HAMILTON, Ontario (AP) Canada and the United States missed late kicks at the goalposts and finished 28-28 in the first leg of their 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Canada fought back from 28-18 down, tying the score in the 78th minute with Shane O’Leary’s third penalty.
Eagles flyhalf AJ MacGinty then missed a dropped goal attempt, while Canada earned a penalty just inside America’s half, but O’Leary’s attempt was to the right.
The winner of the second leg in San Diego next Saturday will qualify for Pool C at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, joining England, France, Argentina, and Oceania 2.