Canada: moving forward.

[canadafan]

Well our June Internationals are over and we finished with a 3-2 record. Both our loses should have been ones we expected to lose, while we did benefit a bit from a lucky schedule early to beat Fiji and Tonga lost the plot against us for 20 minutes which was enough for us to beat them.

Positional breakdowns:

Prop:

Buydens, Marshall, Tiedemann, Wooldridge, Dolozel

Buydens and Marshall both proved this June that they are our first paring and are some of the best props in 2nd tier rugby. Tiedemann had a rough June and probably didn't help his chances in finding another pro club in Europe to pick him up but he should be over there. He is good at tighthead but struggles and loose head. The other two are useless.

Hooker:

Hamilton, Barkwill

Both are competing for the starting spot, which is good and both are showing that they can do it. I still think starting Hamilton with Barkwill coming off the bench is the best option for us. Carpenter might be moving to this spot soon to help prolong his international career as well.

Lock:

Cudmore, Hotson, Phelan, Beukeboom, Flagg, Pierce, Olmstead

Before June I would have said this was our weakest position, but not now. We don't seem to have any standouts coming up unless Pierce really does step up. Beukeboom is HotsonX2, Flagg has some potential. Phelan finding a club to pay him in France is great news as if he can become a legitimate starter he will improve out line out immensely. Both Pierce and Olmstead could be future locks or 6's for us as well. A lot of our future depth here will depend on their development.

Backrow:

Ardron, Sinclair, Carpenter, Moonlight, Dala, Kleeberger, O'toole

Ardron is rising star and the sky is the limit to his potential. Sinclair plays lock for us right now due to a lack of great locks and to get all our best players on the pitch at the same time. Carpenter had a better June and seems to be fighting to keep his starting position at 8. Moonlight and Dala made is forget about Kleeberger and O'Toole at 7, which is great news. I was very worried about 7 before June, but not so much now. Kleeberger is still out injured by the way and I think I saw O'toole working at a McDonalds last week. In the B.C. winter league their is a number at playing at Burnaby Lake RC that could feature here in the future as well.

Scrum half:

Mack, White, Wilson, Armstrong

Mack and White seem to be fighting tooth and nail for the starting spot. White has really benefited from his trip to the Crusaders camp and has improved a lot after just a month there. Wilson is old but steady and Armstrong is young and needs to prove himself but could be a future 9 star for us.

Fly half:

Underwood, Braid, Hirayama, McCann, O'Leary, Kay

One question was answered this June, Hirayama should never play 10 for us again. He was a disaster. I don't care what anyone says, he was not that good against Tonga, he only looked good because they lost the plot: big time! Underwood should start against the Americans this August. The battle between him and Braid for the starting spot will be epic, but both are only probably holding the spot until O'Leary is ready for prime time.

Centres:

Mackenzie, Trainor, DTH, Blevins, Hearn, That Fijian guy

Our 3 first choice players were all out injured but should be ready to go this August. We really missed them against the Irish and the result would have been much closer if they played. Hearn, answered his critics as far as I am concerned (I being one of his biggest ones) he was okay and proved himself to be a stop gap measure at 13. Blevins has almost improved a lot as well. We also have a Fijian centre who has now qualified for us on residency so he could be a factor here as well.

Wing:

Paris, Hassler, Evans,

Paris had a mixed bag, some good, some bad. Still trying to figure out how he ****ed up that sure try against Fiji. Hassler was injured all June so never played. Evans played well, then got injured against Tonga. There are also a few wings playing in B.C. that could make the step up and push these guys for spots as well.

Fullback:

Pritchard, Braid, Kay, McCann

Pritchard is the king, but is 32, he is still playing well mind you and could make it to 2015 if he escapes injury. Braid started poorly here in June but slowly got better, but not by much. Is Braid still at the Doncaster Knights anyway? Kay and McCann could both feature here sooner than later.

Scrum:

Scrum went well against all comers and held it's own against Ireland. We have improved a lot here over the past few years. It is not an embarrasment anymore.

Line out:

We are missing a line out king that can start regularly. If Phelan does well in France and can bulk up a bit, this will solve our immediately problem. We still don't have any 'great' locks coming up though.

Forward pack:

Pretty good now with decent depth, our forwards never got embarrassed this past June.

Back line:

Considering all the injuries they went well I though. Depth was really tested and they wilted against Ireland in the last 20, but I don't think really embarrassed themselves either.

My starting line up against the Americans this August:

1. Buydens
2. Hamilton
3. Marshall
4. Sinclair
5. Cudmore
6. Ardron
7. Moonlight
8. Carpenter (c)

9. White
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Mackenzie
13. DTH
14. Trainor
15. Pritchard

16. Barkwill
17. Tiedemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Hotson
20. Dala
21. Mack
22. Hassler
23. Braid

 

[canadafan]

Guess we are all still drowning our sorrows after the loss.

 

[Blackanuck]

There was a lot of hype and excitement going into the Ireland test, and that turned ugly in front of 20,000 fans. Even the more knowledgeable Canadian supporters couldn't have been going home happy, to say nothing of any of the younger and/or casual fans.

Then Canada put themselves in a position where the PNC was theirs to lose...and they lost it.

The last week feels like a badly missed opportunity to take a real step forward in the Canadian sporting scene. But I'm fairly new to following Canadian rugby (and rugby in general) so maybe I'm off the mark?

The TSN/RDS deal is still good news....right?

 

[psychic duck]

My starting line up against the Americans this August:

1. Buydens
2. Hamilton
3. Marshall
4. Sinclair
5. Cudmore
6. Ardron
7. Moonlight
8. Carpenter (c)

9. White
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Mackenzie
13. DTH
14. Trainor
15. Pritchard

16. Barkwill
17. Tiedemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Hotson
20. Dala
21. Mack
22. Hassler
23. Braid

Hassler with Evans. Braid for Underwood. Possibly Barkwill for Hamilton. That would be my team.

I would also want Sinclair to move back to the back row if possible at some point, although I realise he's there because Canada has more back rowers and less locks at the minute and they want to fit the best players in. Hopefully Pierce can develop and get game time with Pau and fill the vacancy there and Sinclair can move back to the back row.

What an earth has happened to poor Chauncey these days? It's hard to think of a fall from grace as big as his within just 2 years. He's only 27 now, got plenty left in him. Looked like he was about to take the step up but completely went the other way. A shame as now the Canadians who signed for the Ospreys have got the "next O'Toole" tag hanging over them by some fans due to their nationality. Hopefully both work out better there.

And when is Kleeberger going to get fit, he has been injured for well over a year now. A shame as he was very good at the RWC.

Also I heard Canada did well at the JWRT. Coming an unexpected 2nd, far better than last year. McCann captained them from 12, but what was noticeable is their scrum was going pretty well, and then I noticed that one of the young props Djustice Sears-Duru was in the Leicester Academy. That's a pretty good academy for a young prop to be in, sounds promising. Even if he doesn't progress far with Leicester, he wouldn't need to be that good to be a step up from Wooldridge by 2015.

 

[profitius]

One question was answered this June, Hirayama should never play 10 for us again. He was a disaster. I don't care what anyone says, he was not that good against Tonga, he only looked good because they lost the plot: big time! Underwood should start against the Americans this August. The battle between him and Braid for the starting spot will be epic, but both are only probably holding the spot until O'Leary is ready for prime time.

Did you see Shane O'Leary play? I ask because some Munster fans say he should be in the Munster academy and is supposed to be going well for his club.

 

[LittleGuy]

My starting line up against the Americans this August:

1. Buydens
2. Hamilton
3. Marshall
4. Sinclair
5. Cudmore
6. Ardron
7. Moonlight
8. Carpenter (c)

9. White
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Mackenzie
13. DTH
14. Trainor
15. Pritchard

16. Barkwill
17. Tiedemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Hotson
20. Dala
21. Mack
22. Hassler
23. Braid

Love the write up Canadafan and yes I was drowning my sorrows LOL.

I have a close lineup to you and Psychic with maybe a couple of my own twists. I'm also assuming Cudmore IS available and Kleeberger ISN'T.

1. Buydens
2. Barkwill(seemed to have more of an impact than Hamilton, but probably something similar to what they did this srping with Barkwill playing around 50 minutes and Ryan the final 30)
3. Marshall
4. Hotson
5. Cudmore
6. Sinclair (Love Moonlight but Sinclair was immense vs. Ireland and I want him in position.)
7. Ardron
8. Carpenter
9. White(could go either way with Mack, both were great this June, this is a situational choice)
10. Braid? I honestly have no idea here, Underwood showed promise, Evans is the best talent but not his first position, Braid is decent but not spectacular and I don't want Hirayama he is a 7's player.
11. Evans (from here on out all these players are essentially interchangeable, and Hassler can be thrown in to either wing as well.)
12. Trainor
13. Van De Merwe
14. Mackenzie
15. Pritchard

16. Hamilton
17. Tieddemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Phelan or Buekeboom(Both are about equal, whoever is healthier come August)
20. Dala (Lots of other choices here but Dala is always a spark off the bench, brings added leadership and passion to the side)
21. Mack
22. Underwood (not much choice here, or maybe Evans slips in to FH if Braid goes off and Hearn can fit in here)
23. Hassler

There was a lot of hype and excitement going into the Ireland test, and that turned ugly in front of 20,000 fans. Even the more knowledgeable Canadian supporters couldn't have been going home happy, to say nothing of any of the younger and/or casual fans.

Then Canada put themselves in a position where the PNC was theirs to lose...and they lost it.

The last week feels like a badly missed opportunity to take a real step forward in the Canadian sporting scene. But I'm fairly new to following Canadian rugby (and rugby in general) so maybe I'm off the mark?

The TSN/RDS deal is still good news....right?

Maybe a little, Canada played well in the first three tests, and a lot of fans/afficiandos were expecting a hiding in Japan due to the travel and short rest, I'm gutted we didn't win the PNC(barrring some bizarre draw result between Tonga and Fiji) but I can get over it since the team did really well in all four games considering the circumstances and the injuries.

The Ireland game went well for 55 minutes and than fell to pieces. Pretty much everything that could go wrong in the final twenty did, even a forearm to Hearn's face that should have been a yellow and a citing was totally missed and led to an Irish Try. I was more upset that we were fielding a 4th-5th choice #12 in the game and had a feeling we were in trouble, I was dissapointed by the final scoreline though, I was expecting more the likes of a 10-15 point Irish win.

TSN deal is pretty decent, got to get the home tests on TV, thankfully 4 of the 5 games this June were on TV, and the one stream was as always awful LOL.

Guess we are all still drowning our sorrows after the loss.

Yes.

Hassler with Evans. Braid for Underwood. Possibly Barkwill for Hamilton. That would be my team.

I would also want Sinclair to move back to the back row if possible at some point, although I realise he's there because Canada has more back rowers and less locks at the minute and they want to fit the best players in. Hopefully Pierce can develop and get game time with Pau and fill the vacancy there and Sinclair can move back to the back row.

What an earth has happened to poor Chauncey these days? It's hard to think of a fall from grace as big as his within just 2 years. He's only 27 now, got plenty left in him. Looked like he was about to take the step up but completely went the other way. A shame as now the Canadians who signed for the Ospreys have got the "next O'Toole" tag hanging over them by some fans due to their nationality. Hopefully both work out better there.

And when is Kleeberger going to get fit, he has been injured for well over a year now. A shame as he was very good at the RWC.

Also I heard Canada did well at the JWRT. Coming an unexpected 2nd, far better than last year. McCann captained them from 12, but what was noticeable is their scrum was going pretty well, and then I noticed that one of the young props Djustice Sears-Duru was in the Leicester Academy. That's a pretty good academy for a young prop to be in, sounds promising. Even if he doesn't progress far with Leicester, he wouldn't need to be that good to be a step up from Wooldridge by 2015.

O'Toole I beleive was sitting at home through his own choice and if my following him on twitter is any indication he was watching the Stanley Cup Final and not the Canada vs. Ireland test!! I honestly think he's done with the side, we have so many loose forwards that he may have been lost in a numbers game anyways, no kidding about the collapse though, went from the "world's best amateur player" to sitting at home watching the NHL while Canada plays a Tier One side.

Kleeberger is progressing, he just got back into training, maybe he'll be a go for August if we are lucky. He's had a lot of bad luck on the injury front combined with a busy school schedule, if he comes back than thats even less chance for O'Toole.

Sears-Duru is a good prospect and I hope he's in the side for 2015(and beyond) Wooldridge is really only marginally effective and than more for a final ten minutes kind of role, Dolezel and company aren't even up to Wooldridge's standard.

 

[LittleGuy]

Did you see Shane O'Leary play? I ask because some Munster fans say he should be in the Munster academy and is supposed to be going well for his club.

He did fairly well from what I caught, made some nice cross field kicks and looks like a pretty good player. #10 is a bit of a mess for Canada at the moment so hopefully we've found our next Ander Monro with O'Leary.

Edit: Forgot in my first super long post to add that Pritchard wants to play unitl 2015, I read in the Globe and Mail he is striving to get there, and was hinting that it might be his swansong, I think he will be on the team myself, though he may have to accept less minutes or maybe not starting a game or two...we simply have no other goal kicker who comes close to his standard. He also is a Vice Captain and a huge asset to developing the younger players, It's hard to think of a player that's given more to Canada over the years.

 

[psychic duck]

1. Buydens
2. Barkwill(seemed to have more of an impact than Hamilton, but probably something similar to what they did this srping with Barkwill playing around 50 minutes and Ryan the final 30)
3. Marshall
4. Hotson
5. Cudmore
6. Sinclair (Love Moonlight but Sinclair was immense vs. Ireland and I want him in position.)
7. Ardron
8. Carpenter
9. White(could go either way with Mack, both were great this June, this is a situational choice)
10. Braid? I honestly have no idea here, Underwood showed promise, Evans is the best talent but not his first position, Braid is decent but not spectacular and I don't want Hirayama he is a 7's player.
11. Evans (from here on out all these players are essentially interchangeable, and Hassler can be thrown in to either wing as well.)
12. Trainor
13. Van De Merwe
14. Mackenzie
15. Pritchard

16. Hamilton
17. Tieddemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Phelan or Buekeboom(Both are about equal, whoever is healthier come August)
20. Dala (Lots of other choices here but Dala is always a spark off the bench, brings added leadership and passion to the side)
21. Mack
22. Underwood (not much choice here, or maybe Evans slips in to FH if Braid goes off and Hearn can fit in here)
23. Hassler

I like that side. Just one thing that needs to be thought about with everybody fit is Evans. He's so versatile, and I think playing him at 10 could be a real option. Hassler needs to start. Evans moving to 10 accommodates this whilst keeping Evans in the side.

He did pretty well at 10 last year, I still remember his "hook shot" pass against Georgia and he scored a nice try against the USA. I feel he is more effective in midfield even though he plays wing for his club.

Good news about Pritchard, he's done well this year after it looked like last November he was approaching the end of his career and he had an average time European tour. Good player to have around the squad.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gFhbrnrS_uI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 

[LittleGuy]

I like that side. Just one thing that needs to be thought about with everybody fit is Evans. He's so versatile, and I think playing him at 10 could be a real option. Hassler needs to start. Evans moving to 10 accommodates this whilst keeping Evans in the side.

He did pretty well at 10 last year, I still remember his "hook shot" pass against Georgia and he scored a nice try against the USA. I feel he is more effective in midfield even though he plays wing for his club.

Good news about Pritchard, he's done well this year after it looked like last November he was approaching the end of his career and he had an average time European tour. Good player to have around the squad.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gFhbrnrS_uI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

It would definately get our best players out on the pitch...a combination of backs something like this looks pretty awesome on paper. Backed up by guys like Braid, Paris, and Hearn now we are looking at a side that can get scalps rather than the 4th choice(even 5th in some cases) who have been playing in June(and even November). No disrepesct to those players they worked their ass off but Harry Jones is no DTH at the moment.


9. White(or Mack)
10. Evans
11. Hassler
12. Trainor
13. DTH Van De Merwe
14. Mackenzie
15. Pritchard

 

[Shaggy]

I think Canada can be encouraged by the results this year, as they seem to have uncovered a bit of depth that they didn't know they had ... the short turn around between games, combined with the injuries to some of the first choice players, finally took its toll in the games against Ireland and Japan, as the fatigue seemed to set in around the 60 minute mark IMO ... but, the number of players that have proven themselves at international level this year, can only be a good thing for Canada.

I believe that the true strength of an international side is in it's player depth, not in the best XV you can put on the park (assuming that there's no injuries and all of the players are available) ... that just never happens these days, and the short turn around in the PNC, RWC, or other tournaments, clearly shows that a strong squad is what is needed

 

[canadafan]

Another angle, who has increased/decreased their value to our team:

Increased their value to the team:

Phelan - he needs to bulk up more, but if he can, I can see him in the starting line up in a year or two.
Flagg - he has some grit to his game and if he can get over to a 2nd tier club in Europe, he could force himself into the match day 23.
White - silencing his critcs and slowly nailing down a starting spot. Needs to play professionally some where though to get more game time at the club level
Underwood - Showing that he can handle the pressure of starting at 10.
Evans - after a poor November tour, he bounced back in a big way this past June.

Decreased their value to the team:

Hirayama - Had a disasterous game against Ireland, he literally looked scared on the pitch.
Tiedemann - Didn't have a good June, is lucky there isn't that much competition for his bench spot. Still should be in Europe though.
Braid - seems to have lost out in the competition for the 10 jersey and struggled at 15, he is leaving the door open for others to take his spot in the game day 23.
Jones - Didn't do well at 10, struggled at 12.

 

[canadafan]

Depth is definitely getting better, but it also lacking some class. Hopefully some of our younger forwards can hit the next level and put pressure on the starters.

 

[LittleGuy]

Another angle, who has increased/decreased their value to our team:

Increased their value to the team:

Phelan - he needs to bulk up more, but if he can, I can see him in the starting line up in a year or two.
Flagg - he has some grit to his game and if he can get over to a 2nd tier club in Europe, he could force himself into the match day 23.
White - silencing his critcs and slowly nailing down a starting spot. Needs to play professionally some where though to get more game time at the club level
Underwood - Showing that he can handle the pressure of starting at 10.
Evans - after a poor November tour, he bounced back in a big way this past June.

Decreased their value to the team:

Hirayama - Had a disasterous game against Ireland, he literally looked scared on the pitch.
Tiedemann - Didn't have a good June, is lucky there isn't that much competition for his bench spot. Still should be in Europe though.
Braid - seems to have lost out in the competition for the 10 jersey and struggled at 15, he is leaving the door open for others to take his spot in the game day 23.
Jones - Didn't do well at 10, struggled at 12.

I was just thinking about this myself today.....my picks

Increased:

Barkwill - Seems to have really grabbed the #2 jersey, looked a little fatigued towards the end of the tour though(as were many others)
Phelan - Agreed with you canadafan and has secured a pro contract to boot.
White - Most improved Canadian player, time with the Crusaders was well spent, maybe they'll invite him back for some ITM cup level action.
Mack - Hopefully the "he's too small" crowd will be silenced, is a great option to start against less physical sides and will make a great #21
Underwood - You've pretty much covered this, is developing well but just not there yet.
Hotson - Quietly impressed at Lock, should have a spot on the 23 man roster nailed down for a bit can play in the backrow as well.
Hearn - Prooved he has great versatility, he might get lost in the numbers game a bit but should be a part of an extended squad as he can fill in everywhere. Upped his workrate dramatically this year.
Pritchard - Was average in November but pulled out a very good June, possible MOTM agianst Tonga and was a better part of the two losses, Goal kicking is vital went 13-14 in goal kicks. Should have a spot on the RWC squad if healthy.

Decreased:

Tieddemann - Pretty poor stuff, but as you said he isn't being pushed by Wooldridge or Dolezel. Seemingly played better before he went overseas, maybe was fatigued from the club season.
Hirayama - Has always been primarily 7's, showed promises in the first hour vs. Tonga but than literally nearly threw the game away. I love him at 7's but XV's isn't his cup of tea.
Jones - Outmatched, is young so should get another chance, was kind of thrown to the wolves with all the backline injuries.
Paris - Had some good moments and some pants on head moments(kind of like Mensah-Coker used to have). Wasn't terrible but will have trouble cracking the starting lineup if the rest of the backs get healthy.
Braid(sort of) - Was OK at #10 but not at 15, could be an effective bench player or extended squad option.

 

[canadafan]

Thing about Tiedemann is that he is a much better player at tight head than loose head. he is still young so time is on his side, but he does need to get back over to Europe.

Flagg I think came on as a back rower against Japan, is this correct? Think Pierce came on as a lock, but Flagg also needs to get over to Europe, he could be our Cudmore replacement.

 

[canadafan]

Part 3: Players that I want to see head overseas.

Now let me say first, I want virtually every Canuck player that has a chance to be a member of the national team to head overseas. However, I have left the list to those that I think heading overseas will help them reach the next level of their development and have a chance to become star players for us.

Forwards:

Aaron Flagg (lock/6): Has the potential to be the next Jamie Cudmore for us, and I mean his tough uncomprimising play not the crazy stuff.
Andrew Tiedemann (prop): Is a very good tighthead prop, but he needs to keep playing in Europe to get better, still young at 24.
Jake Ilnicki (prop): Not a member of the national side yet, but he has the potential to be a very solid prop for us in the future.
Ryan Hamilton (hooker): Could be a very good hooker for us, but is also injury prone. Playing pros might help him build up the necessary toughness to stay healthy.

Backs:

Sean White(half back): Needs consistent game time to keep getting better.
Conor Trainor (centre): Could be the next DTH for us, is still only 24 and has lots of years left. If he doesn't head over soon, his career could be over before it begins.
Liam Underwood (fly half): Could be the future for us at this position, needs to challenge himself to keep improving.
Braid (flyhalf/ Full back): Could be a very good 10 or 15 for us, but needs more serious game time to cool his nerves. Is he still at the Doncaster Knights anyway?

 

[LittleGuy]

I think Flagg came on for Carpenter against Japan...not too sure if Braid is still at the Knights, I think it was only a end of year deal and with their relegation wouldn't surpise me if they need to cut costs, unless Clive Griffiths(rugby's renaissance man...coaching Union, league and International all at the same time!!!!) can pull some strings.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

I like how people are talking about potentially putting Evans at 10... when you consider the emergence of Hassler and Paris (although he makes some dumb mistakes it's hard to believe he's only 20), Evans could be squeezed out of the back three anyway. As far as I am concerned there are only a few backline positions that are guaranteed...

10)
11)
12)
13) DTH
14) Mackenzie
15) Pritchard

In other words you have Underwood, Hirayama (who I don't think was as bad as people think), Evans, Trainor, Hassler, Braid, Paris, and Hearn to fill out the remaining spots. Not sure who should necessarily go where, but Braid shouldn't play fullback... Hassler probably has the edge on Paris too. Either way I like the depth we have in the backs; I don't think Canada has ever had a backline as deep as it is now.

In the forwards I agree with the consensus that outside of Buydens and Marshall our props are **** (is it just me or does Tiedemann look like he has gained a lot of the bad kind of weight?). Barkwill has been a revelation too, first choice number two for me.

Also, looking at the potential RWCQ rosters, even if Kleeberger only plays a handful of CRC games you need to choose him over Dala or Moonlight. He's just too valuable. And I get the feeling that O'Toole is finished.

 

[canadafan]

I think that O'toole is done as well.

If Kleeberger does get healthy and gets some games in, I would probably have him ahead of Moonlight at 7 as well. The next year should see some interesting movement in our squad, we finally have some depth coming up and I can see Phelan, Pierce and Flagg challenging for some spots on the pitch or bench in the forwards. Our backline just keeps getting deeper and deeper, except at the 10 and 12, but that could change as well too. It is hard to believe that Paris is only 20 and it was tough to leave him out of my 23 man squad, but right now, if he isn't starting, it makes no sense to have him on the bench.

 

[LittleGuy]

I like how people are talking about potentially putting Evans at 10... when you consider the emergence of Hassler and Paris (although he makes some dumb mistakes it's hard to believe he's only 20), Evans could be squeezed out of the back three anyway. As far as I am concerned there are only a few backline positions that are guaranteed...

10)
11)
12)
13) DTH
14) Mackenzie
15) Pritchard

In other words you have Underwood, Hirayama (who I don't think was as bad as people think), Evans, Trainor, Hassler, Braid, Paris, and Hearn to fill out the remaining spots. Not sure who should necessarily go where, but Braid shouldn't play fullback... Hassler probably has the edge on Paris too. Either way I like the depth we have in the backs; I don't think Canada has ever had a backline as deep as it is now.

In the forwards I agree with the consensus that outside of Buydens and Marshall our props are **** (is it just me or does Tiedemann look like he has gained a lot of the bad kind of weight?). Barkwill has been a revelation too, first choice number two for me.

Also, looking at the potential RWCQ rosters, even if Kleeberger only plays a handful of CRC games you need to choose him over Dala or Moonlight. He's just too valuable. And I get the feeling that O'Toole is finished.

Yeah he really seemed to not be in game shape, was there an injury in his D2 season that we are missing? Because he seemed to be in less shape and form than before he had the pro contract. Hopefully Sears Duru or some other prospects come up and start pushing the also rans for spots.

Is it just me or is Wooldridge like the "quietest" member of the Canadian team ever? I never hear his name mentioned other than in the lineups even when he gets on, he's never interviewed, isn't on twitter or mentioned in the fan pages...it's just sort of like he's always there in the #18 jersey, the one game he didn't crack the lineup I didn't even really notice!! The only game of his I can even remember is when Castrogiavanni schooled him in the dark arts after Buydens broke his leg.

So much talent in the loosies at the moment, especially if Kleebs gets healthy and agreed CDN_Rugby, Dala gets a little squeezed out if that happens. I just can't see anyway for Chauncey to get back in, we have Sinclair and Hotson(can play both lock and backrow), Ardron, Carpenter, Moonlight, Dala, Flagg( heck I'd almost rather see Sean Michael Stephen back in the side over O'Toole at least he's still doing well at Albion) O'Toole didn't crack the 7's side very often either this year. My guess is if we don't see him in August or November that's it. Or the 7's team loses a lot of depth and needs a quick fill in.


Hassler highlights package....(also I nearly forgot about Duke LOL, another depth player for our backline)

 

[canadafan]

SMS fall from grace has only been surpassed by O'toole's. right now the movement in our squad is at the depth positions, but hopefully these guys keep improving and put pressure on our starters.