Cochrane rugby star James O'Neill was handed a big honour when the University of Victoria Vikes player was named captain of the Team Canada U-20 rugby team that kicked off their 2018 Junior World Rugby Trophy play Aug. 28 in Bucharest, Romania. O'Neill started playing rugby at an early age and fell in love with the sport he now lives and breathes with the Canadian squad. "It's a huge honour to have been named captain of the U-20 squad. I started rugby in Cochrane, I was nine years old, it was an indoor session in the middle of nowhere, it was the middle of winter, my buddy had invited me. I gave it a try and liked it a lot and started playing club in Calgary, started playing with the Canucks and I've been with them ever since really," O'Neill said during an interview with Rugby Canada. "In Grade 10, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to Shawnigan and played there for three years, the first XV in Grade 11 and 12. I've been lucky enough to be involved with the Howlers as well, my Grade 12 year I went down to Columbia with them. Right after Grade 12, I went back home and worked in a hockey arena for a little bit, driving a Zamboni for about seven months, then did a semester at University of Victoria, then went down to New Zealand and played there for six months as well. It's been non-stop really since Grade 10, been all over the place." As for the tournament, Canada is in a pool with Fiji, Uruguay and Portugal, who Canada lost to by a very close score of 31-29 in the team's first game of the tournament. Having led at half time by 26-11, the outcome revolved around two yellow cards associated with two converted tries for Portugal to get them back in the game and three missed penalties late in the game by Canada. In the first half, Canada played a nicely structured game that featured impressive driving lineouts, from which two converted tries were scored. The tries were scored by Michael Smith at the 25-minute mark and Jack McRogers at 42 minutes, converted by Will Percillier. Percillier also kicked four penalties. In the second half, Portugal started explosively and scored a long-distance try. In the process of scoring the Portugese player was fouled by Brennig Prevost leading to the award of a penalty try and a yellow card to Prevost. The remainder of the game was suspenseful as the lead was exchanged three times between the teams. Percillier missed three kickable penalties to win the game, including a difficult one in the last play of the game. The final score was 31-29, with Canada gaining one point in their pool for a defeat of less than eight points. "This was a very disappointing loss because the win was within our grasp," said U-20 head coach Jeff Williams. "We will endeavour to improve for Uruguay and expect the boys to dig in for their second game." Canada's next game will be Sept. 1 against Uruguay. Those interested in watching the match can follow along at www.facebook.com/worldrugby. Should Canada win the tournament, they will be promoted to the 2019 Junior World Championships.
