Canada vs. U.S.A. (09/06/2012 2:00 p.m. EDT)

[Canucks]

Here are the lineups don't have much time do more thoughts later big surprises for Canada with Mackenzie and Sinclair coming in off the bench and not starting.

Canada
1 Hubert Buydens
2 Ryan Hamilton
3 Andrew Tiedemann
4 Brett Beukeboom
5 Tyler Hotson
6 Nanyak Dala
7 Chauncey O'Toole
8 Aaron Carpenter (C)
9 Sean White
10 Matt Evans
11 Ciaran Hearn
12 Mike Scholz
13 DTH Van der Merwe
14 Sean Duke
15 James Pritchard

Reserves
16 Jason Marshall
17 Tom Dolezel
18 Jebb Sinclair
19 Tyler Ardron
20 Kyle Armstrong
21 Phil Mackenzie
22 Jeff Hassler

Coach Kieran Crowley
Manager Gareth Rees

USA
1 Mike MacDonald
2 Chris Biller
3 Eric Fry
4 Louis Stanfill
5 Brian Doyle
6 Scott Lavalla
7 Andrew Durutalo
8 Todd Clever (C)
9 Mike Petri
10 Will Holder
11 Luke Hume
12 Andrew Suniula
13 Paul Emerick
14 James Paterson
15 Chris Wyles

Reserves
16 Derek Asbun
17 Shawn Pittman
18 Tom Katzfey
19 Taylor Mokate
20 Shaun Davies
21 Roland Suniula
22 Colin Hawley

Coach Mike Tolkin
Manager Tristan Lewis

About time Gareth Rees was involved again. My favorite Canadian Player tied with Charron. Great technical coach (Eric Fry can tell you bit about that) and has a bit of charisma about him. I met him a few times when I was young and my dad asked if that was William Shatner.
Speaking of Gareth Rees, when watching Invictus, my rugby ignorant dad told about this incident: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/three-are-suspended-after-brawl-1585142.html

Favorite part:
"Pienaar admitted that his team were "a bit scared and shaken" afterwards. And, quite frankly, who could blame them? Hannes Strydom, their enormous lock, left the field with blood pouring from his face and earlier on they had also lost Gavin Johnson and Joel Stransky."

They didn't mentiion that in Invictus.

As Don Cherry would say, sounds like some good Canadian boys, nothing like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ydbATVriqA (One of the instigators, Brendan Shanahan, is now the main disciplinarian for the National Hockey League.)

Wow, we really are a bunch of goons.

I think Sinclair will be on bench due to travel and the fact he's played a lot of rugby recently. I also heard about Mackenzie suffering a few minor injuries, nothing major but enough to warrant a bit of light duty.

Little Guy, about those videos you posted, that was an excellent try-saving tackle by Pritchard. He takes a bit of stick sometimes as he is the fullback but he's been nothing but a soldier for his adopted country. He did not well in France game but that was understandable with a new baby being born an all. I may have to make the short travel to Bedford and give him a bit of Canadian love next season as he definately deserves (or doesn't depends on how you look at it.)

 

[LittleGuy]

I had thought about fatigue being an issue with Sinclair being on the bench, better to have him fresh for the Italy game where he will definately be needed. I like seeing Duke in the lineup he has some serious speed, Hearn might do OK in this game as it should be a more physical test, he can also back up Pritch in the goal kicking duties and can slot in at a number of positions if injury concerns come up.

Bedford are a good team Canucks if you can get down to a game it will be worth the trip they also have Canadian Mark Kohler in their squad and he looks like an up and coming player. Pritchard has been one of the most committed Canadian players I can think of even though he isn't a native born son, seeing him try to get back into the Japan game even though he had been knocked out completely was inspiring.

Edit: Also noticed that Clive Griffiths was listed as an assistant coach with Canada for the game, he did some great work for Canada's defence I thought he was coaching League in Wales at the moment though. Anyways if he's with the team it's great news he's a hidden gem in the coaching world.

 

[Canucks]

I had thought about fatigue being an issue with Sinclair being on the bench, better to have him fresh for the Italy game where he will definately be needed. I like seeing Duke in the lineup he has some serious speed, Hearn might do OK in this game as it should be a more physical test, he can also back up Pritch in the goal kicking duties and can slot in at a number of positions if injury concerns come up.

Bedford are a good team Canucks if you can get down to a game it will be worth the trip they also have Canadian Mark Kohler in their squad and he looks like an up and coming player. Pritchard has been one of the most committed Canadian players I can think of even though he isn't a native born son, seeing him try to get back into the Japan game even though he had been knocked out completely was inspiring.

Edit: Also noticed that Clive Griffiths was listed as an assistant coach with Canada for the game, he did some great work for Canada's defence I thought he was coaching League in Wales at the moment though. Anyways if he's with the team it's great news he's a hidden gem in the coaching world.

Nothing but some good team building. I really looking forward to this today, hopefully the stream can hold up. I never thought we'd see the day where some of our best players are on the bench as subs. Previously, we haven't been in a position to do that.

I've heard the name numerous times but never knew much about Clive Griffiths. Maybe this is where some of the extra money is going for Rugby Canada.

I think I am going to go a few games in Bedford. I support the Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers, why not make it an East Midlands trifecta. Yes, I know they are rivals but I live in Northampton and play in Leicester so I have to be a bit of a double agent or face some consequences.

 

[Canucks]

One man game day thread here we come.

Great try Evans!!!!

 

[Canucks]

Bad defensive read by Hearn. It happens.

 

[Canucks]

great finish Hearn. USA seems apprehensive of hitting Canada when they attack the gaps.

 

[Canucks]

Pritchard is automatic

 

[Canucks]

Canada doesn't look interested at first point of contact.

 

[Canucks]

Pritchard making up for France.


What no one else has anything to say?

 

[Canucks]

Yay half time.

 

[LittleGuy]

Pritchard making up for France.


What no one else has anything to say?

Don't want to risk slowing down the stream....bad decision not to go for goal towards the end of the half there, brutal camerawork LOL. Hearn finally with a try. Pritchard is money when he's on his game.

Couple of good breaks by Evans....Clever has been immense for the States....as always.

Edit: agreed with the contact Canucks...as well handling has been poor from both teams although the sides have been running their lines well, hitting the line on good angles.

Edit Edit: Looks like a solid crowd good turnout, not quite a sellout but looks close. Must be at least 6-7,000 there.

 

[Canucks]

Don't want to risk slowing down the stream....bad decision not to go for goal towards the end of the half there, brutal camerawork LOL. Hearn finally with a try. Pritchard is money when he's on his game.

Couple of good breaks by Evans....Clever has been immense for the States....as always.

Edit: agreed with the contact Canucks...as well handling has been poor from both teams although the sides have been running their lines well, hitting the line on good angles.

Yay company!

Canada isn't really attacking consistently though. Same thing happened vs Japan, whenever we went to the backs it was a huge gain. Oh well, huge advantage with Sinclair, Marshall and Mackenzie on the bench.

 

[LittleGuy]

Yay company!

Canada isn't really attacking consistently though. Same thing happened vs Japan, whenever we went to the backs it was a huge gain. Oh well, huge advantage with Sinclair, Marshall and Mackenzie on the bench.

Yeah shame about Duke getting hurt but Canada has better bench depth.... White is having a bit of a rough one...looks like Canada is panicking on some of those breaks chipping ahead instead of keeping the ball in hand...Holder had a brutal conversion there for the States on the first try LOL. 20-18 for Canada if anyone else is wondering.

Edit: Here we come 2nd half I'll talk to you towards the end of the game Canucks I don't want to take any bandwidth away from the stream.

 

[Canucks]

this is a gross, ugly game

 

[Canucks]

Oh that was a beautiful pass by DTH

 

[LittleGuy]

Wow very sloppy, got out of dodge on that one...28-25 for Canada, Pritchard really won this one for Canada 5/6 on kicks. Carpenter played well...but there were a lot of guys who made some brutal mistakes...I think Hamilton fumbling it off that kickoff pretty much summed up the game. I'm not sure if it was mentioned but did O'Toole get a yellow card looked like he was sitting in the bin for a while.

Got to tighten some things up big time next week for Italy.

Final score: Canada 28-25 U.S.A.

Canada:
Tries:
Evans
Hearn
Carpenter

Conversions:
Pritchard 2(3)

Penalties:
Pritchard:3(3)
Hearn: 0(1)

U.S.A.
Tries:
Hume
Paterson
LaValla

Conversions:
Holder: 2(3)

Penalties:
Holder:2(4)

 

[dudeabides]

Canada played really well congrats to them. At least the American team was able to hang in there and keep it interesting. I was over at coresports thought their stream worked pretty well for most of it, fun to watch in fullscreen. Next up for both teams: Georgia and Italy. More good ones on the way.

 

[LittleGuy]

Canada played really well congrats to them. At least the American team was able to hang in there and keep it interesting. I was over at coresports thought their stream worked pretty well for most of it, fun to watch in fullscreen. Next up for both teams: Georgia and Italy. More good ones on the way.

Yeah I only had one problem with the stream in the 2nd half...they needed to use the halfway camera more. The States played well Clever was a beast out there...him or Pritchard for man of the match.

 

[Canucks]

Eww that was a really, really bad game. Kudos to the states for clawing back into it. Clever as always was a best.

Scrum was crap at points. Could not control the breakdowns. Really needed to simplify the attack or maybe hold onto a ball. Definately one to forget.

Tight 5: Played well, I think the heat was just too much at points.
Back 3: Dala made some big tracking tackles. Carpenter MOTM. For an undersized N8 he is everywhere and looks so hard to takedown. O'toole seemed to have an off game.

Sean White had a rough one. Canada seemed to lack composure at times and some of that had to do with a little impatience at times.

I liked Evans at 10. Scholz and DTH were good when they had the ball.

Aside from one bad read Hearn played ok. Duke/Hassler barely had the ball.

Pritchard's kicking won the game.

Next is Italy.

 

[LittleGuy]

Eww that was a really, really bad game. Kudos to the states for clawing back into it. Clever as always was a best.

Scrum was crap at points. Could not control the breakdowns. Really needed to simplify the attack or maybe hold onto a ball. Definately one to forget.

Tight 5: Played well, I think the heat was just too much at points.
Back 3: Dala made some big tracking tackles. Carpenter MOTM. For an undersized N8 he is everywhere and looks so hard to takedown. O'toole seemed to have an off game.

Sean White had a rough one. Canada seemed to lack composure at times and some of that had to do with a little impatience at times.

I liked Evans at 10. Scholz and DTH were good when they had the ball.

Aside from one bad read Hearn played ok. Duke/Hassler barely had the ball.

Pritchard's kicking won the game.

Next is Italy.

Agreed with White he was probably the weakest link for us today, I think His Edness' composure would have slowed the ball down it looked as Brian said in the commentary that Canada were panicking and trying to play at a million miles an hour...Evans did well at FH.