It was a busy day for Wolverine captain Rhys Jacks, who coached the Canadian under-19 side in a 42-24 loss to the Jamaica under-19 team in the first half of the doubleheader before dressing for the senior game.
The games served as a fundraiser for relief from last month’s hurricane Melissa.
The Canadian players, who dug into their own pocket to pay for the trip, brought supplies ranging from books to calculators to rugby gear to donate to the university.
Canada coach Aaron Zimmerle, who is based in Australia, brought a domestic squad other than Jacks. There were 12 debutants in the tour group with some veterans like captain Blake Mahovic unavailable due to work commitments.
Rugby league is the lesser-known rugby code, often overshadowed by rugby union outside of league strongholds in Australia and the north of England. Rugby league is a physical 13-a-side game that features punishing forward play and slashing attacks by elusive backs.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2025.
The Canadian Press