2013 Pacific Nations Cup: Japan vs. Canada 19/06/13

[psychic duck]

Not as bad a starting XV as I was expecting. I thought Canada may just wave this fixture and try and regroup to get a healthy side back for August. The bench though, outside the front row must have less than about 10 caps worth of experience?

Still, I wonder how the 3 day turnaround and travel through time zones could effect this side. On paper in normal circumstances the starting XV should give a good effort and make it a good match, but if they do feel the effects of the travel and struggle and the inexperienced bench comes on then there is a chance it could fall apart and be 2009 again.

What may possibly prevent 2009 happening again is that Japan may also be tired from their game (apparently one particular player drunk a lot after their win according to some reports), but of course they haven't had to travel. Their team is on Oceania Rugby as well and surprisingly they haven't made all that many changes as I expected. They have nearly completely changed their front five, but other than that it is the same team.

 

[LittleGuy]

Not as bad a starting XV as I was expecting. I thought Canada may just wave this fixture and try and regroup to get a healthy side back for August. The bench though, outside the front row must have less than about 10 caps worth of experience?

Still, I wonder how the 3 day turnaround and travel through time zones could effect this side. On paper in normal circumstances the starting XV should give a good effort and make it a good match, but if they do feel the effects of the travel and struggle and the inexperienced bench comes on then there is a chance it could fall apart and be 2009 again.

What may possibly prevent 2009 happening again is that Japan may also be tired from their game (apparently one particular player drunk a lot after their win according to some reports), but of course they haven't had to travel. Their team is on Oceania Rugby as well and surprisingly they haven't made all that many changes as I expected. They have nearly completely changed their front five, but other than that it is the same team.

I'll go find the lineup of Japan there Psychic and add it in. Agreed with your analyisis of Canada I was expecting them to send all the 7's guys away and than field a bare bones side. Jason Marshall was tweeting earlier today that the team is feeling the jet lag a little, hopefully they can adjust in the next 36 hours a bit. He also had this amazing tweet, sentiments that I wish more players would share....https://twitter.com/Jason_Marshall_/status/346730512993361921

The bench outside of Dolezel and Tieddemann has a grand total of 10 caps I believe (6 of which are Barkwill's, 2 for Wilson, 2 for Parfrey and 0 for everyone else.) Neither of the two props has played particularly well this June either and I expect Barkwill will be the only "impact" sub, though Wilson did do fairly well in November and has experience at a decent domestic level, everyone else are just kids(good prospects mind you but very thrown to the wolves).

I think if the trophy(and Raeburn Shield) hadn't have been on the line we may have seen a joke Canadian squad, picking up a win in the competition would be pretty big for us and might help draw some sponsors and media interest.

 

[LittleGuy]

Are you referring to his height or player rating?

I'm tired, so maybe this is "over my head" at the moment but I really don't get this.....

 

[canadafan]

I'll go find the lineup of Japan there Psychic and add it in. Agreed with your analyisis of Canada I was expecting them to send all the 7's guys away and than field a bare bones side. Jason Marshall was tweeting earlier today that the team is feeling the jet lag a little, hopefully they can adjust in the next 36 hours a bit. He also had this amazing tweet, sentiments that I wish more players would share....https://twitter.com/Jason_Marshall_/status/346730512993361921

The bench outside of Dolezel and Tieddemann has a grand total of 10 caps I believe (6 of which are Barkwill's, 2 for Wilson, 2 for Parfrey and 0 for everyone else.) Neither of the two props has played particularly well this June either and I expect Barkwill will be the only "impact" sub, though Wilson did do fairly well in November and has experience at a decent domestic level, everyone else are just kids(good prospects mind you but very thrown to the wolves).

I think if the trophy(and Raeburn Shield) hadn't have been on the line we may have seen a joke Canadian squad, picking up a win in the competition would be pretty big for us and might help draw some sponsors and media interest.

Good on Marshall, my guess about Sinclair is that they just gave him a break. By the way Phelan has signed for a D3 club in France.

 

[LittleGuy]

Good on Marshall, my guess about Sinclair is that they just gave him a break. By the way Phelan has signed for a D3 club in France.

The Federale 1 isn't too bad probably one of the highest level semi-pro leagues out there. Give me a shout if know the team, I think Benoit Piffero who was on the 44 man side was playing there until recently.

 

[canadafan]

Lille., http://www.rugby-transferts.com/top-14/racing-metro-92/0021155-federale-1-lille-frappe-fort.html

 

[LittleGuy]

Looks like my rain dance worked....

 

[canadafan]

rain is our only hope!

 

[LittleGuy]

Nice Recycling by the boys, great phases, 3-0, Pritch closing on 500 points...

Edit: Discipline letting us down...cheap penalties luckily Japan are not taking advantage.

Edit Edit: Underwood attacking the line is nice, just needs to do that little extra to get those offloads to stick...

 

[Intent]

They just feel sluggish. The urgency is there but it's not.. consistent.

The rain can't help, of course.

 

[LittleGuy]

They just feel sluggish. The urgency is there but it's not.. consistent.

The rain can't help, of course.

My sentiments as well, lots of aimless kicking by both sides as well...you know when Carpenter is laying in grubber kicks its not a day for running rugby....

 

[LittleGuy]

3-0 Canada at half time....not exactly a classic so far, though not as terrible as scoreline would suggest.

 

[psychic duck]

This is a terribly sloppy game. Both sides feeling effects of short turnarounds? Add to that weather. Japan have had most territory, but Canada holding firm, they will be by far the happiest with that first half. Japan should have taken the points on offer.

 

[Intent]

Not sure I should have stayed up for this game. Not slow enough to put me to sleep and not fast enough to keep me excited. My head keeps doing that flop-and-snap-awake move.

edit:

Canada would want to keep it a forwards game in this weather and match-up but I think they're all too knackered after this run of games. If Japan can keep up this pressure, they'll get some tries.

 

[LittleGuy]

Barkwill is on, bench isn't very deep aside from him....can Hearn actually hit one of these long ones again?

Edit: uggghhhhh Paris what are you thinking?

 

[Intent]

poor Aaron is having a terrible day

 

[LittleGuy]

Normally I'd say start ringing the changes but with that bench.....3-3 now, anyone else considering the usual Canada vs. Japan result as well

 

[LittleGuy]

Hearn!!!!!!

 

[Intent]

Wonderful response to that penalty. Great vision, great support, great grit. Lovely try.

 

[LittleGuy]

Now the forwards playing well....White quietly having a pretty good game again, made the one handling error but has been pretty solid aside from that.