Highly-motivated Canada U20s on revenge mission

George Barton describes the moment Junior All-American Ben Cima slotted a monster last-minute penalty to deny Canada a place at the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016 as the worst of his professional career.

Granted, at 19 years of age Barton’s career is only just getting off the ground, with plenty more highs and lows to experience no doubt, but few players will be unlucky enough to miss out on a global tournament in such a fashion whatever stage they are at.

Matt Beukeboom and Connor Sampson shared his pain as Canada crashed to a 19-18 defeat but all three will get the chance to set the record straight when they take on their USA counterparts in a two-game series on 13 and 17 June at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton.

HEART-BREAKING

“I don’t think there are many worse ways to lose than what happened last year, by a single point to a 55-metre, last-minute penalty; it was probably the most heart-breaking moment of my career so far,” Barton told World Rugby.

“I carried a chip on my shoulder for quite a while, and it probably wasn’t until I was called up into the senior men’s squad for the ARC (Americas Rugby Championship) that I got over it.

“I think this year the team is a better prepared and there is a huge passion for it because this is the game that Canadians always get up for. Last year’s disappointment is a big motivator for me, I have spent most of my year preparing for these games.”

With the senior men’s team enjoying a decline in fortunes of late, Barton is aware that a good result for the U20 side against the USA could be just the pick-me-up Canadian rugby needs.

CONFIDENCE BOOST

“I think it is one of the most important things in Canadian rugby right now, especially after such a poor performance in the ARC (Canada finished second from bottom of the six-team competition),” said Barton, who scored tries in each of his two test appearances against Chile and the USA.

“A lot of Canadian rugby supporters are disheartened and I think a good performance from the under-20s will lift their confidence and show them that there is a future in Canadian rugby and that we’re still fighting.

“We haven’t had a lot of time together as an U20 group so there may be a bit of rust and mistakes in the first match, but we realise that each game is just as important as the other and that it's not over at the 80-minute mark."

Canada coach Jeff Williams has named the Thiel twins, Jake and Josh, in his squad and the sons of Canadian legend Jon Thiel are ones to watch according to Barton.

“Jake is a number eight and is involved with Canada Sevens, while Josh plays 12 and is based in England at Bishop Burton College, where he is coached by Mike Umaga. They are both incredibly skilful,” he said.

FRENCH CONNECTION

Barton falls into the 'one to watch’ category too. You don’t get an espoirs (junior) contract at French Top 14 champions Clermont Auvergne without being able to cut the mustard.

While yet to break through into the Top 14 set-up, Barton admits he is blessed to be able to learn on a daily basis from club legend Aurélien Rougerie and current France stars Wesley Fofana and Remi Lamerat.

“Being at Clermont for the last two years has helped my rugby a tonne, it is not an opportunity that most Canadian teenagers would have come across," he admitted.

“In my first-ever men’s game, the academy team played a practice match against the Clermont pros and I lined up in the centres against Hosea Gear at 12 and Jonathan Davies at 13. I think I held my own but there is only so much you can do!”

Reaching the U20 Trophy, which takes place in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo from 29 August to 10 September, would be the perfect way for Barton to sign off in international age-grade rugby. 

“We have a lot of strong guys and athletic ability within the squad and I think we are capable of doing it this year," he said.

Photo: Lorne Collicutt