Canada vs. Tonga. Pacific Nations Cup. 08/05/13

[LittleGuy]

Canada vs. Tonga. Pacific Nations Cup. 08/05/13 2:00 p.m. EDT(11:00 A.M. PDT) @ Richardson Memorial Stadium, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Referee: JP Doyle(Ireland)

Broadcast: The game will be streamed live for International viewers on the IRB website, as well Canada will have live coverage on the rugbycanada.ca home page, with a ustream provided stream English and French commentary will be available, while Sportsnet World will be showing the game on tape delay at 9 p.m. EDT(you can watch South Africa vs. Italy, Lions vs Reds, and NZ vs. France before hand if you need your rugby fix!!!)

The two unbeaten sides left in the 2013 PNC, meet up in Kingston in what could potentially be a trophy deciding contest. Canada will be on short rest after the match against Fiji, while Tonga will hope to be free of any jet lag effects after their long journey over from Japan.

Unfortunately their have been some structural problems with the Richardson Stadium's upper bleachers(renovations had been planned anyway but have had to been rushed), so there will not be as high of a capacity as there was for Canada vs. USA last year. However a good crowd is expected and Rugby Canada have been scrambling to add a couple of extra temporary bleachers to accomadate the fans.

Lineups will be posted when I hear them(or you do and tell me )

Canada

Starters

#1 - Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
#2 - Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
#3 - Jason Marshall, (Atlantique Stade Rochelais/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
#4 - Brett Beukeboom, (Plymouth Albion) Lindsay, ON
#5 - Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish RFC) Vancouver, BC
#6 - Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
#7 - John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
#8 - Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates) Brantford, ON
#9 - Sean White, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
#10 - Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears), Richmond, BC
#11 - Sean Duke, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears), Vancouver, BC
#12 - Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
#13 - Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
#14 - Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
#15 - James Pritchard, (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia

Bench

#16 - Ryan Hamilton, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
#17 - Doug Wooldridge, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
#18 - Tom Dolezel, (London St. George's/Ontario Blues) London, ON
#19 - Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
#20 - Tyler Ardron, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
#21 - Phil Mack, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
#22 - Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
#23 - Pat Parfrey, (Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock) St. John's, NL


Tongas Lineup

1. Eddie Aholelei
2 'Ilaisa Ma'asi
3. Taione Vea
4. 'Emosi Kauhenga
5. Tukulua Lokotui
6. Hale T Pole
7. Nili Latu
8. Viliami Fihaki
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Will Helu
12. Sione Piukala
13. Siale Piutau
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
15. Viliami Hakalo

Bench

16. Elvis Taione
17. Kamaliele Sakalia
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Joshua Afu
20. Paula Kaho
21.Tomasi Palu
22. Viliame 'Iongi
23. David Halaifonua

 

[LittleGuy]

The Canadian lineup has been named, and there are tons of changes to the starting XV from the Fiji game(as expected), Pritchard has finally entered the lineup after Bedford's long playoff run and will be greatly needed for his goalkicking abilities. I love getting Sinclair in at #6 where his physicality will get more exposure and I also like Barkwill and Buydens back in the starting XV, not sure why Paris isn't even on the bench, but perhaps the coaching staff felt he needed a rest before the Ireland/Japan games. Duke is a capable replacement.

A much less experimental side than the one against Fiji, the bench dosen't have quite the depth I'd like to see but a sign of the injuries Canada has to deal with, Dala, Ardron and Mack migth make an impact off of it though and Hamilton is a capable backup to Barkwill. Tieddemann did not have a good game against Fiji and he has been dropped entirely from the side, with Dolezel coming in at #18.

 

[LittleGuy]

Where aren't Hassler and Mackenzie playing???

Big game for White unless he does something special, Mack plays vs Ireland

Mackenzie is injured and is out until August. Hassler also got hurt in the final 7's event, I didn't think it was as serious as some of the other injuries but he hasn't joined the side yet, which means he's unlikely to play against Ireland or even Japan(he has confirmed his signing with Ospreys on twitter on a good note). Duke himself just returned from injury, we've been absolutely ravaged in the backs.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Tongas Lineup

1. Eddie Aholelei
2 'Ilaisa Ma'asi
3. Taione Vea
4. 'Emosi Kauhenga
5. Tukulua Lokotui
6. Hale T Pole
7. Nili Latu
8. Viliami Fihaki
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Will Helu
12. Sione Piukala
13. Siale Piutau
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
15. Viliami Hakalo

16. Elvis Taione
17. Kamaliele Sakalia
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Joshua Afu
20. Paula Kaho
21.Tomasi Palu
22. Viliame 'Iongi
23. David Halaifonua

 

[Big Ewis]

GO CANADAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!

This is basically the championship right here for Canada, isn't it ?

 

[LittleGuy]

GO CANADAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!

This is basically the championship right here for Canada, isn't it ?

This could very well be the deciding game, though Fiji are very much still in touch for the ***le, the U.S.A. would have to do somethign special to win as well, since they got stuck with a really crappy schedule in this years edition. I would lean towards the winner of this game being the likely ***le holder though.

I'm likely to watch this one on the tape delay on TV(I hate streams and the time is better for the broadcast for me) so I won't be able to share my thoughts on the match until well after the game is done.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Very interesting game, that... not to sure what to make of it as it was sometimes a bit of a **** show.

Obviously not a good start by Canada with the initial error that led to the Tongan try in the first minute, but you have to like the resolve they showed which led to Canada taking a narrow halftime lead. As far as the rough stuff went, I have no doubt that some Tongans will be meeting with the citing commissioner- Tonga played really dirty between the 40-55 minute mark. Also unfortunate how Canada really let their foot off the gas the last ten minutes, that could have been a record collapse.

All that said, nobody on Canada really had a poor game, not even Dolezel and Wooldridge who I expected would get pushed around when they came on. Pritchard again showed why he is so valuable as he had a perfect day with the boot. Big games by Evans, Moonlight, Duke, and Hirayama too; they're gonna make selection difficult for the Ireland game.

In all, well done Canada. Lets beat Japan and win a grand slam!

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Final score 36 - 27 for Canada. I was at the game and the last 10 minute collapse scared the pants off me but I will post an in depth review later tonight with some player ratings

 

[LittleGuy]

Final score 36 - 27 for Canada. I was at the game and the last 10 minute collapse scared the pants off me but I will post an in depth review later tonight with some player ratings

Yep my thoughts exactly Canada were home and dry(up 33-10) and than collapsed after the Evans injury, the subs were dreadful and did not bring the intensity needed a bonus point should have been on the cards. Pritchard is the man....a try and perfect goal kicking only six points to break Rees' record on points and moves to 2nd all time in tries. Tonga's discilpine is awful, a read and two yellow's(all deserved) whcih was only partially offset by Ardron's yellow. Not sure how to rate this one first hour was excellent and final twenty was very poor.

Scoreline:

Canada:

Tries: Evans, Duke, Pritchard
Conversions: Pritchard 3(3)
Penalties: Pritchard 4(4) Hearn 1(1)
Yellow Card: Ardron


Tonga
Tries: Lokotui, Iongi, Vainkolo, Helu
Conversions: Morath 1(1) Kaho 1(1) Latu 0(1) ?(wll edit in) 0(1)
Penalties Morath 1(2)
Yellow Cards: Siutaui, Halaifonua
Red Card: Aholelei

Official archive:

 

[Shaggy]

... Yeah, a shame the Tongan team played like a bunch of dummies during that period of play where all of the cards were issued, if they'd have just kicked for territory, and backed their lineout, they would probably have had the game in the bag ... or they could have thrown the ball to their wingers earlier, and they probably would have had the win secured ... mind you, the Canadian defence was very good when the starting XV players were on.

... I guess the most disciplined side won in the end, which is a little ironic to me, as Canada gave away so many needless penalties

... It's a shame that all of that dangerous play/foul play, kinda ruined what could have been a much better game to watch

 

[LittleGuy]

... Yeah, a shame the Tongan team played like a bunch of dummies during that period of play where all of the cards were issued, if they'd have just kicked for territory, and backed their lineout, they would probably have had the game in the bag ... or they could have thrown the ball to their wingers earlier, and they probably would have had the win secured ... mind you, the Canadian defence was very good when the starting XV players were on.

... I guess the most disciplined side won in the end, which is a little ironic to me, as Canada gave away so many needless penalties

... It's a shame that all of that dangerous play/foul play, kinda ruined what could have been a much better game to watch

It's hard to say what impact the cards had, obviously they hurt Tonga but I think Crowley rang the changes early thinking Canada were home and dry. The Ardron card also evened things up, and the Tongan try in the first 2 minutes was taking advantage of a poor play by Blevins. Got to get better at closing things out for Canada, we have let all three games nearly slip away in the final 10 minutes, Ireland won't play as stupidly next week. Also credit to Tonga for never giving up these Canada vs. Tonga games are becoming pseudo classics each time out.

 

[usausa]

Canada have been playing nicely so far. Nothing dominating, but they are making a habit of pulling out close games. Canada certainly looking like the favorite for the RWC-Q in August. While the USA always gets srtonger as the mid-year and end-year seasons go on, so will Canada with the addition of Pritchard and co now.

 

[LittleGuy]

Tonga coach playing the "race card" apparently....http://www.tsn.ca/rugby/story/?id=425005

 

[usausa]

Tonga coach playing the "race card" apparently....http://www.tsn.ca/rugby/story/?id=425005

Shocking that he would even think about making those comments publicly...wonder if the IRB can/will do anything about this. I didn't watch the match, but why would a referee influence a match like this?

 

[Shaggy]

It's hard to say what impact the cards had, obviously they hurt Tonga but I think Crowley rang the changes early thinking Canada were home and dry. The Ardron card also evened things up, and the Tongan try in the first 2 minutes was taking advantage of a poor play by Blevins. Got to get better at closing things out for Canada, we have let all three games nearly slip away in the final 10 minutes, Ireland won't play as stupidly next week. Also credit to Tonga for never giving up these Canada vs. Tonga games are becoming pseudo classics each time out.

Yes, the Canadian substitutions clearly weren't up to it when you compare them with their starting team mates ... I guess I find it hard to understand, when you have an advantage in the line outs, and a tactical kicker like Morath, why you would resort to indiciplined and dangerous play ... the Tongans (IMO), had the ascendency in the game, up until that point ... as for the affect of the cards, you would hope that the side that has one more player, for half of the match (and at times two more players), would rack up a significant margin like Canada did for a time in the match.

Tonga coach playing the "race card" apparently....http://www.tsn.ca/rugby/story/?id=425005

Yes Jebb Sinclair was lucky not to get carded as well, for his part in that punch up, but it would be refreshing for international coaches to actually acknowledge that their players are guilty of foul play/dangerous play for a change ... sorry, punching isn't allowed, and you still have to tackle below the shoulders, while the player has the ball, while attempting to use your arms, regardless of your race, creed, shoe size, or star sign ... take some responsibility, and call it like it is ... tell the rugby world (and your players) that hard tackles are fine, provided they are legal, and that ill disipline loses matches, and won't be tolerated ... tell the PLAYERS that they will be dropped if they insist on playing "dumb rugby" (because that's what it is)

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Jebb Sinclair was lucky not to get carded as well, for his part in that punch up

It didn't look like Sinclair did anything bad (to me anyway). If we're talking about Hirayama, on the other hand, he could have been sent off for exchanging punches with the Tongan at the start of when things got out of hand. What did you see Sinclair do?

 

[Canucks]

It didn't look like Sinclair did anything bad (to me anyway). If we're talking about Hirayama, on the other hand, he could have been sent off for exchanging punches with the Tongan at the start of when things got out of hand. What did you see Sinclair do?

Way I saw the events:
Tonga 13 repeatedly struck Barkwill during a ruck. Barkwill was not a position to defend himself.
Ruck finished, Hirayama came over to Tonga 13 who put himself into a boxers stance (like a boss.) Hirayama then threw a punch that missed. A wide variety of mutual fights then broke out, including Sinclair and the Tongan flanker with an Afro. Many people threw many punches.

The card came from this: Moonlight and 2 Tongans were grabbing each others shirts and a 3rd Tongan came in and sucker punched Moonlight. Pritchard then comes and gives the chirping hand gesture to him while he walks away (not sure what that was about.)

Regardless, Doyle made the correct decision. This was the 3rd scuffle in the game and somebody had to go or Doyle ran the risk of losing control of the game. The Tonga player who layed out Moonlight made it an easy decision as his actions where above the scuffles that were occurring. If anything, I commend Doyle on his decision as the stupidity stopped after that card.

The racism comments are ridiculous and there should be some action brought against the coach. His attempt to polarise his team's lack of discipline into a keeping down the black man argument is embarrassing. I would also like to highlight that Canada had the only black player on the pitch. As well, the other, unspoken insinuation that Canada is the White team with no diversity is equally ridiculous. Look at the surnames on our roster, of both teams, we stand the better chance at upsetting someone's racial sensitivities.

Now on to the actual game:
I felt Tonga controlled Canada very well and squandered opportunities to attack outside early in the game. I also feel the Morath was criminally under utilised. That being said, I feel Canada's attack could have kicked into an extra gear before the cards came out. I think this highlights the differences between White and Mack. White seemes to be the better player but Mack is the better scrum half. It's a case of Mack being quick and decisive while White sometimes thinks he's playing 7s (although he has been improving on this.)

It's hard to believe that this is Canada's 2nd choice backline missing the likes of Van Der Merwe, Mackenzie, Braid, Hassler, Paris.

 

[LittleGuy]

Shorter highlight package....also I think we fly up the IRB world rankings this week, we must go up to 12th and are probably pushing Scotland and Italy in 11th.

 

[Muzzy]

Way I saw the events:
Tonga 13 repeatedly struck Barkwill during a ruck. Barkwill was not a position to defend himself.
Ruck finished, Hirayama came over to Tonga 13 who put himself into a boxers stance (like a boss.) Hirayama then threw a punch that missed. A wide variety of mutual fights then broke out, including Sinclair and the Tongan flanker with an Afro. Many people threw many punches.

The card came from this: Moonlight and 2 Tongans were grabbing each others shirts and a 3rd Tongan came in and sucker punched Moonlight. Pritchard then comes and gives the chirping hand gesture to him while he walks away (not sure what that was about.)

Regardless, Doyle made the correct decision. This was the 3rd scuffle in the game and somebody had to go or Doyle ran the risk of losing control of the game. The Tonga player who layed out Moonlight made it an easy decision as his actions where above the scuffles that were occurring. If anything, I commend Doyle on his decision as the stupidity stopped after that card.

The racism comments are ridiculous and there should be some action brought against the coach. His attempt to polarise his team's lack of discipline into a keeping down the black man argument is embarrassing. I would also like to highlight that Canada had the only black player on the pitch. As well, the other, unspoken insinuation that Canada is the White team with no diversity is equally ridiculous. Look at the surnames on our roster, of both teams, we stand the better chance at upsetting someone's racial sensitivities.

Now on to the actual game:
I felt Tonga controlled Canada very well and squandered opportunities to attack outside early in the game. I also feel the Morath was criminally under utilised. That being said, I feel Canada's attack could have kicked into an extra gear before the cards came out. I think this highlights the differences between White and Mack. White seemes to be the better player but Mack is the better scrum half. It's a case of Mack being quick and decisive while White sometimes thinks he's playing 7s (although he has been improving on this.)

It's hard to believe that this is Canada's 2nd choice backline missing the likes of Van Der Merwe, Mackenzie, Braid, Hassler, Paris.

Sounds like the cards were deserved, I only saw that first one on the highlights, it was a yellow at the least but I can see how the ref gave a red, you can't be throwing uppercuts like that, its just stupid. Tonga usually get a lot of yellow cards for slowing the ball down constantly too. The coach should be more worried about his teams poor discipline.

I think his comments were just frustration coz I know a lot of islanders feel the same way he does. Because there's been a lot of times in the past an islander will make a really good solid tackle and ends up getting yellow carded for it, I see it happen with island players a lot but I hardly see that happen to the white players. But it doesn't sound like thats what happened here if they were having punch ups. Even if the Canadians started it the Tongans should have been smarter and not reacted that way, they shouldn't have thrown punches let the Canadians get penalized for it instead. I saw the first 20 mins and there was a lot of tension like they were trying to prove how tough they are thats why they kept breaking out into fights

 

[Shaggy]

It didn't look like Sinclair did anything bad (to me anyway). If we're talking about Hirayama, on the other hand, he could have been sent off for exchanging punches with the Tongan at the start of when things got out of hand. What did you see Sinclair do?

Yes, I singled out Sinclair because he was fairly prominent in the retaliation phase when it was replayed on TV, as was the number on his back to the assistant referee (I thought) ... I know he wasn't the only offender, but the officials missed getting any Canadian numbers, hence the lack of cards, which may have been Yellow anyway.

Sounds like the cards were deserved, I only saw that first one on the highlights, it was a yellow at the least but I can see how the ref gave a red, you can't be throwing uppercuts like that, its just stupid. Tonga usually get a lot of yellow cards for slowing the ball down constantly too. The coach should be more worried about his teams poor discipline.

I think his comments were just frustration coz I know a lot of islanders feel the same way he does. Because there's been a lot of times in the past an islander will make a really good solid tackle and ends up getting yellow carded for it, I see it happen with island players a lot but I hardly see that happen to the white players. But it doesn't sound like thats what happened here if they were having punch ups. Even if the Canadians started it the Tongans should have been smarter and not reacted that way, they shouldn't have thrown punches let the Canadians get penalized for it instead. I saw the first 20 mins and there was a lot of tension like they were trying to prove how tough they are thats why they kept breaking out into fights

Exactly Muzzy, ... I'm not sure who started it to be honest, but if don't react, or at least don't throw a punch, you aren't going to get carded

I get that the Island teams like to tackle hard as part of their physical style, and there were some legitimate hard tackles made that weren't penalised (and rightly so) ... it's when players charge in using the shoulder only (no attempt to rap the arms), and high (above the shoulders) ... which is what the Yellow cards were for later in the match

That kind of stuff is dangerous, against the rules, and has clear penalties laid out in the IRB laws ... it's hardly the official's fault if the tackling player's technique is poor, anymore than if a tackling player gets knock out by putting his head in the wrong place when executing a tackle (also poor technique) ... like you said, Coach needs to talk to his players and encourage less penalties

Shorter highlight package....also I think we fly up the IRB world rankings this week, we must go up to 12th and are probably pushing Scotland and Italy in 11th.

Rankings as at today have Canada at 13 (up one place from last week), behind Tonga at 12, who dropped one place from last week ... http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html