Canada v. England Saxons

[heinzy]

Yeah, a real shocker from Hearn, very disappointing as he is a strong runner. We are playing very soft and are getting pushed around by the English...disappointing peformance so far by Canada.

Hiriyama is bad too....he should stay in 7s. WAY too soft for XV, it reminds me when anyone plays an Asian team and they just run over them, that's all he ever does is let people by Geordan Murphy style and dance far too much. ****ed up that try by being too complacent.

 

[LittleGuy]

Yeah, a real shocker from Hearn, very disappointing as he is a strong runner. We are playing very soft and are getting pushed around by the English...disappointing peformance so far by Canada.

Missing Fairhurst was devastating White has struggled, some mental lapses from a couple of players, Hearn, Hirayama there. I think the scoreline is flattering the Saxons a little, but they have taken their chances while Canada hasn't.

 

[Teh Mite]

I wouldn't mind Miles Benjamin being in the England squad....

If Strettle can be in the EPS as just a wing, then why not put Benjamin in instead? He's actually good

Sadly that always gets said. Paul Sackey immediately springs to mind.

 

[heinzy]

Yeah Benjamin is looking great, same with Clegg, never really rated either of them before. Our props were fairly useless, Riordan was ok, scrummaging against Matt Stevens isn't even fair LOL. Oh well. Saxons were a good quality side and it showed.

What's all this talk about the last ever Churchill Cup? What will be replacing it if anything? I think this tourny is great for Canadian rugby...it's better than nothing anyway.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, but Benjamin isn't just a "run in a straight line and hope for the best" winger like Sackey/Varndell/Vainikolo/Strettle/any other flavour of the year type winger, he's actually a good rugby player


One for the future, anyhow





Edit: I didn't realise it was the last Churchill Cup either, I looked it up and it's because USA and Canada are doing proper June tours from 2012 onwards, so they don't need the Churchill Cup to expose them to international rugby
I'd've still kept it though

 

[Teh Mite]

The reasoning behind that is because there aren't regular competitors - Ireland A and NZ Maori being notable absentees this year - so they've deemed it not worth much.

A dumb idea IMO, even if I'm not in the slightest bit bothered it. It's not for the major nations benefit anyway.

 

[04perryo]

Who does benjamin play for oh its worcester hahaha. Ive met him many times lol

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Our props were fairly useless, Riordan was ok, scrummaging against Matt Stevens isn't even fair LOL.

Usually I'd agree with that, but I thought Marshall and Buydens played pretty well today. It seems as if Cudmore has brought a bit more stability to the scrum.

Also, White had another shocker today; those box kicks were dreadful, we were missing Fairhurst bad. On the plus side, the defence was pretty damn good and with a healthy DTH and Kleeberger in the lineup I think this game could have been closer. Tkachuk will help too. Overall, I'm content with how the Churchill Cup went, I think we're gonna destroy the Americans in the warm-up games.

 

[iWin]

I'd be interested to see how many games the Saxons get to play now. Without the Churchill cup they're probably going to sort of disappear...

Also, with regard to Benjamin, I genuinely think Strettle is a better player at the moment and would have him instead, but Benjamin has got to be next in line.
Can't wait to see him in a full England shirt. Sharples too. That kid is ridiculously quick.

How would you guys rate Clegg's chances of getting in the initial England squad after that performance? I'd like to see him there but don't know if Johnson and co will want to go for him if they can choose someone of similar standard with more experience...

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Edit: I didn't realise it was the last Churchill Cup either, I looked it up and it's because USA and Canada are doing proper June tours from 2012 onwards, so they don't need the Churchill Cup to expose them to international rugby
I'd've still kept it though

I'd much rather see Canada join the Pacific Nations Cup. Playing full on tests against the likes of Japan, Samoa, Fiji, etc. would be way more beneficial than the Churchill Cup, in my opinion.

 

[Teh Mite]

I'd sooner recall Olly Barkley then have Clegg anywhere near a real England shirt.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't think Clegg has a chance of getting in until after the WC

Flyhalves in the 40 man will be Flood, Wilkinson and Hodgson
Flutey with the ability to cover as well
Outside shout will be Twelvetrees who is similar to Flutey in that he's a 12 who can play 10 in a crisis (though Twelvetrees is a better 10 than Flutey, I feel)

 

[LittleGuy]

In a small consolation to the Canadian squad Chauncey O'Toole was named Tournament MVP, hopefully some club sides will give him another look for next year's campaign.

 

[rusty_lock]

Well my general thoughts...

Fairhurst would have made a big difference. They were really hurt in the first half by Whites kicking from the base. I really wish Phil Mack would be given a chance with the national 15's. Whites kicking made the defense work that much harder for that much longer. That being said, the defense looked excellent and Canada was unquestionably the second best team in the tournament. Munro really showed a lot of poise and acquitted himself extremely well. By the time Hirayama got on the park the game had kind of broken down and had really lost its shape so it really isn't fair to comment on his 15 minutes. Mackenzie looked good and he should be starting at 12. Pritchard was solid but not spectacular, I'm kind of betwixt and between on him at wing or fullback. Evans did alright and shows potential. Smith and Hearn were the biggest question marks in the backline. Talk about a WTF moment when Hearn whipped the ball back into the middle of the field at the goal line. He seemed to have trouble hanging onto the ball in contact and was guilty of a few turnovers. Obviously missing a gamebreaker like DTH hurt badly.


I think the scrum is fairly settled for the worldcup. O'toole was excellent again. I sure hope he gets himself a good contract overseas post worldcup. The scrum was much better than I even hoped for let alone expected. While it was under pressure most of the game, it held its own and at least kept us from going backwards like we have in times past. Both Marshall and Buydons looked good around the park, tackled well and they are only going to get better. Marshall is only 22 or 23 so that bodes well for the future. Buydons is only 29 so he could be around for another full world cup cycle. It has been a few years since I have said anything complimentary about a Canadian prop so it was good to see. Cudmore and Erichson are the best pair of locks we have and I think the scrum is much more stable with them in the second row pushing. Our loose forwards come world cup time will be O'toole, and Kleeberger with either Dala or Sinclair coming off the bench. I suspect that all four will be on the flight to NZ with Dala playing in games where we are expecting more front foot ball so he can utilize his pace and display his skill with ball in hand. Expect to see Sinclair on the bench against France and NZ.


Overall I'm encouraged. The boys played hard, had good discipline and demonstrated that given the right support and training they will improve. For all the problem that we bemoan in Canadian rugby, the team the took the field for the churchill cup has given reason to believe that there is hope for the future. I think a 2-2 finish in the world cup is doable. I didn't think so before but it certainly is within the realm of possibility.


Congratulations boys, a job well done.

 

[rusty_lock]

In a small consolation to the Canadian squad Chauncey O'Toole was named Tournament MVP, hopefully some club sides will give him another look for next year's campaign.

Awesome that should help him get that contract.

 

[rusty_lock]

Yeah Benjamin is looking great, same with Clegg, never really rated either of them before. Our props were fairly useless, Riordan was ok, scrummaging against Matt Stevens isn't even fair LOL. Oh well. Saxons were a good quality side and it showed.

What's all this talk about the last ever Churchill Cup? What will be replacing it if anything? I think this tourny is great for Canadian rugby...it's better than nothing anyway.

Really??? I thought that was the best performance I have seen from a pair of Canadian props in this World cup cycle.

 

[rusty_lock]

Usually I'd agree with that, but I thought Marshall and Buydens played pretty well today. It seems as if Cudmore has brought a bit more stability to the scrum.

Also, White had another shocker today; those box kicks were dreadful, we were missing Fairhurst bad. On the plus side, the defence was pretty damn good and with a healthy DTH and Kleeberger in the lineup I think this game could have been closer. Tkachuk will help too. Overall, I'm content with how the Churchill Cup went, I think we're gonna destroy the Americans in the warm-up games.

I think you have seen the last of T-bone in Canada jersey. Not claiming any secret inside knowledge just a hunch. I'm looking forward the the games against the USA. There is nothing that warms the heart of any Canadian more than putting a good hiding on an American team no matter what the sport.

 

[rusty_lock]

Ah, but Benjamin isn't just a "run in a straight line and hope for the best" winger like Sackey/Varndell/Vainikolo/Strettle/any other flavour of the year type winger, he's actually a good rugby player


One for the future, anyhow





Edit: I didn't realise it was the last Churchill Cup either, I looked it up and it's because USA and Canada are doing proper June tours from 2012 onwards, so they don't need the Churchill Cup to expose them to international rugby
I'd've still kept it though

Where did you find the info about proper June Tours?? I have been trying to find out what will happen next year and can't seem to find anything.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, I've mis-read it, it says they're involved in the tests
I think that'll mean that people will go to them for one off matches or something?
Maybe SA/NZ/whoever will tour the Americas and play Argentina/USA/Canada

With Canada and the United States, who have played in every Churchill Cup, now included in the International Rugby Board's tournaments and tour schedule, it means they will play home Tests during June against top Test-playing nations from next summer.

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyun...by/11/06/18/RUGBYU_Churchill_Cup.html&BID=504

 

[lucky number 7]

Well my general thoughts...

Fairhurst would have made a big difference.

Stating the obvious