Canada's Autumn Internationals

[Canadian_Rugger]

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#cccccc"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Sat, Nov. 6 [/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]TBA[/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Canada [/FONT]</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Belgium [/FONT]</td><td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Brussels, Belgium[/FONT]</td> </tr><tr style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <td align="left" nowrap="nowrap"> [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] Sat, Nov. 13 [/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]TBA[/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Canada [/FONT]</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Spain [/FONT]</td><td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Madrid, Spain[/FONT]</td> </tr><tr style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <td align="left" nowrap="nowrap"> [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] Sat, Nov. 20 [/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]TBA[/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Canada [/FONT]</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Georgia Lelos [/FONT]</td><td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Tbilisi, Georgia[/FONT]</td> </tr><tr style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <td align="left" nowrap="nowrap"> [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] Sat, Nov. 27 [/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]TBA[/FONT]</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Canada [/FONT]</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Portugal [/FONT]</td><td align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" nowrap="nowrap">[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica] [/FONT]
</td> <td>[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]Lisbon, Portugal[/FONT]</td></tr></tbody></table>(Taken from Rugby Canada's Website)

So this is the first time in a number of years that Canada has no internationals vs Tier 1 nations and I for one welcome the change. We are for once, playing games that our boys have a chance of winning and a good chance at that.

The Belgium game is a warm-up game where we will throw on our "A" side to blood new players. I see us easily getting past Portugal and Spain (Canada played Portugal prior to the RWC 2007 and beat them 40-12) the Georgian game should be the most competitive but I can still see Canada pulling off a victory.

 

[LittleGuy]

I would have liked to see one game against a tier one country perhaps Scotland or Italy but I agree with you rugger I was sick of Canada getting killed in 2-3 games out of 4 game tours. Belgium should be an easy win even for the A side and I don't think Spain should be much more difficult for the full mens team, Portugal played Canada much closer at home in 2008 then they did before in 2007 but I still think with a good Pro side out as the last game in the tour Canada can win by 15-20. Georgia will be a challenge in Tblisi if Canada loses a game it will be here although in 2009 Churchill Cup Canada spanked them this time Canada is on road. I'm hoping a lot of the professionals will turn up for last three games, I expect most of the guys playing in the RFU championship will turn out (Pritchard et. al.) and hopefully Van De Merwe and Evans from the Magners League, but I would think the French clubs will be more reluctant to release the Cudmore brothers and Josh Jackson.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd've liked to have seen a Canada vs Italy match,
I think that'd be a decent match up, with Canada getting better each Churchill cup and getting more experience playing against stronger sides.

 

[Shaggy]

I guess Georgia and Portugal might provide some competition for Canada (depending on who's available for Canada), and it may help with finalising player combinations, but i get the feeling that these games are going to more beneficial to the likes of Georgia and Portugal

... I was looking for who Canada get to play in 2011, prior to the RWC ... some games against 2nd tier sides such as Tonga and Japan would be nice ... anyway, i couldn't find anything - does anybody know?

 

[LittleGuy]

Well they should have the Churchill cup still in July, so games against maybe Uruguay, US, and an A side from the Six Nations. I'm guessing they will probably play an additional Test, against somebody needing to supplment their own Spring Tour schedule it probably won't be determined for some time as the fall tour was only finalized about 2 months before it is actually going to happen.

 

[Shaggy]

Well they should have the Churchill cup still in July, so games against maybe Uruguay, US, and an A side from the Six Nations. I'm guessing they will probably play an additional Test, against somebody needing to supplment their own Spring Tour schedule it probably won't be determined for some time as the fall tour was only finalized about 2 months before it is actually going to happen.

Thanks ... i'll keep my eyes open, for that test ... hopefully Canada can go one better in the Churchill Cup

 

[CDN_Rugby]

I heard a rumour that Canada is supposed to play a one off test against the Aussies this spring, much like they did with the All Blacks back in 2007. Take it for what its worth.

And by the way, why the hell are we playing Belgium? I thought we could book better fixtures than that...

 

[LittleGuy]

I'm surprised a push wasn't made for a match with Italy which I think would have been a good contest for both teams. I think we got stuck with Belgium as the only option left for a 4th match, I'm guessing Romania would have been part of the tour but are busy with their WC qualifiers with Uruguay. Russia we played last November and they are doing a South American tour. The Pacfic Islands and Namibia are too far from Europe, a Japan tour was done last year. The United States we play most years at either the Churchiill or in WC qualifiers. The Tri Nations were busy with their grand slam tours as were their opponents the home nations.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Though I understand Canadians are probably sick of getting hammered in 3/4 of the fixtures in the autumn I'm sure playing the bigger teams would be more beneficial to them as although they may get smashed they would be playing against the best and learning. You only get better by playing the best teams consistently imo which is why Warren Gatland is trying to get Wales to play the top teams such as the boks, all blacks and wallabies more often. So for Canada, no disrespect they want to aim to play games against the teams just slightly above them and which are the next step up or around the same level like Japan, Samoa, Italy, U.S.A or Tonga

 

[Seaton]

Well, you need to get into the habit of winning as well, and, as I am sure you know, gives players confidence which imo is just as important as having the skills to play rugby (to a certain degree of course)
I think Canada are taking the right approach here, playing big teams in between WC years, then stocking fixtures against beatable opponents the year leading up to the WC, to get the confidence and put into practice what was learnt during the cycle

 

[MichaelBoard]

Well, you need to get into the habit of winning as well, and, as I am sure you know, gives players confidence which imo is just as important as having the skills to play rugby (to a certain degree of course)
I think Canada are taking the right approach here, playing big teams in between WC years, then stocking fixtures against beatable opponents the year leading up to the WC, to get the confidence and put into practice what was learnt during the cycle

I was going to say of course theres a fine line. Do you play good teams which are going to improve you or do you play teams that you know you are likely to beat which will give you momentum and confidence so I take your point on board as I already had considered it. Perhaps in the next set of Autumn Internationals the Canadians could play two good teams and two lesser teams? Maybe in the order: Beatable Team, followed by good team, beatable team, followed by good team or 2 beatable teams followed by 2 good teams. Maybe this would give the Canadians abit of momentum and confidence going into the bigger games if their confidence was sky high and they had the momentum.

 

[Run34]

I heard a rumour that Canada is supposed to play a one off test against the Aussies this spring, much like they did with the All Blacks back in 2007. Take it for what its worth.

And by the way, why the hell are we playing Belgium? I thought we could book better fixtures than that...

In 2011 the Canadian squad will once again compete in the Churchill Cup, in August the team will play two matches versus the United States, and then Canada will fly to Australia to play an Australia 'A' side and a provincial team. Canada then will fly over to New Zealand for the RWC.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sp...f-one-year-away-in-new-zealand-102486194.html

 

[LittleGuy]

Canada's team selections for the Fall tour, note that some of the amateur and uncapped players will probably only play in the Belgium game and that the professionals should join the team for the 2nd through 4th games. Check out Rugby Canada's website for mmore details.



Nick Blevins (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Connor Braid* (BC Bears)
Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion)
Tom Dolezel (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Sean Duke (BC Bears)
Brian Erichsen (BC Bears)
Matt Evans (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Mitch Gudgeon* (BC Bears)
Ryan Hamilton (BC Bears)
Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)
Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears)
Tyler Hotson (Plymouth Albion)
Josh Jackson (Mont de Marsan)
Adam Kleeberger (Unattached)
Jeremy Kyne* (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Jamie Mackenzie* (Ontario Blues)
Phil Mackenzie (Esher)
Jason Marshall (BC Bears)
Justin Mensah-Coker (Unattached)
Ander Monro (Ontario Blues)
Chauncey O’Toole (The Rock)
Taylor Paris* (Ontario Blues)
Jon Phelan* (The Rock)
Dan Pletch (Ontario Blues)
James Pritchard (Bedford Blues)
Pat Riordan (BC Bears)
Jebb Sinclair (The Rock)
Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Sean- Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion)
Andrew Tiedemann (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors)
DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors)
Sean White (BC Bears)

* Denotes uncapped player

Unavailableâ€" Ed Fairhurst, Stan McKeen, Conor Trainor
Injured â€" Nanyak Dala, Luke Tait, Phil Mack (Scheduled surgery)
Suspended â€" Jamie Cudmore

Coach Kieran Crowley

I think the team will miss McKeen, Fairhurst and all three injured players, not sure if Cudmore would have made himself available anyway since he only usually does at World Cups. Van Der Merwe, Pritchard and Mackenzie are on great form at their respective clubs and it looks like Tkachuk is getting back into good health as well. Hopefully Mensah-Coker, Kleeberger and O'Toole have good tours I think they are capable of playing in Europe especially in the RFU Championship or D2.

 

[LittleGuy]

Starting lineup for the game against Belgium this Saturday. Could be up to five new caps. Kleeberger and O'Toole were playing professionally just a couple of weeks ago, and the team has many members off of the sevens circuit. There is still an effort being made to provide online coverage, but I wouldn't bank on it, Good old twitter updates may be the best Canadian rugby fans can expect which is pretty sad. Hopefully the more important matches of the tour coverage will be provided. I couldn't find anything on the Belgian lineup.

1 Tom Dolezel (Prairie Wolf Pack)
2 Pat Riordan Captain (BC Bears)
3 Jason Marshall (BC Bears)
4 Jebb Sinclair (The Rock)
5 Brian Erichsen (BC Bears)
6 Chauncey O'Toole (The Rock)
7 Adam Kleeberger (Unattached)
8 Jeremy Kyne (Prairie Wolf Pack)
9 Sean White (BC Bears)
10 Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears)
11 Sean Duke (BC Bears)
12 Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack)
13 Nick Blevins (Prairie Wolf Pack)
14 Taylor Paris (Ontario Blues)
15 Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)

Replacments
16 Andrew Tiedemann (Prairie Wolf Pack)
17 Dan Pletch (Ontario Blues)
18 Jon Phelan (The Rock)
19 Mitch Gudgeon (BC Bears)
20 Jamie MacKenzie (Ontario Blues)
21 Ander Monro (Ontario Blues)
22 Connor Braid (BC Bears)

 

[Melhor Time]

Belgium vs Canada

Little Guy

Nice post. I am looking forward to this match! Here is my match preview taken from <!-- w -->www.rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com<!-- w -->

Canadian coach Kieran Crowley has named his side to face Belgium in the first ever international rugby match between the two countries this Saturday in Brussels. In a ame that Canada are expected to win and to do so comfortably they will be tested as much as possible from one of europe´s emerging sides. Canada are going into the game without all European based players. Only one player has been playing in Europe this season as Chaucey O'Toole played the earlier part of the current Magners League season for the Glasgow Warriors but is now back listed as a player for The Rock. His backrow partner, Adam Kleeberger is the only player not based in Canada.

Canada has named two debuants in the starting XV in 18 year old winger, Taylor Paris and backrower, Jeremy Kyne. Canada´s star newcomer in the recent Americas Rugby Championship in Argentina, Connor Braid has been awarded with a spot on the bench as have Mitch Gudgeon, Jamie Mackenzie and Jon Phelan who have all been named on the Canadian bench. The high number of young players in the match day 22 suggests that Canada are using the match to experiment. While this is true, Canada have been careful to also ensure tried and tested players are on the field too. Canada has named both Nathan Hirayama and Ryan Smith at 10 and 12 to organize the backs. Both players are amongst Canada´s best backs. In addition first choice players including Pat Riordan, Chaucey O'Toole, Adam Kleeberger and Sean White are all in the starting XV.

Prediction - Canada to be too strong. Canada´s backrow should be very strong and Hirayama and Smith should link well with the speedsters. Canada to win by 30 points.

Canada
1 Tom Dolezel (Prairie Wolf Pack), 2 Pat Riordan (Captain - BC Bears), 3 Jason Marshall (BC Bears), 4 Jebb Sinclair (The Rock), 5 Brian Erichsen (BC Bears), 6 Chaucey O'Toole (The Rock), 7 Adam Kleeberger (Auckland, New Zealand), 8 Jeremy Kyne (Prairie Wolf Pack), 9 Sean White (BC Bears), 10 Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears), 11 Sean Duke (BC Bears), 12 Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack), 13 Nick Blevins (Prairie Wolf Pack), 14 Taylor Paris (Ontario Blues), 15 Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)

Replacments: 16 Andrew Tiedemann (Prairie Wolf Pack), 17 Dan Pletch (Ontario Blues), 18 Jon Phelan (The Rock), 19 Mitch Gudgeon (BC Bears), 20 Jamie MacKenzie (Ontario Blues), 21 Ander Monro (Ontario Blues), 22 Connor Braid (BC Bears)

Belgium
To be named

 

[LittleGuy]

I agree with your thoughts on the matchup, this is a chance for Canada to get some new players into international action. I think the backs are strong as you stated and the options of Monro and Braid on the bench are there if Canada struggles for any reason. Up front Canada's flankers are excellent but the front five especially outside Riordan are the weak links. I wish I could find the Belgian lineup this might give me more insight into the result, but I think 30 as a margin seems a good number. It takes into account Canada missing some of their finishers Van de Merwe, Pritchard et al. and the fact that Belgium will be at home and accoring to organizers they expect a crowd of 8,000 which would be most impressive number. Chauncey O'Toole was recently released by Glasgow to clear up space for players returning from injury. A few other players have also played in Europe in previous years, Monro played in Italy and Smyth in England for example so there is some experience in this team.

Here is an article written by Patrick McCarry that provides details on the Belgian (Black Devils) that Canada will face and some of the top Belgian players are profiled in detail looks like 4 or 5 guys on the team do play in France so their is some skill but I think depth will be an issue for the Belgians http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/ne...D=0&page=48065

 

[LittleGuy]

Canada 43-12 Belgium(26-5 at half) in wet conditions before about 5,000 fans in Brussels, Tries by. Riordan(2), Dolezel, White, Duke and Monro. Conversions. Hirayama(3) Monro(2) Penalty goals. Monro with one. Belgium had two tries one of which was converted. Solid performace by Canada mssing their top ten players, but nothing spectacular, Belgium can take away some positives with a couple of tries if front of thier home crowd.

 

[Toko_11]

Hello to the Canadians, i cant wait to see you in Georgia finally we can watch interesting game. beating teams like Russia and Romania year after year can get boring I'm glad that this time we are going to play a better side. I hope we will manage to get all the good players from Top14 sides. we also have a new coach(Richie Dixon) and its going to be his first game so I'm really looking forward to it. as for the chances I think we are favorites at home no matter who we are playing (as long as its not tier one country) I would say 60% - 40% if we have our best side on the pitch. Good luck to you anyway

 

[LittleGuy]

Here is a link to the archived broadcast of the game for those interested, hope you have all been taking your French lessons though LOL as thats what the commentary is in, its clear that the pitch was a mess and the condtions less then ideal some good old fashioned hard nosed rugby though. There are also interviews and reactions to the game at the site.

First half http://www.eknetwork.tv/explorer/videos/299?video_id=648

Second half http://www.eknetwork.tv/explorer/videos/299?video_id=649

 

[alexrugby]

I guess Georgia and Portugal might provide some competition for Canada (depending on who's available for Canada), and it may help with finalising player combinations, but i get the feeling that these games are going to more beneficial to the likes of Georgia and Portugal

... I was looking for who Canada get to play in 2011, prior to the RWC ... some games against 2nd tier sides such as Tonga and Japan would be nice ... anyway, i couldn't find anything - does anybody know?

Not only "some competition" buddy, team is preparing for winning actually

Do not judge Georgia due to it's results on Churchill Cup, where rookies played mostly