Canada host a young French side in a one-off rugby test match to be played at York University Stadium in Toronto. The French side

The last time Canada played France in Canada was in 1994 and the Canadians won. Although it would be a bit of an upset for Canada to repeat that victory, it is the best opportunity for them to do it.

Canada

Quentin Fyffe; Marco DiGirolamo, Ryan Smith, John Cannon, Stirling Richmond; Jared Barker, Morgan Williams; Stan McKeen, Mike Webb, Phil Murphy; Jamie Cudmore, Colin Yukes; Forrest Gainer, Aaron Abrams, Kevin Tkachuk (c).

Reserves
Mark Lawson, Jon Thiel, Mike Burak, Jim Douglas, Ed Fairhurst, Mike Danskin, Derek Daypuck

France

Clement Poitrenaud; Philippe Bidabe, Tony Marsh, Brian Liebenberg, Aurelien Rougerie; Alexandre Peclier, Ludovic Loustau; Thomas Lievremont, Bernard Goutta, Yannick Nyanga; Pascal Pape, Fabien Pelous (c); Pieter de Villiers,
William Servat, Arnaud Martinez.

Reserves
Dimitri Swarzewski, Olivier Milloud, David Couzinet, Pierre Rabadan, Mathieu Barrau, Julien Peyrelongue, Cedric Heymans

On Saturday night New Zealand will face the combined Pacific Islands team for the first time in a one-off rugby match to be played at North Harbour stadium, Auckland.

The All Blacks have called up Rico Gear to the right wing, as Doug Howlett is still out with a shoulder injury. Open-side flanker Richie McCaw, who is still suffering headaches, is out of the match. Marty Holah takes his place, however there is no specialist open-side flanker reserve on the bench. Lock Keith Robinson return from his knee injury, it is still causing some discomfort so he could still miss the game.

Samoan centre Brian Lima has been called up for the game after fellow Samoan, Seilala Mapusua, was suspended for one match for a dangerous tackle. Seru Rabeni starts at fullback after fellow Fijian Norman Ligairi was injured against Australia.

The bookmakers have New Zealand as a firm favourite to win then game, giving them a 28 point start over the Islanders. Personally I think the game will be a bit closer than that, but New Zealand will still win.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Jerry Collins, Mose Tuiali’i, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Sam Tuitupou

Pacific Islanders: Seru Rabeni (Fiji); Lome Fa’atau (Samoa), Brian Lima (Samoa), Seremaia Bai (Fiji), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Fiji); Tanner Vili (Samoa), Mosese Rauluni (Fiji); Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji), Alifereti Doviverata (Fiji), Sione Lauaki (Tonga), Ifereimi Rawaqa (Fiji), Inoke Afeaki (captain, Tonga), Taufa’ao Filise (Tonga), Aleki Lutui (Tonga), Soane Tonga’uiha (Tonga).

Replacements: Joeli Lotawa (Fiji), Tevita Taumoepeau (Tonga), Filipo Levi (Samoa), Semo Sititi (Samoa), Steven So’oialo (Samoa), Tane Tu’ipulotu (Tonga), Sireli Bobo (Fiji).

Australian rugby captain George Gregan is out with an injured shoulder as the result of a rough tackle from Seilala Mapusua. Gregan is likely to be out for a month with the injury. Mapusua has been subsequently been banned for one week for the tackle and will miss the Pacific Islands match against the All Blacks.

Australian fullback Joe Roff was also injured during the match suffering damage to his knee cartilage. Roff will likely be out of the game for at least 6 weeks.

Italy 32 defeated Japan 19 on Sunday in a one-off rugby test match.

Japan: Try: Onozawa Conversion: Ikeda Penalty goals: Ikeda 3 Drop Goal: Morita.

Italy: Tries: Castrogiovanni 3, Canale Conversions: Wakarua 3 Penalty goals: Wakarua 2.

France were able to come back from a 4 point deficit at half time to beat the US Eagles 39 points to 31. The rugby game was a one-off held on Saturday at Rentschler Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut.

Mike Hercus was the stand out player for the United States, making several breaks through the French defence. Hercus scored one of the US tries and made three conversions.

In the second half France were able to take the lead and extend it. However a late burst from the Eagles brought them within 8 points of the French.

The French now go on to play Canada next week.

France: Tries: Patrick Tabacco, Ludovic Valbon, Mathieu Barrau, Thomas Lievremont, Pieter De Villiers. Conversions: Alexandre Peclier (4). Penalties: Peclier (2).

United States: Tries: Shaun Paga, Mike Hercus, Jovesa Naivalu, Fifita Mo’unga, Riaan Van Zyl. Conversions: Hercus (3)

The Wallabies defeated the combined Pacific Islands team in a one-off rugby union game at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The Pacific Islands team played a good game and scored two tries. Of note was Sione Lauki who had a strong game and scored the first of the Islanders tries.

But they were no match for the Australian team who were able to dominate possession and field position.

Australian winger Clyde Rathbone came under particular attention from the Pacific Islands defence. Coming off in the second half after sustaining a knock to the head. A number of other Australian players took a few knocks and bruises.

The Islanders played well in their first combined match. The Pacific Island played showed lots of raw talent but were let down in some of the technical aspects of rugby such as positional kicking and the line out.

Also of note was South African referee Andre Watson who was officiating his last international match after announcing his retirement from international refereeing.

Australia: Tries: Matt Giteau (2), Stirling Mortlock (2), Brendan Cannon. Conversions: Joe Roff, Matthew Burke.

Pacific Islanders: Tries: Sione Lauki, Sireli Bobo. Conversions: Seremai Bai (2).