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“The general feeling is we didn’t give our best performance,” Jones admitted.

And while defence is clearly the first and most vital thing that must work for Canada to have any hope of overhauling their disadvantage, a pair of injuries are just about as worrisome: Connor Braid and Jeff Hassler are both out.

Braid suffered a high-ankle sprain early in Saturday’s game. He battled on but was forced off the field inside the game’s first half-hour.

Hassler was also injured part way through the first half and was temporarily replaced by Brock Staller. Hassler got his head checked out and was cleared to return to play.

But it seems the damage the rambunctious winger suffered was much worse than first feared: he has a broken cheekbone.

Those two injuries have forced the only changes to Jones’ lineup from last week: Shane O’Leary will start in Braid’s place, while Taylor Paris will move back to his more familiar right wing position, with Staller starting at full back.

“The bottom line is we have to come here and win,” Jones said. “To lose Connor was a blow.”

O’Leary, who plays his club rugby for the Ealing Trailfinders in England’s Championship, injured his ankle at the beginning of November and has just returned to full fitness.

Putting him straight into the starting lineup isn’t Jones’ preference, but given the dearth of fly halves available to Jones, he’s going with it.

Pat Parfrey has “done well” playing as the primary playmaker, but he’s clearly an inside centre, Jones feels. Players like Harry Jones and Nathan Hirayama have also filled the number 10 shirt in recent years but both are now full-time sevens players and aren’t options.

Bringing Staller into the lineup does help with the team’s kicking game, as the 24-year-old was the primary kicker on the recent November tour, notably booting 17 points against Spain.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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