Flagg, Team Canada qualify for Rugby World Cup

Aaron Flagg, a product of the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club (ARFC), helped Team Canada sweep the United States in a qualifying series.

Aaron Flagg, a product of the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club (ARFC), helped the Canadian senior men’s national team qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup by sweeping a two-game qualifier vs. the United States.

Team Canada notched a 27-9 win over their American counterparts in Charleston, S.C. on Aug. 17 in the opener of the two-game series, which would be decided by total points.

That left the Canadians with a comfortable 18-point margin heading into the second leg of the home-and-home set last Saturday at BMO Field in Toronto. Canada triumphed 13-11, winning the aggregate match-up 40-20.

Flagg, who was born in New Zealand and grew up in Chilliwack, played four years with the ARFC. He made his national team debut on June 19, and he dressed for the second game of the World Cup qualifier vs. the U.S., slotting into the roster in place of Ryan Hamilton, who sat out due to injury.

Canada will be in Group D at the 2015 World Cup in England, along with France, Ireland, Italy and another European team yet to be determined.

Abbotsford News