Canada vs. USA, RWC warm up home and away series.

[bcsomos]

Yeah, Evans or Mackenzie need to play 12. No faith in Smith, but even less in Scholz. And for anyone who is interested, here's a highlight package I found:


EDIT: Did anyone else think Cudmore's yellow card was harsh?

I think his reputation preceds him... even on a southern hemisphere ref. For the same reason Shawn Avery gets penalties in the NHL that others may get a pass on.

 

[ThisIsAmerRugby]

Here is my reaction to the match (including the American Three Stars (stolen from Hockey Night in Canada)). Hopefully the Eagles play better next week. I think the Eagles have found some players at certain positions, but others are still up in the air.

 

[formerlyfastwing]

Smith is horrible, he is not the solution.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Smith is horrible, he is not the solution.

Between Smith and Scholz, I'll take Smith.

Realistically though, if Mackenzie or Evans isn't playing inside centre at the RWC, Crowley's gone mad. Hirayama might even be an option...

 

[Me 1]

Looked to me like Cudmore yellow card was similar to Phillips'. Very harsh.

 

[formerlyfastwing]

Between Smith and Scholz, I'll take Smith.

Realistically though, if Mackenzie or Evans isn't playing inside centre at the RWC, Crowley's gone mad. Hirayama might even be an option...

Smith is neither physical or inventive with the ball in hand. I can't really tell why he is even in the squad.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

On another note, since the Churchill Cup has since dissolved, what do you guys think of USA and Canada joining the Pacific nations cup next year?

 

[CDN_Rugby]

On another note, since the Churchill Cup has since dissolved, what do you guys think of USA and Canada joining the Pacific nations cup next year?

It would be the best possible thing for Canadian rugby. However, it won't be happening. Apparently with the Churchill Cup's demise the IRB has managed to get tier 1 sides to tour North America annually.

Not a bad substitute, but playing in the Pacific Nations Cup would be 10x as good.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

It would be the best possible thing for Canadian rugby. However, it won't be happening. Apparently with the Churchill Cup's demise the IRB has managed to get tier 1 sides to tour North America annually.

Not a bad substitute, but playing in the Pacific Nations Cup would be 10x as good.

I think for them to grow, it is better to play regular competition against teams around their level and I think the Pacific nations cup would provide that. Not to mention that logistically they are all very close to each other so why not? Bringing the competition back to 6 nations means more games for us fans which means more rugby. Plus I think it would definatly spice up an already exciting, albeit short, competition if they were to be included. I'm sure the P.I nations and Japan would definatly welcome them with open arms to the competition.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

In an ideal world the tournament would be known as the "Pacific Six Nations" and would include Tonga, Japan, Fiji, U.S.A., Samoa, and Canada. Ditch the Junior All Blacks and Aussie "A" side and every game is a full international test.

Talk about an unpredictable tournament!

 

[Shaggy]

In an ideal world the tournament would be known as the "Pacific Six Nations" and would include Tonga, Japan, Fiji, U.S.A., Samoa, and Canada. Ditch the Junior All Blacks and Aussie "A" side and every game is a full international test.

Talk about an unpredictable tournament!

Sounds like a good tournament (Junior ABs and Aussie A haven't been in it the last couple of years anyway) ... it would be great if the Pacific Six Nations, AND the tier one tours could occur as well

 

[M Two One]

In an ideal world the tournament would be known as the "Pacific Six Nations" and would include Tonga, Japan, Fiji, U.S.A., Samoa, and Canada. Ditch the Junior All Blacks and Aussie "A" side and every game is a full international test.

Talk about an unpredictable tournament!

That would be stellar, but the travel time would be unbelievably difficult to cope with going to and from the North American nations.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

That would be stellar, but the travel time would be unbelievably difficult to cope with going to and from the North American nations.

The last two tournemants have been based in one country (bar the first game this year was played in Japan). If it could be viable to play the course of the competition in 3 and a half weeks basing it in one country each year then i dont see it to be too much of a problem.

 

[M Two One]

That would be a good idea. Now it makes you wonder why this isn't already underway.

 

[Shaggy]

The last two tournemants have been based in one country (bar the first game this year was played in Japan). If it could be viable to play the course of the competition in 3 and a half weeks basing it in one country each year then i dont see it to be too much of a problem.

Could also have an Americas comp with say Canada, USA, Mexico?, and Uruguay, etc, with the top 2 playing off in a series with the top 2 from the Pacific Nations cup, with the play off being hosted by a different country each year, as you've suggested

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Could also have an Americas comp with say Canada, USA, Mexico?, and Uruguay, etc, with the top 2 playing off in a series with the top 2 from the Pacific Nations cup, with the play off being hosted by a different country each year, as you've suggested

Not sure if that would really benefit Canada. Canada routinely puts up 20 points on the U.S. so I imagine the other games against Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, etc. would be won by far larger margins.

Also, I wouldn't mind an "Americas Tri-Nations" where Canada, the U.S.A., and the Argentina Jaguars play a competition similar in style to the SANZAR Tri-Nations. That wouldn't be bad, but I'd still rather have Canada playing in the Pacific Nations Cup.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

That would be a good idea. Now it makes you wonder why this isn't already underway.

Exactly....Why not? Would benefit North American rugby as well as the countries playing in the Pacific 4 nations. MORE COMPETITION = MORE EXCITEMENT !

 

[LittleGuy]

There was a competition like this in the nineties and early 2000's, its last sponsor was Epson, and featured all the Pacific countries, it was an excellent tournament that produced some high quality rugby. I have always wanted to see it revived.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

There was a competition like this in the nineties and early 2000's, its last sponsor was Epson, and featured all the Pacific countries, it was an excellent tournament that produced some high quality rugby. I have always wanted to see it revived.

Yeah that was the Pacific Rim Championship. I think it was too long (almost 2 months) plus the travel issues is probably why it was abolished. But as I said if they can shorten it and have the competition based in one place each year I think it could be viable again.

 

[formerlyfastwing]

Yeah that was the Pacific Rim Championship. I think it was too long plus the travel issues is probably why it was abolished. But as I said if they can shorten it and have the competition based in one place each year I think it could be viable again.

may be an option is to have two confernaces....you only play in your conferance, and then the have a play off, each year you could mix the conferance(s) up so they are always different