Canada: moving forward.

[canadafan]

That Canadian rugby forum is a joke, I flounced from that forum a long time ago. I think RC has been going well since a bunch of kiwis have taken over, I really like what Mike Chu has done at the top. Rugby in Canada has slowly been improving and gaining momentum in Canada, hopefully the TSN agreement will be a great step forward in bringing the sport to the masses. How much did we make from the BMO game and what were the TV ratings?

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Suggitt's coaching philosophy was to exclusively use the pick and go with two midget twin props who clearly didn't belong...it's like he was trying to make Frankenstein's monster from roadkill. How many quality backs did we develop during his time? Mike Pyke? Maybe Spicer? Maybe Clark gets more credit for them than Suggitt.

Mike Webb (wtf?) tackled behind the gainline...Stu Ault nearly fumbles the ball but retains possession, again behind the gainline ... One of the Pletch's knocks on and we lose possession. Throw in a frustrated Mike Pyke and a Daypuck kick that somehow goes backwards and you have the Suggitt era summed up.

The fact that Snow and Thiel had to be brought out of retirement for the WC showed that Suggitt was in over his head. Unless something drastic happens Crowley should stay around as long as he wants to; we are far better now than anytime between 2004-2007

 

[canadafan]

Agree about Crowley's era has been far better than Suggit's, I have heard before that he ran a loose ship and had lost the respect of the professional players. Even though we haven't been winning that much more under Crowley, for now, we are playing a much more exciting brand of rugby. Also, I think we have started turning a corner and the wins will start coming more consistently. I think we have a real chance at turning over the Maori this November.

 

[canadafan]

Can anyone answer this? How much did we make from the BMO game and what were the TV ratings?

 

[LittleGuy]

Suggitt's coaching philosophy was to exclusively use the pick and go with two midget twin props who clearly didn't belong...it's like he was trying to make Frankenstein's monster from roadkill. How many quality backs did we develop during his time? Mike Pyke? Maybe Spicer? Maybe Clark gets more credit for them than Suggitt.

Mike Webb (wtf?) tackled behind the gainline...Stu Ault nearly fumbles the ball but retains possession, again behind the gainline ... One of the Pletch's knocks on and we lose possession. Throw in a frustrated Mike Pyke and a Daypuck kick that somehow goes backwards and you have the Suggitt era summed up.

The fact that Snow and Thiel had to be brought out of retirement for the WC showed that Suggitt was in over his head. Unless something drastic happens Crowley should stay around as long as he wants to; we are far better now than anytime between 2004-2007

I love this post more than can be described in words!!!

Can anyone answer this? How much did we make from the BMO game and what were the TV ratings?

Not sure what we made but Rugby Canada's budget is made public annually so than we'll have a better idea, my guess would be well into the hundreds of thousands...ratings I might have a chance of finding out, I know our national team usually draws more than soccer(other than world Cup) and often over basketball.

 

[canadafan]

USA rugby said it made 600,000 from their test in Houston, I would suspect we would have a similar number.

 

[canadafan]

One thing I know for sure, I like the team we have now ten times more than the squad in 2007. I would say that the only area where we have gone backwards is at the 9-10 partnership.

 

[canadafan]

About the final 20 minutes in the tests, I am not too worried about that as I think it is directly connected to our injuries right now.

 

[psychic duck]

Interesting insight into what may be regarded in Canadian rugby history as their perhaps their most dismal period between 2004-2008. Some of the results really put into perspective how much Canada have progressed since then, the Ireland defeat was classed as disappointing but that match in that dismal era would have probably been seen as a success compared to other results. Crowley had a difficult start, but has gradually upped the side.

Regarding Sean-Michael Stephen. I remember him being talked about by Gareth Rees as "the player to watch" before their awful 2008 November tour and was backing him to get a pro contract.

About Josh Jackson, hiding in Federale 1 is exactly what he is doing, with one of the better teams there as well. http://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur_1775.html

 

[Intent]

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.

He played at 10 as a junior, and was quite successful in that role. He's a smart player, and has had the advantage of training in England at an academy and at the professional level.

Underwood is very promising but I think he would benefit greatly from some European experience before coming up as the starting 10. I hope he can find a contract there. He's only 22. Don't want the pressure to burn him out.


All in all, I'm happy with how well we played this June. For a while, I felt that Canada played rugby that worked rather than rugby that excited, but I'm pretty delighted with what I got to watch. Made me want to tune in again (I am a fairly casual fan).

 

[Dougydeluxe]

Yes most Canadians do not have enough exposure to Professional rugby. But that is starting to change, the younger kids coming up (like me) stream games or download them to watch later at a more convenient time. More bars are showing H Cup rugby as they usually have a game that kicks off around noon and is a good way to bring in early business on the weekends.

That being said though it is still tough to watch Rugby live as the times make for early mornings and that lack of watching with friends and beers. I think by the next RWC you are going to see Canadians with a lot more Rugby knowledge. It is so easy now to go on Youtube and watch 10 min highlights of International and Pro games. This mixed with the steady improvement of the Canadian team will lead to a stronger rugby population.

The loss to the Irish sucked, mostly because of all the drunk Irish in the stands chirping the Canadian team as the left. Most of which were not real Irish Rugby fans as they would have known that Ireland were favorites in the first place.

The TSN contact is great for us, but I am/was sick of watching TSN and Sportsnet at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon and they have pool, poker, or darts on TV. That stuff is horrible. Put on some old Rugby, Soccer, Cricket or another sport that has low exposure in Canada. At least it can be somewhat interesting to watch.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Yes most Canadians do not have enough exposure to Professional rugby. But that is starting to change, the younger kids coming up (like me) stream games or download them to watch later at a more convenient time. More bars are showing H Cup rugby as they usually have a game that kicks off around noon and is a good way to bring in early business on the weekends.

That being said though it is still tough to watch Rugby live as the times make for early mornings and that lack of watching with friends and beers. I think by the next RWC you are going to see Canadians with a lot more Rugby knowledge. It is so easy now to go on Youtube and watch 10 min highlights of International and Pro games. This mixed with the steady improvement of the Canadian team will lead to a stronger rugby population.

The loss to the Irish sucked, mostly because of all the drunk Irish in the stands chirping the Canadian team as the left. Most of which were not real Irish Rugby fans as they would have known that Ireland were favorites in the first place.

The TSN contact is great for us, but I am/was sick of watching TSN and Sportsnet at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon and they have pool, poker, or darts on TV. That stuff is horrible. Put on some old Rugby, Soccer, Cricket or another sport that has low exposure in Canada. At least it can be somewhat interesting to watch.

Amen about the Irish "fans" in the stands. Half of them were Canadians who just felt like pretending they were Irish. Saw a bunch of retards wearing Irish Soccer Jersey's as well. A couple of the retards decided to start a fight above the Terrace where I was standing. I grabbed one of them and told them this was a ****ing rugby match not a Leafs game and told him to cool it. He then proceeded to ***** and asked me if I wanted to have a go. This was at the end of the game and even though I would have loved to tool him up rugby is a gentlemen's sport where those sort of BS antics have no place.

 

[LittleGuy]

Amen about the Irish "fans" in the stands. Half of them were Canadians who just felt like pretended they were Irish. Saw a bunch of retards wearing Irish Soccer Jersey's as well. A couple of the retards decided to start a fight above the Terrace where I was standing. I grabbed one of them and told them this was a ****ing rugby match not a Leafs game and told him to cool it. He then proceeded to ***** and asked me if I wanted to have a go. This was at the end of the game and even though I would have loved to tool him up rugby is a gentlemen's sport where those sort of BS antics have no place.

Yeah I saw this on the other end of the ground, my section was a lot more relaxed, most of the Irish fans were ex-pats and some were there with kids(could also have been the higher ticket prices in my section bringing in more committed fans and less drunks). I didn't talk to too many hardcore fans from the Irish section, many were casual followers of the 6N and RWC though I think. Did hear a number of Canadian accented fans in Irish gear before and post match which like you said is much more a soccer thing(and even with our national soccer team that started to change a bit the last couple of years...thank god).

Hopefully Rugby Canada will finally follow my suggestion and stop marketing these games to rivals fanbases and more to casual rugby and sports fans in general. Would be nice to see a lot of the youth clubs out. As I said in the game thread for Canada vs. Ireland I actually found the crowd for Canada vs. Italy last to be a lot more energetic and into the game than the Canada vs. Ireland game(even when it was close). What would you guys say the split was? I saw an idiot Irish fan on planetrugby claim it was 50-50 but there is NO way it was that, I was thinking more like 75-25 for Canada we just had less to cheer about and some fans left early when the blowout started.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Definitely 75-25, a lot of people wearing Irish kit were just randoms that decided to show up to the game. I know because it was at BMO a lot of Companies had bought bulk orders of tickets and given them out to employees. I met a bunch of people who had gotten tickets through numerous companies in and around Toronto.

 

[Intent]

Does anyone know the extent of the TSN contract? Do they just have internationals or did they get any rights to the European/SH leagues?

 

[Dougydeluxe]

75-25... Just that the loudest (drunkest) Irish fans were all in the same areas... so it created a perception of more.

Those were also the 20somthings that have come over from Ireland to a far stronger economic country. But that is a different story.

I don't know about the TSN Deal, but don't think it has European leagues as most of Sportsnet World already has that. They might get SH.

 

[LittleGuy]

Does anyone know the extent of the TSN contract? Do they just have internationals or did they get any rights to the European/SH leagues?

Only guarenteed for Canadian home games and probably not the Pacific Nations Cup games as of now, since Sportsnet owns that off the IRB, so it just means home tour games and RWCQ's for sure, possibly some away and neutral site frindlies in November as well.

 

[canadafan]

Article about Lucas Hammond and the 7s side. Why isn't Trainor with the 7s anyway?

Following a successful Junior World Trophy campaign for Canada Under-20 Team, Lucas Hammond is now set to represent his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.

Toronto native Hammond, alongside RWC teammate Justin Douglas, was part of Mike Shelley's Under-20 side that progressed to the final of the recent tournament in Chile, with solid performances unfortunately concluding with a tough 45-23 defeat to Italy.

Since returning from South America and taking eight days at home to recover from his exertions, the 19-year-old was soon required to turn his focus to Sevens action, a tough schedule he views as being exciting times for all the selected players.

"It is great to be back together as a team," Hammond explained about linking back up with the Sevens personnel. "Having that time to train at Fortius (the Athlete Development Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia) was good as it helped us get back into the Sevens mindset after a few months of playing Fifteens rugby for Canada."

Hammond was certainly not alone in making the switch between Sevens and Fifteens though, as the likes of Nathan Hirayama, Taylor Paris, Sean Duke, Harry Jones, Ciaran Hearn, Nanyak Dala, Mike Fuailefau, Phil Mack and John Moonlight were part of the recent Pacific Nations Cup action. Like Hammond and Douglas however in Chile, the senior side came narrowly close to picking up their respective silverware.

"Obviously we would have loved to come away with the win, and the U20 boys were really disappointed with the loss to Italy," said Hammond. "However you can't fault the effort from the boys, throughout not only the tournament but also the lead-up.

"Since the Junior World Trophy tournament there has been plenty of positive comments about our performance over there too. It was a showing that we can be proud of and it's also one for the younger players to learn from for next year's tournament."

Progress is the buzzword for all ages of the Rugby Canada setup, particularly with the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro only three years away from its kick-off. And that's why Hammond and Geraint John's men are keen to put in a fine showing at this week's World Cup, an event that will offer valuable experience to the group.

"These tournaments are really good in preparing the team for the Olympics," added Hammond. "For me it's about getting as much experience before 2016 as well as enjoying it - this weekend's Sevens tournament in Moscow serves both those purposes."

Canada, while sending a team that possesses quality throughout, will be without Jeff Hassler, Chauncey O'Toole, Conor Trainor and Tyler Ardron for the showpiece. But that hasn't dampened the spirit in the camp, with Hammond and the younger players who have been involved in the successful World Series adding fresh impetus.

"Yes, those players will be missed. However, we still have a very experienced team," he added. "This is an opportunity for guys like Justin, Mike and I to step up."

That attitude will delight coach John, whose side begin their Pool campaign against New Zealand on Day One before Saturday sees them face the USA and Georgia.

Canada’s Roster for Moscow - (Club, CRC Team) Hometown

Nanyak Dala - (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Thyssen De Goede - (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Justin Douglas - (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
Sean Duke - (UVic Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Mike Fuailefau - (Castaway Wanderers RFC/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Lucas Hammond - (Toronto Nomads/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
Ciaran Hearn - (Castaway Wanders RFC/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Nathan Hirayama - (UVic Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Harry Jones - (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
Phil Mack - (Uvic Vikes/ BC Bears) Victoria, BC
John Moonlight - (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Taylor Paris - (SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne) Barrie, ON

Head Coach: Geraint John
Assistant Coach: Kieran Crowley
Manager: Brian Hunter
Therapist: Isabel Grondin
Strength & Conditioning/Analyst: Lorna Barry

RWC Sevens - June 28-30

Day One
Canada v New Zealand at 15:44 local time

Day Two
Canada v USA at 10:06 local time
Canada v Georgia at 13:46 local time

Day Three
TBC

Canada’s National Senior Men’s Sevens Team is proudly sponsored by Macquarie Financial, Trafigura and Own the Podium with Support from Sport Canada

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http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=71072

 

[LittleGuy]

Article about Lucas Hammond and the 7s side. Why isn't Trainor with the 7s anyway?

He still hasn't recovered from his broken ankle, I think he said on twitter he might be available for the RWCQ's in August....bit of a blow for the side though that 7's roster dosen't look too bad.

 

[canadafan]

He still hasn't recovered from his broken ankle, I think he said on twitter he might be available for the RWCQ's in August....bit of a blow for the side though that 7's roster dosen't look too bad.

Damn, I was hoping it was a sign that he was close to signing a pro contract in Europe.