qualifies them for RWC 2011 as Americas 1 to join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and the Asian qualifier in Pool A.
USA must now regroup to face Uruguay in a home and away play-off to determine the Americas 2 qualifier, who will join Australia, Ireland, Italy and Europe 2 in Pool C. The loser of this tie will have another chance to qualify through the cross-continental final place play-off in 2010.
