VANCOUVER, B.C. — Rugby Canada flies to Japan Tuesday afternoon for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the injury statuses of two players remain up in the air.
Gareth Rees, who is serving as the team’s spokesperson for the coming tournament, said Tuesday morning that both Justin Blanchet and Kyle Baillie would be last-minute decisions to travel to Japan.
During Saturday’s 20-15 loss to the USA in Vancouver, Baillie suffered a knee injury while Blanchet appeared to injure an arm or shoulder.
Saturday, Canada coach Kingsley Jones said both were hard losses in the game.
“Losing our two biggest players against a big heavy team like the USA, that didn’t help us either,” Jones said. “Kyle Baillie’s been a leader for us. Justin Blanchet, he’s so physical, so that was blow to us.”
If either player can’t travel to Japan, it’s likely Josh Larsen, who just missed selection in the 31-man RWC squad Jones picked last week, will be called in.
Rees said that Peter Nelson, who injured a finger as well during Saturday’s game, has been given the all-clear and isn’t expected to feel any last effects.
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