Canada beat Germany 29-10 to come within a log point of winning the repechage tournament and qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
The bonus-point victory puts Canada on top of the repechage standings on 10 points, above Hong Kong, who they face next weekend. The Canadians need just one point from that Test to qualify for Pool B, which will include the All Blacks, Springboks, Italy and Namibia.
Hong Kong need a bonus-point win over Canada, while also denying them a bonus point, to qualify.
The Test in Marseille was a tight one, with Canada taking a 10-0 lead thanks to a try from Lucas Rumball and penalty from flyhalf Gordon McRorie. However, a South African-loaded Germany outfit hit back when replacement hooker Dasch Barber went over just before half-time to make it 10-7.
The Canadians came out firing in the second half and took just three minutes to extend their lead when No 8 Tyler Ardron scored to make it a seven-point match.
Germany managed to stay in the game but struggled in the final 10 minutes when first Canada’s Matt Evans scored before McRorie went over to seal the victory.
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