Canada vs. New Zealand Maori. 23/11/12

[LittleGuy]

Hey guys sorry about the tardiness about getting this thread up but I had no interest in this game until it broke late today that the game will indeed be televised on TSN at 2:15 p.m. EST, the game will also be on NZ TV though I need to find out which channel to edit it in to the thread. The game is at Oxford and probably won't be a huge crowd but hopefully the small stands are at least filled as best as can be and the crowd has the atmopshere of the Samoa contest and not the Russian one. There will be no caps awarded for the contest.

Canada is 1-1 on their tour with a 42-12 loss to Samoa and a 35-3 win over Russia. The Moari are also 1-1 with a 33-24 loss to Leicester and a 52-21 win over the RFU Championship XV.

For Canada Harry Jones leaves last weeks side and Blevins has also been dropped. Sean Duke has been added from the 7's side on the bench, and Mackenzie is back in action which is good news.

Canadian Lineup.

1 Hubert Buydens (Saskatoon Wild Oats/ Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2 Ryan Hamilton (Capilano/ Pacific Tyee) West Vancouver, BC
3 Jason Marshall (Aurillac) North Vancouver, BC
4 Jebb Sinclair (London Irish) Charter's Settlement, NB
5 Tyler Hotson (London Scottish RFC) Vancouver, BC
6 Tyler Ardron (Brantford Harlequins/ Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
7 Chauncey O'Toole (Bridgend Ravens) Belleisle, NB
8 Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion RFC) Brantford, ON (C)
9 Phil Mack (UVic Vikes/ Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
10 Connor Braid (James Bay AA/ Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
11 Taylor Paris (Glasgow Warriors) Barrie, ON
12 Phil Mackenzie (London Welsh) Oakville, ON
13 Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/ the Rock) Conception Bay, NL
14 Jeff Hassler (Okotoks RFC/ Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB
15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia

Replacements

16 Andrew Tiedemann (FC Auch Gers) St. Albert, AB
17 Ray Barkwill (Niagara, Oakville Crusaders/ Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
18 Doug Wooldridge (Lindsay RFC/ Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
19 Brett Beukeboom (Plymouth Albion RFC) Lindsay, ON
20 John Moonlight (James Bay AA/ Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
21 Eric Wilson (Meraloma RC) Vancouver, BC
22 Nathan Hirayama (UVic Vikes/ Pacific Tyee) Vancouver, BC
23 Sean Duke (UVic Vikes/ Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC

New Zealand Maori

Starters

Bronson Murray, Quentin Macdonald, Ben May, Jason Eaton, Romana Graham, Shane Christie, Tanerau Latimer (capt.), Elliot Dixon, Frae Wilson, Willie Ripia, Andre Taylor, Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Kurt Baker, Trent Renata.

Replacements
Hika Elliot, Jacob Ellison, Ben Afeaki, Jarrad Hoeata, Nick Crosswell, Jamieson Gibson-Park, Jackson Willison, Declan O'Donnell

 

[rusty_lock]

I've got a pretty bad feeling on this one. What happened at the breakdown against Samoa will seem child's play comparatively. O'toole isn't a fetcher and with out someone out there to slow there ball down mayhem is going to ensue. I didn't see enough improvement in the Russia game to give me hope that anything positive could result from this. The skills on display from Russia were awful and Canada didn't really cut down their error rate it was just that Russia wasn't able to capitalize on them. The Maori are going to be more clinical in punishing mistakes. My prediction 64-10 Sorry I'm usually more optimistic but even my rose colored glasses are a little foggy here.

 

[Dougydeluxe]

I think Canada will also not do great. Is the game being re-televised at a later time in Canada on TSN?

 

[Canucks]

Can you guys provide updates?

Ended up working late tonight so not attending game.

 

[LittleGuy]

Patrick Johnston's prediction in his column was 45-15, which I see as being a possibility though I would not in the least be surprised if your bang on Rusty. I'm mainly hoping for a competitive performace if we can do as well as the RFU Championship XV I'll be pleased. I'm not really too interested in this contest for a varitey of reasons, but it's a nice excuse to come inside, watch some rugby and finish the week early while getting out of 45 kmh winds. Hopefully we see some running rugby tonight and at least get entertained.

Edit: Looks like an OK turnout in a tiny stadium albeit.

Scoring:

Maori hit an early penalty. 3-0, 3rd minute.

Yellow Card: Romana Graham for High Tackle, Maori down to 14 men. 6th minute.

Moari score another penalty once again from an offside. 6-0, 12th minute.

Silly penalty given away by O'Toole obstruction. 9-0. 16th minute.

Braid with a great line break ball just lost forward at last minute, still 9-0 after 20 minutes. Canada acquitting themselves well at the moment.

Referee has pulled a hamstring, and has had to be substituted.

Great line break engineered by O'Toole and Ardron, pass to Hassler just missed to prevent a try. Pritchard hits a penalty though 9-3 26th minute.

Brilliant try by Andre Taylor for the Maori, sloppy tackling by Canada, terrible score to give up after Canada were gaining confidence. Easy Conversion. 16-3 28th minute.

Pritchard gets a penalty obstruction from Maori off of kickoff. 16-6, 30th minute.

Bit of a bogus penalty on Aaron Carpenter for not releasing(even NZ commentators agree) Moari take advantage. 19-6, 35th minute.

Little bit of argy-bargy no cards, good officiating. Warnings handed out but no witch hunt.

Interference by Maori at the lineout, Pritchard having a go....GETS IT!!! 19-9 at half time...EASILY Canada's best half of rugby this tour.

 

[Canucks]

Patrick Johnston's prediction in his column was 45-15, which I see as being a possibility though I would not in the least be surprised if your bang on Rusty. I'm mainly hoping for a competitive performace if we can do as well as the RFU Championship XV I'll be pleased. I'm not really too interested in this contest for a varitey of reasons, but it's a nice excuse to come inside, watch some rugby and finish the week early while getting out of 45 kmh winds. Hopefully we see some running rugby tonight and at least get entertained.

Edit: Looks like an OK turnout in a tiny stadium albeit.

Scoring:

Maori hit an early penalty. 3-0, 3rd minute.

Yellow Card: Romana Graham for High Tackle, Maori down to 14 men. 6th minute.

Moari score another penalty once again from an offside. 6-0, 12th minute.

Silly penalty given away by O'Toole obstruction. 9-0. 16th minute.

Doesn't sound too bad...yet.

Thanks little guy.

 

[rusty_lock]

Much better than I so far, Ardon's a stud. Braid has looked good. To many missed first up tackles and not enough aggresion at the break down. more at half time

 

[LittleGuy]

Much better than I so far, Ardon's a stud. Braid has looked good. To many missed first up tackles and not enough aggresion at the break down. more at half time

Easily Canada's best half of rugby all tour. Ardon has returned to ARC form, Braid has played well, Pritchard looks back to his usual form. A couple of things just didn't go are way and it wasn't perfect but a much more complete effort from the boys. Less silly errors in attack and keeping ball in hand is helping.

 

[Canucks]

Thanks guys for the updates. Shame I can't see this one yet it's played 50 mins from my house. I'll keep checking here hoping for little guy to excitedly type that Canada has a comeback in the works.

 

[Thingimubob]

This still going on? Streams anywhere?

 

[LittleGuy]

Patrick Johnston's prediction in his column was 45-15, which I see as being a possibility though I would not in the least be surprised if your bang on Rusty. I'm mainly hoping for a competitive performace if we can do as well as the RFU Championship XV I'll be pleased. I'm not really too interested in this contest for a varitey of reasons, but it's a nice excuse to come inside, watch some rugby and finish the week early while getting out of 45 kmh winds. Hopefully we see some running rugby tonight and at least get entertained.

Edit: Looks like an OK turnout in a tiny stadium albeit.

Scoring:

Maori hit an early penalty. 3-0, 3rd minute.

Yellow Card: Romana Graham for High Tackle, Maori down to 14 men. 6th minute.

Moari score another penalty once again from an offside. 6-0, 12th minute.

Silly penalty given away by O'Toole obstruction. 9-0. 16th minute.

Braid with a great line break ball just lost forward at last minute, still 9-0 after 20 minutes. Canada acquitting themselves well at the moment.

Referee has pulled a hamstring, and has had to be substituted.

Great line break engineered by O'Toole and Ardron, pass to Hassler just missed to prevent a try. Pritchard hits a penalty though 9-3 26th minute.

Brilliant try by Andre Taylor for the Maori, sloppy tackling by Canada, terrible score to give up after Canada were gaining confidence. Easy Conversion. 16-3 28th minute.

Pritchard gets a penalty obstruction from Maori off of kickoff. 16-6, 30th minute.

Bit of a bogus penalty on Aaron Carpenter for not releasing(even NZ commentators agree) Moari take advantage. 19-6, 35th minute.

Little bit of argy-bargy no cards, good officiating. Warnings handed out but no witch hunt.

Interference by Maori at the lineout, Pritchard having a go....GETS IT!!! 19-9 at half time...EASILY Canada's best half of rugby this tour.

2nd half about to get underway. I thought Spanton was harsh on Canada at half time. Yes some mistakes were made but Canada is still in touch at half time with a team as good as many Tier One sides.

 

[rusty_lock]

Easily Canada's best half of rugby all tour. Ardon has returned to ARC form, Braid has played well, Pritchard looks back to his usual form. A couple of things just didn't go are way and it wasn't perfect but a much more complete effort from the boys. Less silly errors in attack and keeping ball in hand is helping.

I'm going insane with sinclair at lock while otoole continues to underwhelm. One of our best players and a true international languishes out of position while O'toole who hasn't played a good game since june 2010 continues to avoid the breakdown like there is some sort of disease at the bottom of that pile. Hassler hasn't had any breaks but his work rate has been excellent. I agree LG nice to see pritchard back to his old form. Scrumaging has looked the best I have seen it in a long time. I thought the pass to Taylor that lead to the try was forward but I'm a homer so I guess my opinion doesn't count. take that try and the preceding missed tackles out and not a bad half. Error rate is much better. 6/10 so far

 

[LittleGuy]

I'm going insane with sinclair at lock while otoole continues to underwhelm. One of our best players and a true international languishes out of position while O'toole who hasn't played a good game since june 2010 continues to avoid the breakdown like there is some sort of disease at the bottom of that pile. Hassler hasn't had any breaks but his work rate has been excellent. I agree LG nice to see pritchard back to his old form. Scrumaging has looked the best I have seen it in a long time. I thought the pass to Taylor that lead to the try was forward but I'm a homer so I guess my opinion doesn't count. take that try and the preceding missed tackles out and not a bad half. Error rate is much better. 6/10 so far

Sinclair has been a little more active this game but he gets lost at #4, we need him in the back row. He played at flanker in SA and did well. O'Toole has had so many chances now, I'd probably rather have Dala starting over him LOL.

Hamilton off for injury, Barkwill in releif. 45th minute.

Nice work by Hearn, lots of hard yards being earned by Canada, leads to a penalty in front for Pritchard. 19-12 48th minute.

Not releasing against Canada. 22-12. Maori making some changes as well. Elliot is on. Hoeata as well.

Yellow Card: Bateman tackles Paris in the air. Maori once again down to 14 men. NZ commentators having a heart attack about it LOL. Pritch's penalty falls just short. 53rd
minute.

Offside against Sinclair, discipline hurting Canada. Moari ringing in three changes. Time wasting on yellow card. 25-12. 59th minute. Beukeboom and Moonlight on for Canada.

Canada getting a lot of ball and Moonlight with a great run but Canada just not turning it into points. Pritchard with a highlight reel play to keep a ball in bounds.

TRY CANADA RAY BARKWILL you beauty.!!!! Conversion by Braid....25-19. 73rd minute.

Harsh call against Hirayama for Offside, Moari having a crack at the posts from distance(also taking up time)...falls short 76th minute.

Great clearance kick by Maori, Paris avoids disaster but Maori have a scrum with not much time left. 79th minute.

Moari work a good score into the corner at full time....30-19 with conversion to come...it lands 32-19. Full time.

Well guys, certainly some things to be upset about but I'll take a 13 point loss to the Maori All Blacks any day of the week. Best Canada performance of the Tour, much more like the RWC than the poor start against Samoa.

 

[LittleGuy]

New Zealand Moari 32-19 Canada. Final(19-9 at Half)

New Zealand Moari.

Tries:Taylor 29'c Ngatai 80' c
Penalties: Ripia 6(7)
Conversions: Ripia 2(2)
Yellow Cards: Graham, Bateman

Canada:
Try: Barkwill
Penalties: Pritchard 4(5)
Conversion: Braid 1(1)

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Course Romana Graham gets carded...

 

[LittleGuy]

Course Romana Graham gets carded...

Forgot to add cards to the score sheet....

 

[Darwin]

Course Romana Graham gets carded...

I shocked to see this. Shocked.

 

[LittleGuy]

Here is a highlight package.....



Edit: Also according to Sean White on twitter the MOTM was Hubert Buydens.

 

[rusty_lock]

Honestly I am so glad I was so wrong about the outcome here. That was a vastly improved performance over both the Samoa and Russia games. Defense was solid, there was some creativity in the backline and I could almost kiss the tight five. That has to be the best scumaging by a Canadian pack in a very long time. I think that this tour has overall been a very rewarding and instructive few weeks for Canada.

The advent of Ardon and Moonlight has been a great revelation and has settled the argument about O'toole and Dala. Dala has been a favoriteof mine but I really think that he is better suited to 7's. He doesn't have the size to be a really effective blindside and while his pace can be electrifying he really is only able to demonstrate it against weaker teams. Coming up against Tier 1 or just below opposition he disappears. O'toole was a non-entity out there again today. The #7 has to be a fetcher and he couldn't fetch me a glass of water let alone pilfer a ball at the breakdown. I think with the talent available at loose forward O'Toole needs to be directed to focus on his 7's career. Sinclair, Ardon, Moonlight, Carpenter and Kleeberger (when he gets healthy) are the answer going forward. Lock is still thin. Cudmore, though I love him, is rarely available and will be 35 or 36 at the next world cup. Play him if makes himself availble but lets develop this positions with some new talent. I thought Hotson was decent and Beukeboom looked OK when he came on. At least he has the size of a real international lock. Hopefully he continues to develop with consistent playing time at Albion. This was Hamiltons best game that I have ever seen and Barkwill was good also so maybe hooker isn't the problem that I thought it was. Buydens had huge game. He scrummaged well as did Marshall but his play in the loose was even better. He continues to be a work in progress. He's a football convert and still fairly new to the game. He needs an overseas contract since, as a prop, he won't get sport canada funding. Hopefully that will happen.

Braid was good moving the backline around, attacked the line well and his partnership with Mack was decent. I was hoping for more from Mack but maybe if given more opportunity he will develop. That being said he is getting on in years and we have got to find someone else with an eye towards 2015. Hassler was a revelation, Paris improved as the tour went on but centre is still a question. DTH will be back at 13 in June hopefully but what to do at 12 remains unanswered. I like Mackenzie and he hasn't played at 12/13 in about 5 years so I should cut him some slack. My suspicion is that he finds himself back at 11 in June and Connor Trainor is back in the 12 Jersey. Pritchard was good at fullback, maybe I should say steady. Either way at his age we need to start finding some replacements options.

I'm disappointed we leaked that try at the death but overall a fair performance against a team that is fairly good by international standards. I'm looking foward to June and the competition of the PNC.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Unfortunately I couldn't catch the game but it seems like it was a damn fine effort. Who would have thought that at 78' we would be within a score of beating the Maori All Blacks? Also, this tour has shown that we have really developed some fine backs. When you consider that Pritchard, Evans, Hassler, Trainor, Paris, DTH, Mackenzie, and Trainor are all worthy of being in the starting XV, we have more talent 11-15 than we have had in years. If only we had a decent halfback combo (here's hoping McCann gets a shot this spring). Braid wasn't bad either.

And I agree with pretty much everyone about the back row. I like O'Toole, but I don't think he's as engaged in the breakdown as much as a guy like Kleeberger who routinely wins turnover ball. And when you consider that Sinclair needs to play 6-8 and Ardron, Kleeberger, and Carpenter are more than capable, I don't object to O'Toole focusing on 7's and playing a supporting role on the bench with the XV's side. The same thing as Dala, really. Hopefully Cam Pierce can pair up with Hotson, Beukeboom and Cudmore in the spring and we can end the Sinclair second row experience.

If only White could get his **** together or if we could poach a Top 14 or Aviva Premiership scrumhalf with a grandpa from Canada, we'd be set in the backs.

Nice to see Barkwill and Hamilton had a decent game too!