Canada @ Rock Bottom

[rowan]

Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere yet:

Despite their lowly World Rugby ranking, Canada continues to receive attention from tier one nations.

Friday, the Scottish Rugby Union confirmed their senior men’s team will tour the Americas this June, beginning with a match against Canada, in Canada, the weekend of June 8 to 10.

Rugby Canada hasn’t yet confirmed a location for the game, but it is understood that both BMO Field in Toronto and Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton are unavailable. That most likely leaves either Vancouver or Ottawa as host site.

http://theprovince.com/sports/rugby/rug ... nd-in-june

[rowan]

Teams for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier (I'll stick it here, since the home-leg's in Canada):

CANADA
1- Buydens (45 caps)
2- Barkwill (45)
3- Ilnicki (23)
4- Beukeboom (30)
5- Larsen (3)
6- Olmstead (19)
7- Heaton (12)
8- Ardron (26)
9- Mack (44)
10- Braid (25)
11- van de Merwe (47)
12- Blevins (44)
13- Lasage (2)
14- Hassler (17)
15- Paris (18)

16- Piffero (18 caps)
17- Sears-Duru (33)
18- Keith (4)
19- Cejvanovic (10)
20- Rumball (14)
21- McRorie (30)
22- Parfrey (18)
23- Staller (9)

URUGUAY
1- Sanguinetti (43 caps)
2- Kessler (32)
3- Sagario (67)
4- Dotti (29)
5- Capó Ortega (39)
6- Gaminara (49)
7- Lamanna (40)
8- Nieto (55)
9- Arata (24)
10- Berchesi (24)
11- Freitas (19)
12- Vilaseca (37)
13- Cat (15)
14- Leivas (63)
15- Silva (43)

16- Pombo (4 caps)
17- Benítez (20)
18- Echeverría (33)
19- Leindekar (4)
20- Garese (6)
21- Ormaechea (36)
22- Mieres (52)
23- Prada (36)

[rowan]

Oh dear

Head coach Kingsley Jones believes he knows the answers to what Canada must do to beat Uruguay in a crucial Rugby World Cup qualifying match.

The question is if a week is enough time for the Canadian team to regroup and learn the lessons from a 38-29 defeat in Saturday's first game of the two-leg series.

"We've got not a lot of time to spend on the rugby field practising, but there are certainly a lot of things we have to improve," Jones said after the loss before an announced attendance of 16,132 at BC Place Stadium.

"There are positives to build on. We have to win by 10 points next week. Can Canada win by 10 points away from home? We haven't done it for a while, but we need to go and do it."

The teams play again Saturday in Montevideo. The winner of the two-game aggregate series advances to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Full story here: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/rugby/canada-u ... -1.4507596

[Puja]

Just watching the Uruguay vs Canada game and I'm appalled at the refereeing attitude of Luke Pearce. He's in a Spanish speaking country, refereeing a Spanish speaking nation, and so far he's said every word in English with an attitude of, "It's not my problem if you don't understand me."

I'm not suggesting he learns a new language solely for this game (although it wouldn't hurt), but he could at least have memorised a few phrases like "Leave it" or "Roll away". He's supposed to be a professional and a little bit of professional preparation would've been good.

Puja

[Puja]

And rock bottom keeps getting redefined for the Canadians. Lost the second leg 32-31 to Uruguay to go out on aggregate 75-65 (although in their defence, they declined a last minute conversion from a flukey try that would've won the match on the day, but wouldn't've affected qualification. Nice gesture).

Now they go into the repechage for RWC qualification, where they're likely to face Russia/Spain, Kenya and Hong Kong. In theory, they should win, but Russia and Spain are ranked ahead of them and Hong Kong's only just behind. And it would only take a mild shock in the Africa Cup to see them facing Namibia instead of Kenya.

Puja

[Lizard]

I guess playing Canada makes sense if you’re on your way to the USA, but by the same logic T1 teams should be adding Uruguay to Argentine jaunts (and we’ve been over the PI option when heading to NZ or Aust).

It could get worse for Canada - they’re yet to face Brazil and Chile (25th & 26th ranked) this ARC. Brazil won the fixture last year (albeit at home).

[rowan]

What was interesting about Canada's loss to Uruguay in Montevideo is the final conversion attempt could have won the game, though it wouldn't have been enough to see them qualify for the World Cup, as Uruguay would still have gone through on aggregate, and it wasn't an ARC game, so the guy just attempted a quick 7s-style drop-kick - apparently (he did it so quickly the camera missed it). Thus it became another loss in the record books, whereas a successful conversion (and it was a fairly easy one) would at least have salvaged a modicum of pride, put a win in the record books for Canada (instead of yet another loss), and secured them a rankings point or two. I just wonder if that lackadaisical approach to the match-deciding conversion wasn't representative of some deeper issue within the Canadian rugby psyhche in the modern era.

[rowan]

Canadians owe the Belgians big time, that's for sure. It had looked for all the world like they were headed for a showdown with Romania, which could've gone either way, but I don't think Spain will trouble them too much. The Canucks downed Los Leones 27-37 in Madrid during the AIs. The other teams in the repechage tourny are likely to be Hong Kong and either Kenya or Zimbabwe.

[rowan]

Meanwhile, schedule's out:

[rowan]

Seattle Seawolves will be playing the Prairie Wolf Pack in an exhibition game, likely April 14th. Venue TBC.

[rowan]

Rugby Canada is proud to announce a four year performance development plan with USA Rugby. Focusing largely on U18 and U20 age grades, the plan utilizes the North America 4 (NA4) format and will streamline the performance competition pathway.

“This is another step forward in our relationship with USA Rugby and we are excited to continue building for the future of our game” said Ken Goodland, Coordinator, Player Development and Talent ID.

“Through this initiative we will streamline the Talent ID approach and collaborate with our provincial unions to work toward the same goal.”

There will be a change to the existing Rugby Canada U19 program to better align with and support the U20 program. What will now be dubbed Rugby Canada Youth XV, this program will move to include the top 18 and 19 year olds in immediate contention for the next U20 campaign.

From a Talent ID perspective this program will target the CRC U19 tournament and university rugby programs ultimately supporting Rugby Canada sending two teams to USA in the post Christmas break. From these squads a long list will be established for the spring period and players will be monitored and provided feedback ahead of a May U20 selection camp.

The U18 program remains the same but with a greater collaboration with provincial unions to increase focus on high school rugby. “our intention is to work with the provinces to complement the existing focus we have on club and provincial rugby.” says Ken. “This will create greater depth for U18 program immediately and support a larger player pool for the U20 program.” Two U18 teams will head to Arizona and similar to the U20 program, a long list will be established and tracked for selection to a U18 spring event.

Another exciting piece builds on the additional focus Rugby Canada recently put on University rugby and complements the targeted ages of 19-23. A Canadian University All-Star XV, chosen from the University championships last November, will play a 2 game series against the USA Collegiate All-Stars. This will happen in June and plans to be tied to one of Rugby Canada’s test match weeks. “Student athletes can be some of the best in the country and we want to provide another opportunity for that group to showcase their talents”

“We know with hard work and long term focus we can provide the right tools for our young athletes to develop into international and professional rugby players. Development takes patience and we feel this four year plan gives our men’s programs a solid foundation to build on.”

Negotiations are currently taking place to build a similar plan for women’s programs and is inclusive of age-grade, cross border university competitions and senior programming. One that is unique and appropriate to the current system and works to provide long term stability for our women’s game.

https://rugby.ca/en/news/2018/04/rugby- ... grade-plan

[rowan]

Some good news for a change . . .

In a season of ‘firsts’ for the Ontario Arrows, the young club needed just four matches to accrue their first-ever winning streak, having earned their second win on the trot with a convincing 29-19 away victory over the Boston Mystics on Saturday afternoon.

Bolstered by a dominant performance by their forwards, the Arrows used a powerful scrum to build a 19-0 halftime lead. Multiple tries by No. 8 Kolby Francis sandwiched a tally from prop Rob Brouwer, with fly-half Will Kelly notching two conversions as the travelling Arrows carried a three-score lead into the interval.

Hooker Andrew Quattrin added to Ontario’s lead with a try in the opening minutes of the second frame, and after Boston scored their first points of the match mid-way through the half, scrum-half Alex Gliksten added an insurance marker by scoring the Arrows’ fifth try of the day.

Two late tries by Boston, scored within a six-minute span to end the match, brought the Mystics to within 10 points of the Arrows, but the late push from the home side was not enough to overcome their 24-point deficit.

Take the jump to read more.

http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2018 ... l?spref=fb

[rowan]

Canada also to host Russia (a week before the tourists take on the US in Denver), but have selected a pitifully small venue for the occasion, with a 5K capacity including standing room:

Rugby Canada is pleased to announce that international rugby will return to the nation’s capital as Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will face Russia on June 16th, 2018 at Twin Elm Rugby Park outside Ottawa, Ontario

https://rugby.ca/en/news/2018/05/canada ... -in-ottawa

[rowan]

Aside from the Russians, biggest winners from developments this week are the Canadians, whose sternest challenge in the repechage tournament now is likely to come from Hong Kong - who they should be able to deal with in spite of their current woes.

Meanwhile, Canada Selects to face the Ontario Arrows. Presumably Selects is a B team or home-based selection or something.



1. Noah Barker – James Bay AA/BC Bears (Courtenay, BC)
2. Martial Lagain – Sherbrooke Abenakis/Atlantic Rock) Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq, France
3. Cole Keith – James Bay AA/Atlantic Rock (Sussex, NB)
4. Paul Ciulini – Aurora Barbarians/Ontario Blues (Vaughan, ON)
5. Conor Keys – UVIC Vikes/Atlantic Rock (Stittsville, ON)
6. Dustin Dobravsky – Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears (Hanover, Germany)
7. Lucas Rumball – Captain, Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues (Mississauga, ON)
8. Luke Campbell – James Bay AA/BC Bears (Victoria, BC)
9. Andrew Ferguson – Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues (Mississauga, ON)
10. Robbie Povey – Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack (Northampton, UK)
11. Kainoa Lloyd – Mississauga Blues/Ontario Blues (Mississauga, ON)
12. Guiseppe du Toit – UVIC Vikes/BC Bears (Maple Ridge, BC)
13. Doug Fraser – Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears (Ladysmith, BC)
14. Cole Davis – Calgary Saints/Prairie Wolf Pack (Calgary, AB)
15. Pat Parfrey – Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock (St. John’s, NL)
16. Steven Ng – James Bay AA (Ottawa, ON)
17. Liam Murray – James Bay AA (Langley, BC)
18. Ryan Kotlewski – Westshore RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack (Calgary, AB)
19. Grant Crowell – Calgary Rams/Prairie Wolf Pack (Wolfville, NS)
20. Matt Heaton – (Darlington Mowden Park/Atlantic Rock) Godmanchester, QC
21. Jorden Sandover-Best – UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears (Abbotsford, BC)
22. Gordon McRorie – Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack (Calgary, AB)
23. Josh Thiel – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)

[rowan]

Looks like the Selects won 19-0

[rowan]

The Canada Selects got through their final tune-up before the June internationals in convincing fashion, scoring eight tries en route to a 58-28 win over the Ontario Arrows at Westhills Stadium on Saturday.

[rowan]

Canadian schedule leading up to the repechage tourny:

July 9 to 25 All centralized athletes training at Al Charron Rugby Canada National Training Centre in Langford.

July 25 All centralized athletes to be made available for the first two rounds of the Canadian Rugby Championship, except for one game, based on France Tour:

July 27 BC Bears vs Prairie Wolf Pack (Calgary)
Aug. 3 BC Bears vs Prairie Wolf Pack (Vancouver)
Aug. 4 Ontario Blues vs Atlantic Rock (Montreal)
Aug. 7 **Ontario Blues vs Atlantic Rock** (Toronto)
**Note: centralized players selected for the France tour will not be available**

August Canada “A” France tour

Aug. 5 Depart for France
Aug. 11 Canada “A” vs Castres in Lacaune, France
Aug. 17 Canada “A” vs Clermont in Issoire, France

August Canadian Rugby Championship Finals in Calgary
Aug. 23 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rdat Calgary Rugby Park
Aug. 26 Bronze & Gold Medal Match at Calgary Rugby Park
**All centralized athletes to be available**

September All centralized players to train in Langford at Centre of Excellence

October Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay
Oct. 2 Depart for Uruguay
Oct. 6 Canada “A” vs TBC
Oct. 10 Canada “A” vs TBC
Oct. 14 Canada “A” vs TBC

November Rugby World Cup 2019 Repechage – Marseille, France
Nov. 11 Canada vs. TBD at Stade Delorte, Marseille
Nov. 17 Canada vs. TBD at Stade Delorte, Marseille
Nov. 23 Canada vs. TBD at Stade Delorte, Marseille

https://rugby.ca/en/news/2018/07/canada ... -repechage

[rowan]

Think this is the same Canada team that got thumped by Castres last week and insisted on uncontested scrums in the second half. They've now decided to re-brand themselves as 'Canada A,' evidently:

Clermont 54-15 Canada A

[newgalesurf]

Definitely is dire to watch the mens XV recently. Just not good enough, and haven't kicked on from the Gareth Rees, Rod Snow days.

Did think they were looking OK a few years back too with Phil Mac, Van Der Merwe, Bydens and the rest. Seems they just cannot pull a pro team together with enough quality.

They need to get some teams in the Major rugby scheme with the US and at least improve the quality of opposiition they play against. Or get enough players playing professionally in Europe to improve.

Or is it structures and tactics with the outgoing management. Hope they can sort it out soon and get back to respectability

The RWC was painful to watch

[Puja]

Definitely is dire to watch the mens XV recently. Just not good enough, and haven't kicked on from the Gareth Rees, Rod Snow days.

Did think they were looking OK a few years back too with Phil Mac, Van Der Merwe, Bydens and the rest. Seems they just cannot pull a pro team together with enough quality.

They need to get some teams in the Major rugby scheme with the US and at least improve the quality of opposiition they play against. Or get enough players playing professionally in Europe to improve.

Or is it structures and tactics with the outgoing management. Hope they can sort it out soon and get back to respectability

The RWC was painful to watch

They desperately need to find someone with money in Vanvouver to bankroll an MLR expansion team. Canada's just too big to have one pro team and the majority of their high performance systems are based in Vancouver. The player base has to be built up at the professional level; they can't go on acting like an amateur side where you're in if you've got the right contacts.

Puja

[newgalesurf]

Vancouver is a great place to start. I know you say Canada is too big for just one team, but realistically outside of Vancouver (and maybe the Maritimes) rugby is a severely marginalized sport. I went to the national championship game (Prairie Fire vs Niagara) about 10 years ago, and was on the same day as a CFL game. Went to both and couple hundred saw the rugby and 30k to the Rider game

Players need to go to Europe or Southern Hemisphere and play at a high level, but then the international release schedules and travel commitments are horrendous

[Mr Mwenda]

Good that there's some Saskatchewan love around here.

I don't think it would be mutually exclusive to join the us league and send players over the water. Seems Canada would benefit from an intermediate level for players to gain experience and advertise themselves.

[Puja]

Vancouver is a great place to start. I know you say Canada is too big for just one team, but realistically outside of Vancouver (and maybe the Maritimes) rugby is a severely marginalized sport. I went to the national championship game (Prairie Fire vs Niagara) about 10 years ago, and was on the same day as a CFL game. Went to both and couple hundred saw the rugby and 30k to the Rider game

Players need to go to Europe or Southern Hemisphere and play at a high level, but then the international release schedules and travel commitments are horrendous

I'm not a fan of just relying on overseas adventures to build a national team. You have no control over the players, no option for international training, players coincidentally "retire" or are "injured" or just plain request not to be considered for a tournament for fear of losing their livelihood, and the foreign clubs will always beast them like a rented mule because they've got no strong union or option to take their business elsewhere. And then the gap between these stars and the locals is cavernous and you're left with a side that varies wildly in quality depending on how many of your exiles you can scrape together. Not to mention the number of players who slip through the net because they can't catch the eye of a foreign coach and thus either don't develop or retire to be a lawyer.

I'm not saying that Canada shouldn't have some players going abroad, but they should be the likes of Tyler Ardron in Super Rugby, not the likes of Conor Trainor playing in Pro D2 or Evan Olmstead in the Championship.

Puja

[newgalesurf]

The ideal is for a domestic championship at a high level, but not sure the finances are here for that. Already downsized from a national league once.

I agree the overseas approach is not ideal but these players will never be competitive unless they get exposed to the top level of the game. 7s seems to be the only development route but even that is not always competitive

Would be happy for a couple pro NA franchises. Seems to work in other sports, but needs proper investment

[Puja]

There are rumours about a potential Halifax entry into the MLR, although they've been quiet for a while.

Puja