The Langford-based Canadian men’s rugby team, with a significant amount of homegrown Island talent, will play in the 2019 World Cup in Japan. The Canadians will be in Pool B and open play on Sept. 26 in Fukuoka against Italy. Then come games against famed world powers New Zealand All Blacks on Oct. 2 in Oita and South Africa Springboks on Oct. 8 in Kobe. Canada will close pool play Oct. 13 against African-qualifier Namibia . If Rugby Canada can finish top three in the pool they will qualify for the 2023 World Cup.