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2011 Canadian Rugby Championship

2. Canada needs to extend the CRC to the states. Canada is 1/10 the size of the States and adding more teams to our league would only dilute funds and cause more issues, they need to look to the states to provide more competition and lower travel fees. As a point to the Europeans about travel, going from Newfoundland to BC is around an 8 hour flight!

Doesn't the US have their own "super league"? I thought there was talk, or even a game between the two winners.
 
Yes they do, but it is not quite the same set up as CRC. The CRC is like provincial teams (just some have more than one province to pick from), while the "super league" (based on a quick look) is more like a bunch of clubs that are committed to creating top level rugby. It looks good, but a perfect example of how it is not quite as competitive is the fact that there are 2 Chicago teams in the league.
 
The CRC gets under way this weekend everyone!!!! With two intriuiging contests, the Ontario Blues will be facing the Prairie Wolf Pack in Calgary at 3:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Here is a link to an excellent preview and lineups supplied by Rugby Canada as well a link to the free streamed broadcast of the game. A few of the players on Canada's 30 man RWC squad will be in action this weekend for thier respective teams.

http://http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=54354

As well the defending champions The Rock will be going up against the BC Bears who look to rebound from last years disastorous campaign although after this weekend they will be without many of their key players due to the RWC. The match takes place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Again here is a link to a preview and lineups, no information yet about a possible stream of the game.

http://http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?page=54353&clientID=3817&leagueID=0

The links don't seem to be working for some reason so I will direct you to the Rugby Canada website @ rugbycanada.ca where you can find the stories on the main news page.
 
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Well it looks as though Rugby Canada screwed up the broadcast of the game(not really a shock) but the results are in and unfortunately we missed a good game, as the Wolf Pack held off a Blues comeback to win 31-25(24-10 at half).

Here is a match report

http://http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1551:wolf-pack-edges-blues-at-canadian-championships&catid=76:men&Itemid=252

Prairie Wolf Pack: 31
Tries: Maguire 2, Gilmore 2, Blevins
Con: Wolff 2, Marcoux

Ontario Blues: 25
Tries: Piatek, Marshall, Pearson, McCann
Con: Piatek
Pens: Piatek

Elsewhere the BC bears got off to a great start with a big 43-19 win over defending champions The Rock.

The match report
http://http://islandsportsnews.net/25672/latest-news/six-try-british-columbia-down-defending-champs-in-crc-opener/


BC Points: 43
Tries: Conor Trainor 2, Jo Dolesau, Nathan Hirayama, Josh Clarke, Esava Nakulanisa
Pens: Hirayama
Con: Hirayama 5

Rock Points: 19
Tries: Morgan Lovell, Geoff Warden
Pens: Dean Blanks 3
 
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Well it looks as though Rugby Canada screwed up the broadcast of the game(not really a shock) but the results are in and unfortunately we missed a good game, as the Wolf Pack held off a Blues comeback to win 31-25(24-10 at half).

Here is a match report

http://http://www.rugbymag.com/inde...anadian-championships&catid=76:men&Itemid=252

Prairie Wolf Pack: 31
Tries: Maguire 2, Gilmore 2, Blevins
Con: Wolff 2, Marcoux

Ontario Blues: 25
Tries: Piatek, Marshall, Pearson, McCann
Con: Piatek
Pens: Piatek

Elsewhere the BC bears got off to a great start with a big 43-19 win over defending champions The Rock.

The match report
http://http://islandsportsnews.net/...columbia-down-defending-champs-in-crc-opener/


BC Points: 43
Tries: Conor Trainor 2, Jo Dolesau, Nathan Hirayama, Josh Clarke, Esava Nakulanisa
Pens: Hirayama
Con: Hirayama 5

Rock Points: 19
Tries: Morgan Lovell, Geoff Warden
Pens: Dean Blanks 3

Damn! ... I forgot about this ... I could have gone down to Calgary to watch the Wolf Pack beat Ontario :p ... sounds like it was a good match

... looks like BC are back with vengeance this year
 
Damn! ... I forgot about this ... I could have gone down to Calgary to watch the Wolf Pack

I think they play again on Monday, to be honest. You should check the website.

I am sure you are looking for any reason to get out of Deadmonton aka murder capital of Canada
 
This round included many of the RWC squad but they will no longer be available after this round so it will be intruiging to see how the teams adjust to holes in their lineup.

I had a feeling BC would be alot better this year after a very dissapointing campagin last year.

I think they play again on Monday, to be honest. You should check the website.

I am sure you are looking for any reason to get out of Deadmonton aka murder capital of Canada

Have you been dishonest with us before?

The next round takes place on Tuesday with the Ontario Blues facing up against BC at Kilhanie Park, and The Rock visit the Wolf Pack.

Here is the official website of the competition.

http://www.canadianrugbychampionship.com/
 
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The Prairie Wolf Pack avoided the heartbreak of a blown lead after they scored a late try to defeat Ontario Blues in the first round of the Canadian Rugby Championship. The Wolf Pack were looking comfortable at 24-10 before the Blues took advantage of their forwards' dominance to turn the tie on its head.

Andrew Cho, at hooker, and scrum-half James Buchanan put in outstanding performances, with captain Ryan Smith and Nick Blevins in fine, marauding form in the backline. Duncan Maguire and Kyle Gilmore were the try-scoring stars with two apiece and the clutch kicking of Christian Wolff saw the Wolf Pack home with six points to spare.

The first half suggested an easy win for the Wolf Pack at Calgary Rugby Park as they retained possession and forced errors from the Blues. The score was 17-10 at the break and another try for the home side led to a 14 point lead with 30 minutes left on the clock. However, with a slight wind in their favour and a pack that was imposing its sizeable presence, the Blues stormed back.

A 15-point scoring blitz, which included a well taken try from Seb Pearson, saw the game swing in the Blues' favour and the score was 25-24 with 10 minutes to go. Wolf Pack head coach, Col Jeffs said, "We expected (the Blues) to kick to the channels in the second half but they held onto the ball and forced us back. They bashed us at the scrum."

Jeffs praised the 'scrambling' qualities of a team that lost influential players such as Jeremy Kyne and Nanyak Dala through injury in the first half. The ability to scrap and fight for the ball saw the pressure build on the Blues in the closing stages. With eight minutes to go the Blues squandered possession after a sloppy line-out and the Wolf Pack struck with the clinching score.

Wolff added the extras and a converted try was the requirement if the Blues were to make a final comeback. Their forwards drove them up-field but errand passing was their downfall and the home side held out for a 31-25 win. "The boys did well," said Jeffs. "I'm very pleased with the effort and it gives us something to build on."

Blues manager Mark Winokur said, "There were a number of positives to take from a day that was ultimately disappointing. Our forwards really pushed theirs around and dominated the scrum. We came away with two bonus points too, which may prove vital in a five-game competition.

Conor McCann, who is only 18-years-old and was in his first CRC game, did excellently at centre and was the man of the match. Our biggest problem was turnovers through dropped ball and bad passes. Nonetheless, we go into the next game against BC with optimism."

Wolf Pack points: 31
Tries: Duncan Maguire x2, Kyle Gilmore x2, Nick Blevins
Conversions: Christian Wolff x2, Brennan Marcoux x1

Blues points: 25
Tries: Steven Piatek, Craig Marshall, Sebastian Pearson, Conor McCann
Conversions: Steven Piatek x1
Penalty: Steven Piatek x1
 
Bit upset that my buddy did not make the Blues team... on the bright side it means a better chance of him not being injured for my team... YAA!!!
 
From RC website:

Following a season opening loss to British Columbia on Saturday in West Vancouver, The Atlantic Rock have rebounded with a solid win over the Prairie Wolf Pack in Calgary - wrapping an intense two game road swing with a 1-1 record.

The Rock beat the Wolf Pack - a team who had last minute success over the Ontario Blues on Saturday, 29-8.

The Rock beat the Wolf Pack - a team who had last minute success over the Ontario Blues on Saturday, 29-8. (You can watch video of the game at http://www.ustream.tv/<WBR></WBR><WBR>recorded/16399102<WBR><WBR><WBR><WBR><WBR><WBR>)

The visitors got tries from Robert Wilson, Yannik Fortin and Rob Turk, and were bolstered with a fine kicking display from Dean Blanks who slotted four penalties and a conversion for 10 points on the night.

Calgary got a try from Dustin Luther - and Christian Wolff had a lone penalty.

Despite the win The Rock, a team made up of players from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, are in fourth place with four points in the table, while the Wolf Pack are tied for second with B.C. on 5 points.

Ontario tops the table with 7 points including a pair of bonus points for losing by less than seven and scoring four tries on a last minute 31-25 loss in Calgary on Saturday to the Wolf Pack.

Scoring:

The Rock:
Tries: Robert Wilson, Yannick Fortin, Rob Turk
Conversions: Dean Blanks
Penalties: Dean Blanks (4)

Prairie Wolf Pack
Try: Dustin Luther
Penalty Kick: Christian Wolff

and

The Ontario Blues produced a seven-try performance on Tuesday evening to defeat the British Columbia Senior Men's Provincial Team by a score of 46-21 in round two of the Canadian Rugby Championship.

After narrowly dropping their opener 31-25 in Calgary this past Saturday, Ontario came out firing and recorded three quick tries. Sebastian Pearson was first to go over with Daniel West and and Ryan MacSween soon following suit. Fly half Steve Piatek converted twice to have the Blues up 19-0 before notching another three points through a penalty.

Facing a 22-point deficit early on, it was an uphill battle for British Columbia for the remainder of the match.

"Our guys were desperate to put things right after our loss on Saturday and I think that showed early on," said Ontario head coach Rob Doyle. "Ultimately that made us want it more."

Ontario 46
Tries: Sebastian Pearson x2, Daniel West, Ryan Macsween, Dan Pletch, Kyle Armstrong, Tyler Ardron
Conversions: Steve Piatek x4
Penalties: Steve Piatek

British Columbia 21
Tries: Esava Nakulanisa, Sean Duke, Graeme Minty
Conversions: Connor Braid x3


</WBR></WBR></WBR></WBR></WBR></WBR></WBR>
 
Thanks formerlyfast, some surprising results as everyone has moved to 1-1, and away victories will be key. Dean Blanks looks back in form for the Rock. I guess we will see how the absence of the RWC players affects all the teams in the coming rounds.
 
Any chance of getting some better quality highlights up?
 
I think they play again on Monday, to be honest. You should check the website.

I am sure you are looking for any reason to get out of Deadmonton aka murder capital of Canada

:lol: ... really? ... what happened? ... did some Flames supporters go missing after the last match :D

... You clear the tumble weeds away from the main streets of Calgary, and maybe i'll come down :p
 
:lol: ... really? ... what happened? ... did some Flames supporters go missing after the last match :D

... You clear the tumble weeds away from the main streets of Calgary, and maybe i'll come down :p

highest murder rate in Canada, most mullets, Trans Ams, acid wash jeans, and converse with tongues sticking out, per captia......plus I never liked playing at Ellerslie.fields were crap.....
 
Any chance of getting some better quality highlights up?

I have been trying to find some Jayatron, right now their hasn't beeen much posted by the resepctive clubs or unions if I see any I will try to get them up.
 
So With Jebb Sinclair signing with London Irish and Chauncey O'Toole signing with Neath-Swansea Ospreys who are other Canadian players that could be picked up by big European clubs following this years world cup?
 
From the RC Website

Kelowna's Apple Bowl will play host to the Prairie Wolf Pack on Saturday as they take on a British Columbia side eager to make a winning impression on the locals. For the first time since 1970, representative level rugby returns to the Central Okanagan, and both sides know that a win will take them to the top of the Canadian Rugby Championship.

BC and the Wolf Pack opened their respective league campaigns with wins but sound defeats followed. BC leaked seven tries against Ontario Blues while the Wolf Pack were outmuscled and out-thought up front against The Rock. Optimism and despair come thick and fast during the five-game championship race to the top and one solid performance will set the victors up for a genuine tilt at the ***le.

BC head coach Kris de Scossa and the bulk of his squad arrived in Kelowna mid-week to prepare for a match that promises to simmer with neighbouring rivalry. "The players are really looking forward to playing at the Apple Bowl and we are honoured that the local community have pulled together to make this exciting event happen," he said.

The Wolf Pack forwards struggled at the scrum in their first two matches but de Scossa has nothing but praise for their 'very strong' front row. "They have fast, effective backs who cover well and capitalize on their opportunities," he added. BC's woes in their last game came courtesy of poor line-out play. The home side hope to address those issues with the inclusion of Burnaby Lake hooker Edvin Sabic.

Fly-half Bryan Tyrer comes into the side alongside Meraloma teammate, and BC captain, Eric Wilson. The back division contains Sean Duke and Sean Ferguson, who have enjoyed praiseworthy years with the Canada Sevens side. Their pace will be an added threat alongside the brute force of Esava Nakulanisa – an outstanding performer at this early stage of the season.

De Scossa commented, "This team has taken the glory, and they have taken the knocks. It will always be the performance that counts in this championship. Our performance in our opening game was near the mark, and our next match was below the mark. We have addressed those areas in training and look forward to performing at a higher level again."

Wolf Pack head coach Col Jeffs and his staff have a debriefing and a training session on Friday to address the pertinent issues in their game. Set pieces, scrum apart, have been very solid and players such as Kyle Gilmour, Christian Wolff and Nick Blevins have made noteworthy contributions. Wolff sits out this match with injury and a similar fate has seen the front-row shorn of the dependable Andrew Cho. "There are considerable changes to our squad from what we had in the first two games. Some of the younger guys are getting the opportunity to make a position theirs for the rest of the season," said Jeffs.

The Wolf Pack have studied footage of BC's opening league game and have received a scouting report from their last time out. However, Jeffs is nothing dwelling 'too much' on the opposition. He said, "Our focus, when we get together, will be on what we can make right. We need to work on our scrums and field position. We were pushing passes in the last game and spurned a few try chances by taking wrong options so we will look to right that."

There are three newcomers on the Wolf Pack bench and Jeffs will look to use his bench wisely and make sure there are fresh legs on the pitch in the final quarter. Temperatures in Kelowna in August are generally in the early 30s (Celsius) and the forecast for Saturday is sun, and lots of it. Jeffs added, "The incentive is to get back to Alberta with a win and to build on it. That is all the motivation we need."

* BC versus Prairie Wolf Pack takes place at 2.30pm on Saturday, August 13th at the Apple Bowl

British Columbia:
1. Rhodri Hanmer, 2. Edvin Sabic, 3. John MacKenzie, 4. Nathan Mantle, 5. Liam Chisholm, 6. Josh Clarke, 7. Chris Chalmers, 8. Aaron Goddard
9. Eric Wilson (capt.), 10. Bryan Tyrer, 11. Esava Nakulanisa, 12. Connor Braid, 13. Josefa Dolesau, 14. Sean Ferguson, 15. Sean Duke (UVic VIkes)

Reserves – 16. Anthony Luca, 17. Mike Georgas, 18. Scott Mackay, 19. Taylor Stogryn, 20. Colin McKenzie, 21. Johnny Morris, 22. Ben Thomson

Wolf Pack:
1. Chad Packard, 2. Dustin Brewka, 3. Ryan Ackerman, 4. Ian Huston, 5. Spence Massiah, 6. John Anderson, 7. Kyle Gilmour (capt.), 8. Clayton Panga
9 James Buchanan, 10. Mozac Samson, 11. Duncan Maguire, 12. Adam Bontus, 13. Nick Blevins, 14. Ian Shoults, 15. Brennan Marcoux

Reserves – 16. Dustin Luther, 17. Emil Christensen, 18. David Thom, 19. Josh Schlebach, 20. Jake Robinson, 21. Evan Thomas, 22. Carl Pocock


 

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