USA Rugby Release LANGFORD, British Columbia – The USA Rugby AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans head into their second match against Canada’s under-20 team in the span of five days with a few changes made to the starting XV.

The MJAAs led for more than 70 minutes in the first match of the World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifier Monday before succumbing to a last-second penalty and ensuing penalty goal to fall, 24-23. With the aggregate winner of the series advancing to the under-20 tournament in Portugal, the MJAAs are by no means defeated following the loss.

“I think the teams are quite evenly matched, hence the one-point score differential,” MJAA Head Coach Michael Engelbrecht said. “Both teams bring combinations of power, speed, and skill in different positions across the board.”

Prop James Gannon, one of the returners from last year’s Junior World Rugby Trophy in Hong Kong, will wear the no. three jersey Friday as opposed to lining up at loose head. Val Lee-lo will start the match as a reserve, while Darien Pickett and Gabriel Romero will shore up the scrum at loose head prop and hooker, respectively.

Seth Halliman was instrumental in the MJAAs’ second try of Monday’s loss, but will suit up as a reserve Friday with replacement Paula Hafoka set to earn time on the win. Flanker Wesley Parker also replaces Monday starter Braedon Hood, who will wear no. 19.

Christian Weissing will again captain the side with Ben Cima as vice captain in the play-making position of fly half. Cima scored 13 points with his boot Monday.

Friday’s match kicks off at 10pm ET, 7pm PT and will be broadcast live on http://www.sportscanada.tv/rugbycanada/. 

AIG Men's Junior All-Americans | v Canada U20 
1. Darien Pickett 
2. Gabriel Romero 
3. James Gannon 
4. Oliver Drew 
5. Christian Wiessing (C) 
6. Wesley Parker 
7. Jacobus Germishuys 
8. Maciu Koroi 
9. Louis Mulholland 
10. Ben Cima 
11. Paula Hafoka 
12. Fitou Fisiiahi 
13. Ian Kinsley 
14. Connor McRae 
15. Scott Dean

AIG Men's Junior All-Americans | Reserves 
16. Nick Kwasniewski 
17. Valdemar Lee-lo 
18. Austin Bush 
19. Braeden Hood 
20. Erik Thompson 
21. Oisin Brady 
22. Seth Halliman

Canada U20 | v AIG Men's Junior All-Americans 
1. Cali Martinez 
2. Patrick Finlay 
3. Matt Tierney 
4. Paul Cuilini 
5. Reegan O'Gorman 
6. Lucas Rumball 
7. Ollie NOtt 
8. Luke Bradley 
9. Dan Joyce 
10. Dylan Horgan 
11. Karsten Leitner 
12. Guiseppe du Toit 
13. Mitch Santilli 
14. Theo Sauder 
15. Andrew Coe

Canada U20 | Reserves 
16. John Shaw 
17. Brendan Blaikie 
18. Conor Young 
19. Mitch Rothman 
20. Tony Pomroy 
21. Philip Berna 
22. Brandon Waeyan

AIG Men's Junior All-Americans | World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifier series 
v. Canada U20 - L 24-23 
v. Canada U20 - Friday, March 27 - 10 p.m. ET - Westhills Stadium