[EOYT] Canada vs. New Zealand Maori. 03/11/13

[canadafan]

My team:

1. Buydens
2. Barkwill
3. Tiedemann (if fit)
4. Hotson
5. Phelan
6. Ardron
7. Moonlight
8. Carpenter (c)

9. Mack
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Scholz
13. Trainor
14. Hassler
15. Braid

16. Wooldridge
17. Ilnicki
18. Flagg
19. Kleeberger
20. Dala (carpenter covers hooker)
21. Mackenzie
22. Jones
23. Hearn

 

[psychic duck]

Have you watched our other hookers play?

What's your point? There's no evidence as yet that Carpenter is any better as a hooker than them.

Fiji don't have great props either. If there was rumours that Rupeni Caucau was considering playing there would it mean he would necessarily be any better simply because he is a better player in another position?

 

[canadafan]

What's your point? There's no evidence as yet that Carpenter is any better as a hooker than them.

Fiji don't have great props either. If there was rumours that Rupeni Caucau was considering playing there would it mean he would necessarily be any better simply because he is a better player in another position?

Relax, i was taking the **** out of all our other hookers. Barkwill is the only regular that has been selected in the squad, so it is very reasonable to say that Carpenter could see some time as hooker. He has played there before, and is playing hooker occassionally at the Pirates.

 

[Intent]

Rugby Canada has just posted the roster that will be facing NZ Maori.

Canada’s Roster for New Zealand Maori All Blacks Game

Tyler Ardron, (Ospreys/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
Connor Braid, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Manawatu Turbos) Saskatoon, SK
Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates) Brantford, ON
Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
Aaron Flagg, (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
Kyle Gilmour, (St. Albert Rugby Club/Prairie Wolf Pack) Edmonton, AB
Jeff Hassler, (Ospreys/Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB
Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Jake Illnicki, (Williams Lake Rustlers/Auckland Colts) Williams Lake, BC
Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
Adam Kleeberger, (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) White Rock, BC
Phil Mack, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Jamie Mackenzie, (UVIC Vikes/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Ryan March, (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Pat Parfrey, (Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock) St. John’s, NL
Jon Phelan, (Lille Métropole Rugby/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
Mike Scholz, (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Andrew Tiedemann, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
Conor Trainor, (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
Doug Wooldridge, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON

Quite honestly, it's a better line-up than I expected. I definitely don't expect anything close to a win but I hope they can at least put together some nice looking rugby.

 

[Intent]

RC also released a list of players left out due to injury or prior commitments, perhaps we could be seeing some of them in the other tests?

Players Unavailable due to Professional Commitments or Injury:

Brett Buekeboom, (Plymouth Albion RFC) Lindsay, ON
Jamie Cudmore, (ASM Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
Tom Dolezel, (London St. George’s/Ontario Blues) London, ON
Sean Duke, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish) Vancouver, BC
Phil Mackenzie, (Sale Sharks) Oakville, ON
Jason Marshall, (Atlantique Stade Rochelais/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
James Pritchard, (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia
Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
DTH Van Der Merwe, (Glasgow Warriors) Regina, SK

 

[LittleGuy]

I appreciate the work and intent Intent but I posted those lists around noon in this thread.

For the list of unavailable's here is what I know...

Beukeboom is suspended but he should be available for some of the later games.

Cudmore is out with a hand injury until late in the window and has always been hard to get available.

Hirayama is out with a broken leg and will miss a lengthy period of time.

Dolezel and Duke will probably be unavailable as well due to injury though both will probably be well covered anyway.

Pritchard, Hotson, Mackenzie, Marshall, Sinclair and DTH should all be available starting the Georgia game.

Also did anyone notice how Paris wasn't mentioned in EITHER list? On top of his non selection in August perhaps he's fallen out of favour with the staff.

 

[Darwin]

Overall a pretty strong looking NZ Maori side. The only weaknesses are the inexperience at prop and first-five (though West is very talented), and the fact there is always a risk they will be playing with only 14-men for part of the game if Hoeata is in the starting lineup. There is a lot of talent in the loosies, and in the mid-field/outside backs.

If I was picking my top 23 to play Canada I would go with:
1. K Hames
2. C Flynn
3. B Afeaki
4. J Hoeata
5. J Wheeler
6. L Squire
7. L Braid
8. E Dixon
9. P Weepu
10. I West
11. A Taylor
12. C Ngatai
13. T Bateman
14. M Proctor
15. K Baker
16. H Elliot
17. C Eves
18. N Barrett
19. B Thomson
20. S Christie
21. J Gibson-Park
22. J Willison
23. R Robinson

The biggest selection issues for me would be:
(1) Who to start at LH prop out of Eves & Hames.
(2) The make-up of the loose-forward trio. They could go with 6. Dixon and 8. Squire, while both Thomson and Christie ave strong cases for inclusion in the starting lineup (starting Christie & Braid on the flanks - twin opensides - would be a serious option).
(3) Whether to play Bateman or Ngatai at 12. Both players cover 12 & 13 equally well, so it is really depends on their gameplan
(4) The make-up of the back three. I have excluded Guildford from the 23 as he hasn't displayed much form for Hawkes Bay this season, while in contrast Proctor, Baker, and Robinson have all looked sharp for their respective provinces. Andre Taylor has be solid for Taranaki, but not in great form in my opinion, but I would include him in the starting lineup as he is the backup goal-kicker.

 

[canadafan]

I assume the lack of Paris is an oversight as most of our Pro D2 players weren't realeased either. If there is no mention of him in the November squad, then I would start to wonder, but apparently he is playing well in Agen so if he is being overlooked on purpose it better be for a good reason.

 

[LittleGuy]

I assume the lack of Paris is an oversight as most of our Pro D2 players weren't realeased either. If there is no mention of him in the November squad, then I would start to wonder, but apparently he is playing well in Agen so if he is being overlooked on purpose it better be for a good reason.

Agreed, and knowing the usual from Rugby Canada press releases this is very likely an oversight, I guess we will have to stay tuned for the rest of the tour announcement.

 

[canadafan]

and over 16,000 tickets sold is a solid number. Hopefully that will get to 20,000

 

[LittleGuy]

and over 16,000 tickets sold is a solid number. Hopefully that will get to 20,000

I think it's very doable if it looks like a nice day heading into the game my guess will be somewhere close to the Ireland game in that 19-20,000 range. The lineups are encouraging, Canada's isn't fantastic but it's certainly a lot better than my worst fears, and the Maori have some solid players turning out. As of now the forecast is 7 C and 70% Showers but it's so far away that can be taken with a bag of road salt over the shoulder.

 

[canadafan]

I can see the Maori sleep walking into this match like the Irish did with the Americans this past June. If we are on top of our game and play virtually error free(yes I know that's unlikely) we could get one over them. Personally I think the Americans are going to get smashed the following week as we will wake the Maori up for them, like they did with the Irish for us.

 

[canadafan]

Still no news about Doug Wooldridge and which club has signed him?

 

[LittleGuy]

Still no news about Doug Wooldridge and which club has signed him?

Not a peep and the only one I can see reporting it at all is BCRN(who has had a lover's quarrel with Barkwill over the last few days HAHAHA). Maybe the announcement has been delayed till past the November test window since Wooldridge won't be joining his club it looks like until early December anyway.

 

[canadafan]

Probably waiting for the visa to come through.

 

[rusty_lock]

Well this is a little bit of a better squad than I expected to see for this match but unfortunately we are still missing some key players that we need to keep us competitive. My line up is not that dissimilar to your LG. The only change that I would make is at hooker allowing Kleeberger into the starting line up.

1. Buydens
2. Carpenter
3. Tiedemann (if fit)
4. Hotson
5. Phelan
6. Kleeberger
7. Moonlight
8. Ardron

9. Mack
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Scholz
13. Trainor
14. Hassler
15. Braid

16. Barkwell
17. Ilnicki
18. Wooldridge
19. Flagg
20. Dala
21. Mackenzie
22. Jones
23. Hearn

My thought is that if we're going to start the Carpenter at hooker experiment, lets start it in a test that doesn't count. As well, this gets more of our best players on the field at one time and will at least allow us to challenge at the breakdown a little bit better.

 

[rusty_lock]

What's your point? There's no evidence as yet that Carpenter is any better as a hooker than them.

Fiji don't have great props either. If there was rumours that Rupeni Caucau was considering playing there would it mean he would necessarily be any better simply because he is a better player in another position?

Carpenter has been getting some time at hooker with the Pirates and there is no doubt that he is better in open play than anyone else we could put in the #2 jersey. I have no idea how he is at scrum time but I'm not sure how much it is going to matter because the scrum will be going backwards a rate of knots against the Maori no matter who is the hooker. We might as well get the best players on the pitch we can and hope for the best. As hopeful and optimistic as I usually am I expect to lose this by 40 points.

 

[Shaggy]

Carpenter has been getting some time at hooker with the Pirates and there is no doubt that he is better in open play than anyone else we could put in the #2 jersey. I have no idea how he is at scrum time but I'm not sure how much it is going to matter because the scrum will be going backwards a rate of knots against the Maori no matter who is the hooker. We might as well get the best players on the pitch we can and hope for the best. As hopeful and optimistic as I usually am I expect to lose this by 40 points.

The scrum should be interesting, as the Maori are a little light in the prop department (and hooker dept) ... looking forward to seeing how Squires and Christie match up against the Canadian loose forwards

 

[LittleGuy]

Well this is a little bit of a better squad than I expected to see for this match but unfortunately we are still missing some key players that we need to keep us competitive. My line up is not that dissimilar to your LG. The only change that I would make is at hooker allowing Kleeberger into the starting line up.

1. Buydens
2. Carpenter
3. Tiedemann (if fit)
4. Hotson
5. Phelan
6. Kleeberger
7. Moonlight
8. Ardron

9. Mack
10. Underwood
11. Evans
12. Scholz
13. Trainor
14. Hassler
15. Braid

16. Barkwell
17. Ilnicki
18. Wooldridge
19. Flagg
20. Dala
21. Mackenzie
22. Jones
23. Hearn

My thought is that if we're going to start the Carpenter at hooker experiment, lets start it in a test that doesn't count. As well, this gets more of our best players on the field at one time and will at least allow us to challenge at the breakdown a little bit better.

These are my exact thoughts (I did have Carpenter starting at Hooker in my lineup canadafan did not) as well I find Barkwill to be much more effective off of the bench, he's more a Dala like player well liked by the team, feisty and energetic but better used in short spurts and as a spark/morale booster late in games.

This is a list of guys heading to the NACRA 7's...who won't be available for at least the Georgia game and possibly longer, good to see Wilson-Ross in that side as a reward for his ARC service.

Men’s Maple Leafs Roster for NACRA Sevens - (Club, CRC Team) Hometown, Province

Justin Douglas - (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
Lucas Hammond - (Toronto Nomads/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON - Captain
Pat Kay - (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Duncan, BC
Clayton Meeres – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Chilliwack, BC
Pat Parfrey - (Swilers RFC/The Rock) St. Johns, NL
Jordan Sandover-Best, (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
Theo Sauder - (St. George’s HS) Vancouver, BC
Jack Smith – (James Bay AA/Peterborough RFC) Peterborough, ON
Mike Scholz – (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Jordan Wilson-Ross – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Allison, ON
Nathan Yanagiya, (UVIC Vikes/Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC
Adam Zaruba – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

They have sold around 18500 tickets for the game, with a week left, will we break 20000? I sure think so and I would imagine we will have some walk-ups on game day as well! It also looks like it will be a nice day although it will be cold with the temperature hovering around 5 degrees celsius, I like the idea of playing in November in Canada, maybe the cold weather will give us some sort of advantage :lol:.

Should be another good showing for rugby in Canada and I look forward to seeing this full stadium again:

Now if only we had our full-strength side!

 

[LittleGuy]

They have sold around 18500 tickets for the game, with a week left, will we break 20000? I sure think so and I would imagine we will have some walk-ups on game day as well! It also looks like it will be a nice day although it will be cold with the temperature hovering around 5 degrees celsius.

Yeah I have yet to buy mine for example but am probably 75% to go, I'm holding out for a bit longer as I have one last variety that needs harvesting(not sure what day it will come off) and I was holding out on the weather, which seems like it will be quite crisp but not horrible something like 7 C and a stiff breeze only 30% chance of some showers.

Kudos to Rugby Canada in their marketing I was expecting a much smaller crowd to be frank with the time of year and already having had a few games in Toronto this year.

 

[canadafan]

Great to read ticket sales are going well.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Less than 800 tickets now available. Looks like BMO Field will be sold out by Sunday.

 

[LittleGuy]

Less than 800 tickets now available. Looks like BMO Field will be sold out by Sunday.

Great news for Rugby Canada and the game in general, horrible news for me LOL. I still don't know if I can attend and it loks like my time frame for finding out just got a heck of a lot shorter. Does anyone know if every section has been opened? The North stand is the only one I wasn't completely sure about, it will definately be a sell out, and will probably get there tonight/tommorow. I'm only looking for an individual seat which gives me a decent chance of fidning one of the last available I guess.

Edit: North Stand is open....they have cracked 20,000 as well, dear god I hope we don't get whipped on Sunday in front of so many casuals without our top side.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Great news for Rugby Canada and the game in general, horrible news for me LOL. I still don't know if I can attend and it loks like my time frame for finding out just got a heck of a lot shorter. Does anyone know if every section has been opened? The North stand is the only one I wasn't completely sure about, it will definately be a sell out, and will probably get there tonight/tommorow. I'm only looking for an individual seat which gives me a decent chance of fidning one of the last available I guess.

Edit: North Stand is open....they have cracked 20,000 as well, dear god I hope we don't get whipped on Sunday in front of so many casuals without our top side.

I may have an extra ticket if you want it, wait out!

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Less than 800 tickets now available. Looks like BMO Field will be sold out by Sunday.

That will be 22,453 tickets sold if it is sold out, will be a new record for North American Rugby! If I would have said 5 years ago that we would be able to host an international rugby match and get over 20,000 fans in November, who would have believed me? Now wouldn't it be awesome if they could get a game at BC Place next year against a Tier-1 country in November!

Btw glad too see we can consistently outdraw our National Soccer team, in their own stadium no less! Poofball pffftt who needs it!

 

[LittleGuy]

I may have an extra ticket if you want it, wait out!

That would be awesome, if I can't find one before I can figure out whether I can attend you would be a lifesaver.

I didn't get any word tonight and with the way sales are going I may only have till some time tommorow to find out. My problem is I still have Cabernet Franc that needs to be harvested, the variety is ready to go but the winery/producer has no space in the tanks that they can go into as they've fallen behind on their fermentation speed. I don't need to be here for the actual harvest but I do have to remove the bird netting in advance of that harvest which will take a full day, which would mean a Monday harvest on short notice would completely screw me over. On some longer notice or it not occuring on Monday I'm fine, I can set up noisemakers and stuff that will definately work for a day or two.

A similar scenario happened to me on Thanksgiving where a harvest day was dropped on my plate half way through Saturday for a Tuesday morning pick and screwed over my entire long weekend.

 

[canadafan]

Where did you hear the number that only 800 tickets left?

 

[LittleGuy]

Where did you hear the number that only 800 tickets left?

Rugby Canada's official twitter account only 797 remaining as of this late this afternoon.

 

[canadafan]

Thanks, ever heard anything about Wooldridge?