By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It could have easily been overwhelming. Phil Mackenzie and his Canadian team- mates had arrived in New Zealand early enough to soak in the atmosphere at the Rugby World Cup. Mackenzie has played professionally since 2009, but as he walked on the field Wednesday, he realized there was little that could have prepared him for this moment. Going into my first World Cup I wasnt really sure what to expect. We arrived early and had the chance to watch the majority of teams play before us. I quickly began to real- ize the magnitude of the occasion, Mackenzie said by e-mail from New Zealand. Playing in front of 18,000 passionate rugby fans on a stage like that was really special. I was defi- nitely nervous but as soon as the whistle went I quickly got into the game. The inten- sity of the match was definitely something Ive never experienced. He may have lacked World Cup experience, but Mackenzie made the most of his debut on his sports biggest stage. With Canada trailing 20-18 with less than seven minutes to play, Mackenzie scooped up the ball from a ruck and scrambled 10 yards before diving across the line for the try that would provide the deciding points in Canadas 25-20 victory. Scoring the winning try was just icing on the cake, Mackenzie said. All I was concerned with was winning the game. but after some good work from our forwards I managed to cross the white line. Personally, I couldnt have asked for a better start. Our main goal was to win, which we accomplished, and to get a try in a game like that was a great feeling. The try was Mackenzies fourth in Canadas last four games. He scored in Canadas back- to-back wins over the U.S. and again in a loss to an Australian side as the team prepared for the World Cup. It was the first he had actu- ally carried over the line, though, which had become a source of good-natured ribbing from his brother and Canadian teammate, Jamie. His first try, he jumped on an errant pass. The next two, he chased down after kicking them over the line. To be honest, I dont care how I score them, he said. Five points is five points. With two teams advancing from each five- team pool, Canadas win over Tonga was crucial, especially considering the host and worlds top team, New Zealand, is all but assured one of those spots. Canada had beaten Tonga in the previous two World Cups but Tonga was still favoured, coming into the tournament ranked 12th in the world while Canada is 14th. Canada built an early 10-0 advantage but Tonga scored late in the opening half and carried the momentum into the second half, taking a 20-13 lead with 13 minutes remain- ing. Mackenzie said reversing that momen- tum and staging a comeback may not have been possible in the past. I think this group of players have a deep belief in what we are capable of and in years past, I dont think that was the case, the 24-year-old Appleby College grad said. Mackenzie and the Canadian squad will face an even tougher test Sunday when they play fifth-ranked France. But with three wins under its belt in its last four games, Canada is not ruling out another victory. Obviously playing France will be a mas- sive step up, Mackenize said, but we are feeling confident and hopefully we can go f out there and show what we are capable o doing. The game will be broadcast live on TSN at y p y p4 a.m. Sunda and re la ed at 4 .m. Look for our flyer in todays paper! Only in selected areas. See in store for complete details. w w w .i n si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , S ep te m be r 16 , 2 01 1 3 0 GAME WINNER: Oakville's Phil Mackenzie (in red, pictured in action during an interna- tional rugby con- test against Uruguay) scored the game-winning try as Canada defeated Tonga 25-20 in its first game at the Rugby World Cup. DENIS POROY / ASSOCIATED PRESS