Americas Rugby Championship

[Melhor Time]

Going off the other discussion topic about this tournament people don't seem to know what its all about. The site is: www.americasrugbychampionship.com

The competition replaces two others:

1. The North American 4 which had two teams from the USA and two from Canada.

2. The Rugby Canada Super League (RCSL or Super League) which was the national Canadian comp for 11 years but was below the North American 4. It has also been replaced by the Rugby Canada National Junior Championship. This competition is an under 20 aged event. It is structured regionally for the simple reason that Canada is so huge. The four regions are the same as those Canada has in the new Americas Rugby Championship: Pacific, Prairie, Central, and Atlantic. The event is fantastic in that it has identified the regions in terms of ability and grouped them accordingly.

In the Americas Rugby Championship the teams are organized as follows:

- The Pacific is the Canadian rugby strong hold of British Colombia. Vancouver, BC is the base. The team is called the BC Bears.
- The Praire is everything from BC to Ontario i.e. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The team is based in Calgary, Alberta. The team is called Prairie Wolf Pack
- Ontario is the equivalent of the region known as 'central' in the Canadian National Championship. It is based in Canada's largest city, Toronto. In the Americas Rugby Championship the team's name is the Ontario Blues.
- The fourth team is the Atlantic selection which is consists of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Foundland & Labrador and Quebec (French Canada). The team is based in St. Johns, New Foundland & Labrador and is known as The Rock.

This is a possible recipe for a team in the Super 14 or in an Americas pro event similar to the Super 14. It is regionalization at its best. Something that should indeed work. The plan is to expand to six which should mean the Atlantic is split into possibly 3 zones. The only negative witht he current format is French Canada being grouped together. Possibly this won't go down well with folks.

Below I have singled out Ryan Smith as he is the only player from the Prairie region who played for Canada in the 2008 tour of Wales, Ireland and Scotland. He is a former professional for Montauban in France and is indeed a good player. He got a very good try against Wales in the November 2008 test. I have also singled out Frank Walsh for the same reason: the only player from the Rock to have been on the tour. In other words, the regions are the sizes they are with good reason. Something esle that is Imensely important to know is that Canada have fewer lpayers from its national team playing for European clubs than the USA does. Canada is also not involved in the IRB World Sevens Series, excluding the USA zone, unlike Argentina and the USA who play in all of the events. This Americas Rugby Championship should therefore be applauded by rugby fans worldwide for highlights the needs and doing something about it.

Bravo.

Here is a match report from the first game:

http://www.americasrugbychampionship.com/l...&page=37791

-----------------------------------
<span style="font-family:arialhelvetica">

The Rock
Tries Chauncey O'Toole , Jebb Sinclair , Frank Walsh , Rob Wilson , Tyler Wish
Conversions Dean Blanks 3
Penalty

Prairie Wolfpack
Tries Tyler Hawes , Jordan Kohn , Dustin MacPherson
Conversions Stephen Woodward
Penalty Stephen Woodward 2


The Rock
15 Mozac Samson
14 Jordan Kohn
13 Nick Blevins
12 Ryan Smith
11 Chris Thompson
10 Stephen Woodward
9 Kent Plewes
8 Milan Mrdjenovich
7 Nanyak Dala
6 Jeremy Kyne
5 Jon Belanger
4 Joshua Schlebach
3 Andrew Tiedemann
2 Tom Malin
1 Thomas Dolezel
16 Tyler Hawes (For 3 Tiedemann at 77 minutes)
17 Travis Robertson (For 1 Dolezel at 68 minutes)
18 Spencer Massiah (For 4 Schlebach at 77 minutes)
19 Russel Meidinger (For 2 Malin at 71 minutes)
20 Sam Val Zehan (For 6 Kyne at 68 minutes)
21 Christen Wulff (For 15 Samson at 66 minutes)
22 Dustin MacPherson (For 13 Blevins at 75 minutes)

Praire Wolfpack
15 Morgan Lovell
14 Simon Pacey
13 Ciaran Hearn
12 Tyler Wish
11 Rob Wilson
10 Dean Blanks
9 Adam Paul
8 Kevin Parfrey
7 Chauncey O'Toole
6 Jebb Sinclair
4 Simon Pitfield
3 Dan King
2 Rob Wright
1 Frank Walsh
16 Rod Snow (For 3 King at 33 minutes)
17 Owen Parfrey (For 2 Wright at 64 minutes)
18 Phil Alcock (For 1 Walsh at 71 minutes)
19 Brad Lester (For 5 Mooney at 64 minutes)
20 Brent Rowney (For 9 Paul at 64 minutes)
21 Thomas Kimball (For 7 O'Toole at 77 minutes)
22 Geoff Warden (For Pacey at 40 minutes)

 

[Melhor Time]

Please note, the website has team lists under the heading of the wrong team in this match report.

 

[Melhor Time]

BC Bears 29-24 Ontario Blues

A good game with seven tries. Its definetly smart of the IRB and Rugby Canada to have this tournament take place now, in late summer rather than during the winter. The rugby is open and high scoring. The Canadian test side is usually overly focused on forwards play which works against them against first tier opposition. Their back play is too often defensive which can hide the skills of the backs. This was notable in the loss against the USA a few months ago and during the 2007 World Cup. The lack of quality playmakers has, of course, not helped. This may all be set to change as Canada appear to have found their own Dan Carter or Juan Hernandez in 21 year old Japanese-Canadian, Nathan Hirayama. How talented is this guy? I have been following this guy for the past few years since I saw him play aged group rep rugby and was impressed. He debuted vs Portugal in November. He looks to me to be the first Canadian flyhalf to have all the skills since Gareth Rees. Canada's lack of options at 10 has gone against them in important matches since 2000. The 2003 RWC game vs Italy could have been a win had they had a talented 10, Italy nearly lost. In 2007 Canada lacked pivotal play in all their matches and it cost them when they had chances to win 3 of their 4 pool matches. Nathan Hirayama could be the difference. Ander Monro is not very good and Ryan Smith is better at 12. Put him at 10 and build the backs around him. He is only 21 so will be good for three World Cup's. Given his ancestry, I'm sure he'd be looking foward towards the 2019 World Cup. He should be Canada's 10 in the November tests vs Japan.

BC should be the strongest Canadian side after this win. Interestingly, the two games so far have produced great back play, particularly from the centres. Ryan Smith missed tackles last week as Hearn and Wish broke the line. While yesterday Jenkins had a great performance playing 12 outside Hirayama. This is great for Canada as DTH van der Merwe has been outstanding since moving to 13 from the wing for the national side. This competition is giving Canada just what they need. The message of this should feed off to everyone. It is possible thanks to the IRB making huge profits from the 2007 World Cup in France. 2011 in New Zealand is not going to be as lucrative and is not going to break any new ground unlike 2019 in Japan.

Players in blue are Canadian test players.

BC Bears

Scoring 14 of his team’s 29 points, 21-year-old Nathan Hirayama led the Bears to a 29-24 victory over the visiting Ontario Blues at Brockton Oval in Vancouver.

The Americas Rugby Championship match was the first for both squads, but the predictable nerves settled after a short tennis match of kicks, and the 2000-strong crowd was treated to a quality rugby game.

The Bears stuck to a game plan of smartly kicking for territory, and though Ontario’s back three played deep for the full 80, the Blues could not make good on any of their counters.

Gritty Pat Riordan’s efforts around the breakdown earned the ugly yards and led to the first of BC’s four tries, when athletic wing Sean Duke finished off an elementary overlap.

Hirayama found repeated success from left of the uprights when kicking for goal, and successfully converted Duke’s score.

An array of BC penalties initially thwarted the Bears’ momentum, but as head coach Mike James eluded to in the pregame, the basics done well won the match for the home side.

Stalwart Bears’ defence led the Blues to settle for a 40 metre penalty by standoff Steve Piatek, who used his boot to put his own dent on Saturday’s scoresheet with 9 points.

The midfield pairing of Sam Jenkins and Harry Jones worked well offensively for the Bears. Jones, whose stature and distributing style of play is reminiscent of Allblacks centre Conrad Smith, put up an up and under that was recovered well by wing Derek Townsend and eventually scored by lock Brian Erichsen.

Against the grain of play, the Blues recovered a loose ball off the side of a ruck and scored a try after an impressive set of offloads over an 80 metre span, bringing the tally to 14-10 just before the halftime whistle.

In perfect conditions, the lineouts were a bright spot for both squads. A slight and eventual edge would be given to the Bears in scrums, though the Blues’ coupling of the Pletch brothers in the front row proved a good challenge for the Bears.

All of BC’s tries were sparked by spectacular individual efforts. Hirayama was the catalyst of a 40 metre gain when he held his man with a glacier’s patience, offloading at the last minute to Jenkins. The very next play saw Sean White neatly use the space out wide, stepping two Blues players for an easy five points.

Hirayama settled his 14-point tab with a try, the result of a remarkable one-handed pickup by fullback White.

The Bears, having earned the bonus point, allowed both complacency and the Blues to creep back into the match and had 14 unanswered points scored against them as a result.

The narrow scoreline really was not indicative of the contest, but the Blues slowly wore down the Bears for two tries, the final points of the game dotted down by plucky Blues centre Steve Shortly, who only had to fall over the line when the ball unexpectedly bounced into his hands.

Blues manager Mark Winokur was disappointed at the outcome of the match, but said it was a good starting point for the Blues’ ARC campaign.

“It was a constructive game, high quality, but BC took advantage of our mistakes. We’re pretty happy to walk away with the bonus point. The match today has left us with a few things to work on this week before our game against the Wolfpack in Toronto.â€

The Bears have given themselves a solid platform to work from for the rest of the ARC competition, and can take solace in the knowledge that the only points given up were because of their own doing.

An uneven penalty count in the Blues’ favour will give the Bears some pause at training this week in preparation for next Saturday’s away match against The Rock, but BC prop Rhodri Hanmer is encouraged with the implications of today’s win.

“Our structure needs to improve, and our defence and penalty count can tighten up, but we got the win and the bonus point so we’ve put ourselves in a good starting position to reach our goal of winning the ARC competition.â€

The Bears travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland to face The Rock on Saturday, September 19. The Bears and the Rock are tied at the top of the ARC points table as the Rock won their first ARC match against The Wolfpack last week in Calgary.

FT: 29 - 24
HT: 14 â€" 10

BC Tries: Duke, Erichsen, White, Hirayama
Cons: Hirayama (3)
Pens: Hirayama

ON Tries: Dunham, Brown, Shortly
Cons: Piatek (3)
Pens: Piatek

 

[Prestwick]

This is fantastic. Melhor, if you want to do a weekly report to go on the front page and the forum, let us know and we can make it happen!

 

[frntline]

I love the idea of getting rid of the NA4 just a useless tournament now i just wish the USA Super League would join this like Canada did.

 

[Prestwick]

Apart from Hirayama, who else is putting in decent performances? How far will this go to raising the standard of Canadian rugby?

Does anything think theres a chance Japan coach John Kirwan will try and tempt Hirayama away from Canada to play for Japan?

 

[Melhor Time]

Frntline

I agree. I think that this must be the intention of the IRB. From what I understand there is a long term goal of expanding the Rugby Americas Championship (r.a.c) to be far larger. The way it is working in its first year is that the 4 Canadian teams play round-robin to determine a winner who will play the winner of USA A and Argentina A (Jaguars). This year is ther first and so the IRB will be closely looking at how successful it is. The first two games got crowds of 1,000 and 2,000 which I think is a very positive outcome. What the IRB should look to do together with USA rugby is, like you say, replace the USA Super League so that the USA has top sides joint like Canada does for the r.a.c or have the USA Super League be similar to the domestic Welsh championship or the New Zealand Cup. The R.A.C is similar to the Super 14 afterall because it is made up of combined teams not actual ones from the member countries. In short, USA Rugby and the IRB should identify four regional teams like Rugby Canada have and have them play together at the same time as the Rock, Prairies, Bears and Blues are. It would be a separate conference with the winner advancing to play the winner of the Canadian conference in a final or a semi final witht he winner of that playing the Argentina Jaguars.

Prestwick

If you want to, then yes, do it. You are welcome to post this, or anything of mine, on the front page if you think it is of merit.

In terms of the players doing well other than Nathan Hirayama I think there are a quite a lot doing well. I think the players who have stood out are: Luke Cudmore (second row, BC Bears), whose brother is a leading secondrow in the Top 14 for Clermont, Chauncey O'Toole (backrow, The Rock), Sam Jenkins and Harry Jones (centres, Bears), Tyler Wish (centre, The Rock), Frank Walsh (prop, The Rock), the Blues front row and, of course, Canadian captain Riordan (hooker, Bears).

 

[Melhor Time]

The third week of the first Americas Rugby Championship (A.R.C) took place yesterday with two games as the four Canadian teams all played for the second time. Anybody doubting the quality of the tournament and the importance of it for the Canadian test team should think again. The tournament has geographically divided the worlds second largest country into four regions that are based on rugby strength rather than population, culture or size. This, of course, replaced the North America 4 which had separated Canada into Canada East and Canada West. The A.R.C seems to have divided the sides perfectly and after two matches per team only one side is undefeated (BC Bears) and the only team to have lost both games (Ontario Blues) is considered to be a heavyweight in Canadian rugby. The Blues, despite having five test players in their XV lost to a side (Prairie Wolfpack) with only one test player. The Blues are based on one Canadian province but they lost against a team made up of three provinces who, I repeat, have only one test player and whose players have an average age of 24. Clearly, Rugby Canada and the IRB have done a superb job in determining the regions. All matches have been competitive.

This is a model which should be used if and when the A.R.C expands to include additional conferences, starting with the United States. Identifying ability and constructing teams based on this is working in Canada. The USA would be good to do just this by, for instance, having a Pacific team (based in San Francisco) a Rocky Mountains team (based in Denver), a midwest / South combined team based in Chicago or Dallas and an Atlantic team (from Virginia to Maine). Such a conference would take place at the same time as the Canadian conference with the top side advancing just like the top Canadian side.

Of the two matches played on Saturday a major upset took place with the Prairie Wolfpack defeating the Ontario Blues 14-13 in Markham (greater Toronto), Ontario. There were two tries in the match with Blues scrumhalf, Josh Green, scoring a try late in the first half and Wolfpack backrower, Jeremy Kyne scoring for the Wolfpack in the second. This result means that the Blues face the wooden spoon as they have one game remaining vs Candian Atlantic team The Rock next Saturday at the same venue, Fletcher's FieldsClay Panga (for 10 Hirayama at 61 minutes)</span>

BC
Tries: Jones
Pens: Hirayama

The Rock
Tries: Hearn
Cons: Blanks

 

[QLD]

Great news.

 

[Prestwick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melhor Time @ Sep 17 2009, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Prestwick

If you want to, then yes, do it. You are welcome to post this, or anything of mine, on the front page if you think it is of merit.

In terms of the players doing well other than Nathan Hirayama I think there are a quite a lot doing well. I think the players who have stood out are: Luke Cudmore (second row, BC Bears), whose brother is a leading secondrow in the Top 14 for Clermont, Chauncey O'Toole (backrow, The Rock), Sam Jenkins and Harry Jones (centres, Bears), Tyler Wish (centre, The Rock), Frank Walsh (prop, The Rock), the Blues front row and, of course, Canadian captain Riordan (hooker, Bears). [/b]

Done and done, check out the front page!

 

[Melhor Time]

So its the Bears vs the Blues

The final round of the Canadian conference took place on Saturday with two games of expansive running rugby. The competition continued to show how well organized it is with the only team yet to win a game, the Ontario Blues, getting a good win and thanks to earlier picking up bonus points in their two losses they find themselves in a semi final (final of Canadian conference but A.R.C semi final) against the only undefeated side, the BC Bears. The Blues had been all but written off but won, and won big and in doing so jumped from fourth to second ahead of the two multi-provincial Canadian teams: The Rock and the Prairie Wolf Pack.

The Ontario Blues showed how crucial bonus points are in rugby tournaments. They needed a big win and needed to start strongly and thats exactly what transpired. Before the first minute of the match had been completed the Blues were winning 7-0 thanks to a try to outside centre Mike Scholz. Remarkably, their dominance over a highly rated side, The Rock, continued for the entire first half as they scored two more tries and the scoreboard read 25-0. Test centre, Derek Daypack scored the second try and backrower, Mark MacSween the third. The second half had less points scored with each team scoring one try each. Test prop, Frank Walsh scored for The Rock and Blues flyhalf highlighted his strong performance with an intercept try shortly thereafter. The Rock will be very disappointed with their performance, after playing so well in their other two matches. Many players have stood out for The Rock with the likes of Ciaran Hearn, Tyler Wish, Chauncey O'Toole and Frank Walsh certain to make the national team.
Nick Blevins

 

[Melhor Time]

Two contrasting semi finals took place yesterday in North America with the favorites winning both matches and setting up a final next weekend (October 17th) at Fletcher Fields in Toronto. The final will kick off at 3:30pm following the Bronze Final which will be played at the same venue at 1:00pm

In the first semi final Denver, Colorado played host to the USA Select XV vs Argentina Jaguars. It was a game to better understand the depth of both countries talent pools and to prepare for the November international window when the USA will play two crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Argentina tour England, Wales and Scotland. It was the final chance for many players from both countries to impress and in the case of the visitors this certainly happened. Argentina have lost two French based backrowers to injury (Leguizamon and Galindo) for November and needed players to shine. Thats what happened with the backrow of Leonardo Senatore, Rodrigo Bruno and Dino Caceres all putting in strong performances. Senatore may well have earned a test call up.

The game was an 8 try to 1 thrashing in snowy conditions as one of Argentina's young talented flyhalves, Benjamin Urdapilleta, was able to control proceedings after his forwards overpowered the North Americans. Urdapilleta scored 22 points, including the games first try in the first minute of the match. When winger, Martin Bustos Moyano scored 6 minutes latter, the Jaguars were winning 12-0 and looking like running away with the game. The USA Select XV scored their first points through a penalty to San Francisco centre, Volney Rouse in the 13th minute but the resolve of the Jaguars was unchanged as promising second rower, Carlos Caceres scored a try two minutes latter which Urdapilleta converted and then kicked a penalty in the 23rd minute to give the visitors a 22-3 lead. USA Select XV's Outside centre, Corey Blair, scored the games next points when he scored the only try for the North Americans in the 29th minute. Rouse converted to encourage the home side but, again, with Jaguars players trying their best to impress the Pumas selectors, they scored two more first half tries with sevens star, and Jaguars centre Horacio San Martin scoring in the 32nd minute and Leonardo Senatore in the 34th. Urdapilleta converted both.

The Jaguars scored 21 points in the second half with the backs again dominating. The first was scored by fullback, Lucas Berra Oro, in the 45th minute, the second by wing, Juan Imhoff and the third by replacement fullback, Federico Nicolas Sanchez 3 minutes from full time. The USA Select XV failed to score a point in the second half.

The extent of the win for the South Americans is something that will have made the visiting players and coaches happy but would have done just the opposite for the hosts. Without doubt, the result is a strong reflection of the success of the PladAR system which has given Argentina a domestic professional player base of over forty players. It is also a strong indication of the depth Argentina have as they look to keep as many leading players as possible in Argentina in time for the country's inclusion in the expanded Tri Nations in 2012.

In the second semifinal which was also the Canadian final, the BC Bears completed a perfect season by defeating the Ontario Blues 12-8 at MacDonald Park in Victoria, BC to remain undefeated. It was a drastically different game to the first semifinal with only one try scored in a tight game dominated by the forwards and by kicking with plenty of highballs put up by both sides. The Blues had the better of play early on but the favourites showed just how good they are by not panicing and controlling things as the game went on. The backs were not able to contribute to the game as the defense of both sides cancelled out both teams backlines. The defence was strong but came at a cost for the visitors as they gave away kickable penalties which ultimately cost them the match. Ontario Blues Flyhalf, Steve Piatek, summed it up well in saying “We did everything well, including giving up penalties. We’ll just have to take this into next week and prove we should’ve won today. It’s always fun to beat up on the Americans.â€

The Blues scored the games first points as Piatek, kicked a first half penalty. Sadly, for his team it would be the only goal scored for Ontario. They scored the games only try early on in the game with centre, Mike Scholz scoring. The Bears were losing and needed to respond well in the second half. They did as Nathan Hirayama continued his good form to finish the game with four penalities to give the Bears victory and in doing so win the MacTier Cup as Candian champions for 2009.

The game was a great opportunity for many players to impress before the November tests against Japan and Russia and underlined, once again, the success and importance of the tournament for Canadian rugby. The final should see the Jaguars winning but the Bears will not give up easily and will certainly be competitive. The fixture following the final on October 21 when Canada 'A' play the Argentina Jaguars is an outstanding opportunity that all Bears players will not want to miss.


<span style="font-family:arialhelvetica">It was not pretty, but the BC Bears were able to ride Nate Hirayama’s four penalties to edge the Ontario Blues by a score of 12 â€" 8 at MacDonald Park in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Blues’ defensive pressure kept the Bears from crossing the try line in the ARC semi-final, but four costly penalties within Hirayama’s range ultimately proved the difference.
Having smartly rode the underdog façade into Saturday’s match, the Ontario Blues made a convincing case to be the Canadian champions and looked to surprise the home side when flyhalf Steve Piatek split the uprights for a quick three.
BC had to rely on a number of shoe-string tackles to keep Ontario from turning their strong defence into more than the five points from centre Mike Scholz’s early try.

Coming into the semi-final, the Bears had scored the most points in the Canadian round-robin play and the Blues had given up the least, so Saturday’s low and narrow score was not entirely surprising.

The match took almost the full first 40 to take shape, as both teams resorted to put the ball in the air. When it moved to the ground, the heated rivalry materialized into a yellow card for each squad.

The Bears’ usual arsenal was neutralized and the match turned into a duel of the flyhalves, former teammates at the University of Victoria. Each was instrumental for their sides, trading perfectly weighted kicks for territory.

Hirayama, the overall points leader with 48, acknowledged Ontario’s early bid for the win and credits the close scoreline to their defence.

“Especially going into the second half, [the Blues] had us worried. I think we were on defence most of the game. Ontario did well to pressure us on offense and their counterattack was good; we didn’t have many options when it came to kicking.â€

Though the win came at the hand of Hirayama’s foot, Piatek actually had a better strike rate at 87% entering this match, but the Bears’ flyhalf was able to make the Blues pay for their infractions on the 40m line.

Piatek was frustrated that the Blues, after holding the Bears try-less, gave up crucial penalties that now sees his squad playing for third place rather than first next week at the ARC Final.

“We did everything well, including giving up penalties. We’ll just have to take this into next week and prove we should’ve won today. It’s always fun to beat up on the Americans.â€

Formerly awarded to the winner of the Canadian Super League, the MacTier Cup was presented to the BC Bears on Saturday for earning the Canadian ***le.

The ARC Final took shape as the international component of the competition began today with a semi-final in Glendale, Colorado between the Argentina Jaguars and the USA Select XV.

Argentina took the match easily, beating their American counterparts 57 - 10.

Fletcher’s Fields in Markham, Ontario will host the two final ARC matches on October 17. In the Bronze Final, the Ontario Blues will square off against the USA Select XV at 1pm.

In the inaugural ARC Championship Final, the BC Bears, as the Canadian representatives and undefeated to date, take on the Argentina Jaguars at 3.30pm.

Scoring

Ontario Blues
Try: Mike Scholtz
Penalty: Steve Piatek

BC Bears
Penalties: Nathan Hirayama (4)

 

[Melhor Time]

Argentina Jaguars won the championship on Saturday with a good win based on a strong second half performance. The BC Bears were competitive in the first half but the Jaguars proved tgoo strong. Argentina had a few strong performers who will play in the November tests. Firstly, Canada 'A' host the Jaguars in a few says time. The Alberta Blues defeated the USA select XV but got there only just but good on them for the win.

A great first tournament! Great prep for Canada's tour of Japan in November. The USA will be ready for Uruguay at the same time. Ngwenya is on fire.

I don't have the time to write more sorry....

 

[Gaetan]

I'm quite new at watching rugby. My university (Universite Laval in Quebec city Canada) brang me to this sport.
I'm from the french part of Canada (Quebec) so bear with my english


What about the "American National rugby league"? http://amnrl.com

Does it work in some harmony with the ARC? What is the two entity relation, are they in good term?
I know that in France all the teams and league do their things under one umbrella. I got the feeling that something like this should sprout in America. How about Mexico, It'll be great if they joined.
I'm just a novive in this, I may have it all wrong.

 

[Thingimubob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaetan @ Nov 1 2009, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm quite new at watching rugby. My university (Universite Laval in Quebec city Canada) brang me to this sport.
I'm from the french part of Canada (Quebec) so bear with my english


What about the "American National rugby league"? http://amnrl.com

Does it work in some harmony with the ARC? What is the two entity relation, are they in good term?
I know that in France all the teams and league do their things under one umbrella. I got the feeling that something like this should sprout in America. How about Mexico, It'll be great if they joined.
I'm just a novive in this, I may have it all wrong.[/b]

You do slightly but dw about it, easy mistake to make. American National 'Rugby League' is the Rugby League (as in not Rugby Union, which is what the ARC is a competition of) so from a separate sport altogether.

 

[zxsw85]

Gooo Canada!

 

[Candyman]

This is Great!! I always wondered what sort of comp was run in the US and Canada!!

Great reading and sound like a good comp!! Keep the updates coming!

 

[Fa'atau82]

Totally random, but when i was at the 7's at Twickenham last, i appeared to meet Neil Meechan's entire travelling entourage. Is he any good? The 15 people he had there who knew him seemed to think so!

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Do no players from the USA play for European clubs? I thought some did

 

[Flyin Ryan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (go on the irish @ Dec 5 2009, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Do no players from the USA play for European clubs? I thought some did[/b]

Some do. They purposely weren't called in for this tournament. They had a busy summer with the national team and then in November having to play RWCQs against Uruguay, and it was thought it'd be best for them to be with their clubs overseas. So this was a "U.S. Clubs All-Stars" side.