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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 23, 2013 | 20 Mackenzie limited to substitute action while recovering from injury continued from p.19 "It's massive in terms of the success of the program," Oakville's Mackenzie said of tomorrow's World Cup qualifying match at BMO Field against the United States. "To have the security of being invited and not having to go down to South America, I can't emphasize (enough) how important that is." Canada will go in with an advantage, having beat the U.S. 27-9 in Charleston, S.C. last weekend. With an automatic berth into the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England being decided on the two-game aggregate score, Canada doesn't need to win, though it certainly will want to in front of a home crowd. While the team once played in small, half-empty venues, it can now bring in more than 10,000 fans to a stadium like BMO. A return to the World Cup and, perhaps even advancement into the playoff round for the first time since 1991, would only help to lift the sport's profile. Mackenzie, like the program, is also looking to build off the momentum of the last World Cup. After scoring tries -- his first two for the national team -- in a pair of tune-ups against the U.S. a month before the Rugby World Cup, Mackenzie followed up with the game winner against Tonga in the tournament opener. He later added another in the tournament, outracing three defenders, in a 23-23 tie with Japan. from a torn hamstring. After starting every game for the national side in New Zealand in 2011, Mackenzie was limited to just 15 minutes as a substitute in last weekend's victory. While the injury didn't require surgery, it did need extensive rehab. "It's tough knowing you're not at full strength, but rarely do you get to play this game at 100 per cent. It's not quite there yet, but I think I'll just call it old age," the 26-year-old said. Clinching a spot in the Rugby World Cup would certainly buy Mackenzie some time to get back to full strength. The loser will remain alive, but will have to qualify through the South American group to get to England in 2015. And though the countries are close in the world rankings-- Canada sits 14th while the U.S. is 18th -- Canada has held a decisive edge in their head-tohead meetings. Canada has not lost to the Americans since 2009. "Every time we play the States it's a close game and a good battle," Mackenzie said. A win would satisfy Mackenzie's first goal. The next will depend on his ability to bounce back from his injury. "I want to have a good individual season, get healthy, get involved, and play an important role nationally and overseas," he said. -- Herb Garbutt can be followed on Twitter @Herbgarbutt Phil Mackenzie carries the ball and fends off defenders during a recent international men's rugby contest. The Oakville resident and his Canadian teammates face the U.S. tomorrow at Toronto's BMO Field in a World Cup qualifier. | photo by Caity McCulloch -- Special to the Beaver After two years with Esher in the English Championship, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound centre/wing made his debut in the English Premiership after signing on with London Welsh in 2012. Though the team struggled, the Appleby College grad showed he could compete at the highest level, scoring five tries in 12 starts. "Last year was an awesome experience and it really helped me improve on and off the field," said Mackenzie, who will suit up for the Premiership's Sale Sharks this year. First, he must help Canada qualify for the Rugby World Cup while trying to recover SEPTEMBER 6 to 8 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE International Centre, Hall 6 · 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga FREE PARKING Saturday: 10am-6pm · Sunday: 10am-5pm FEAT FE EAT ATUR A URES UR ES · · · · · · · · · + Crui Cr uise ui se Trav Trav Tr avel av el Ins nsur uran ur ran ance ce Dest De stin sti ti inat nat a io at ions ns Vaca Va acati cation tion Ren Renta entals tal ls Trav Tr ravel avelle eller' ler's r s Ma r' Mark rk rket ketpl etp plac pl ae ac H alth Heal He a th al h En E nte tert rta ai inm nme en nt Fin Fi na anc nce nce Lif Li Life fest fe es est sty st ty yl le man an ny, y, man y, any mo more re re September28-29,2013 START YOUR REGISTRY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $5,000 HOME DECOR package from JANE DAYUS-HINCH MEET & GREET AT THE SHOW Host of Wedding SOS FREE PARKING / DAILY FASHION SHOWS! THE WEDDING CHECKLIST WIN $4,000 IN GIFT CERTIFICATES HUGE BRIDAL GOWN SALE WIN A $5,000 WEDDING DREAM DÉCOR PACKAGE FOR YOUR GOWN, DJ, CAKE& TUXEDO'S B U Y T I C K E T S O N L I N E A DIVISION OF Interested in Exhibiting? For more information call 1-800-693-7986 www.nationalbridalshow.com www.maturityandtravelshow.com A DIVISION OF