Van der Merwe makes Canada rugby history but still rues 28-28 draw with U.S.
TORONTO — After hobbling into the post-game interview room, co-captain DTH van der Merwe took little pleasure in making Canadian rugby history in a 28-28 tie with the United States.
Van der Merwe’s two tries Saturday at Tim Hortons Field lifted him into first place in Canada’s all-time try-scoring ranks with 25. And his storming 69th-minute run set the stage for Canada’s third try and late 10-point comeback in the first leg of the World Cup qualifier.
But the 31-year-old danger man, slated to join England’s Newcastle Falcons later this year, was not about to bask in moving past the classy Winston Stanley as Canada’s top try-scorer.
“Maybe it would have been a bit better if we won. But a draw, you know, it’s a bit iffy,” he said. “I’ll look back at that maybe when I’m a bit older, but right now I just want to do as much as I can to help my team.”