Canada's Autumn Internationals

[Shaggy]

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

I'm sure Georgia are preparing to win the game, my point is, from Canada's perspective, that when you are on the last tour of Europe before the World Cup, you want games (if possible) that can go either way and/or play against teams that are ranked near or above you.

I'm not sure how much benefit it was to Canada beating Belgium

 

[CDN_Rugby]

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?

Apparently after the Churchill Cup, Canada will have a one off test with the U.S. in Toronto, before playing Australia "A" and another Aussie team before heading to New Zealand. Not bad, but it would be nice to play a test match with a tier one side too. Perhaps Scotland or Italy?

 

[LittleGuy]

Line up for the game against Spain this Saturday.

1. Dan Pletch
2. Pat Riordan
3. Jason Marshall
4. Josh Jackson
5. Tyler Hotson
6. Chauncey O'Toole
7. Adam Kleeberger
8. Aaron Carpenter
9. Sean White
10. Ander Monro
11. Ciaran Hearn
12. Phillip Mackenzie
13. DTH Van De Merwe
14. Taylor Paris
15. James Pritchard

Bench

16. Tom Dolezel
17. Kevin Tkachuk
18. Jon Phelan
19. Jebb Sinclair
20. Sean Michel Stephen
21. Jamie Mackenzie
22. Justin Mensah-Coker

Manager Kieran Crowley

Hopefully Van de Merwe and Pritchard can carry their great club seasons over to the international game, I'm a little surprised that Paris is getting another start but Kieran Crowley must be very excited about what he sees perhaps this explains Matt Evans absence from the 22. This squad should be weakest at the prop positions but some help has been brought in at flanker. A lot more speed has been injected over the side that faced Belgium and I like putting Monro in the starting 15 rather then on the bench he has the ability to make plays happen as seen against France A and when he came in at the end of last week's game. Hirayama was injured last week and is out for the tour also some of the other amateur and domestic players have already returned home now that the IRB test window has opened up and the pros are available.

Canada is indeed playing a test match versus the United States at BMO field scheduled for August 6th of next year for those wondering about the pre world cup games.

 

[alexrugby]

I'm sure Georgia are preparing to win the game, my point is, from Canada's perspective, that when you are on the last tour of Europe before the World Cup, you want games (if possible) that can go either way and/or play against teams that are ranked near or above you.

I'm not sure how much benefit it was to Canada beating Belgium

agreed, Canada is pretty good team, not untouchable of course

also agreed that playing against good teams benefits Georgia's team in preparation for RWC 2011

Anyway match will be held on November 20th in Tbilisi, I will be there and look for good rugby from both sides

 

[Shaggy]

agreed, Canada is pretty good team, not untouchable of course

also agreed that playing against good teams benefits Georgia's team in preparation for RWC 2011

Anyway match will be held on November 20th in Tbilisi, I will be there and look for good rugby from both sides

Yep, should be an excellent match - are you going to it (or the USA game) Alex? ... i'll have to look out for a link to the game

 

[rusty_lock]

I keep hearing about the Australia A game but can't find and confirmation of it anywhere on the net. The link posted earlier to the winipeg free press article is now dead.

 

[rusty_lock]

These opponents have been selected for us by the IRB. Canada really doesn't have a whole lot of say in the matter. 68 % of Rugby Canada's budget comes from the IRB so the IRB sets the agenda for who we play. Proverbs says The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender so we play Belgium, Portugul and Spain this November.

A lot of people were upset that we didn't get any real good competition this fall, Georgia not withstanding, but it was a decision made in Dublin to give tier II two nations a crack at some higher level competition. We got a crack in 08 with games against Ireland, Scotland and Wales so it only seems fair. It won't really hurt not to lose 55 - 0 like we did to Ireland in 08 but then we are probably a better team so it might not have been so bad. I was at the Ireland Canada game in Vancouver in 09 and while it was a depleted lineup due to British/Irish Lions call up, we certainly acquitted ourselves better.

I have enjoyed reading the thread and when I'm back from the Chiropractor I will address a couple of posts more specifically

 

[rusty_lock]

Line up for the game against Spain this Saturday.

1. Dan Pletch
2. Pat Riordan
3. Jason Marshall
4. Josh Jackson
5. Tyler Hotson
6. Chauncey O'Toole
7. Adam Kleeberger
8. Aaron Carpenter
9. Sean White
10. Ander Monro
11. Ciaran Hearn
12. Phillip Mackenzie
13. DTH Van De Merwe
14. Taylor Paris
15. James Pritchard

Bench

16. Tom Dolezel
17. Kevin Tkachuk
18. Jon Phelan
19. Jebb Sinclair
20. Sean Michel Stephen
21. Jamie Mackenzie
22. Justin Mensah-Coker

Manager Kieran Crowley

Hopefully Van de Merwe and Pritchard can carry their great club seasons over to the international game, I'm a little surprised that Paris is getting another start but Kieran Crowley must be very excited about what he sees perhaps this explains Matt Evans absence from the 22. This squad should be weakest at the prop positions but some help has been brought in at flanker. A lot more speed has been injected over the side that faced Belgium and I like putting Monro in the starting 15 rather then on the bench he has the ability to make plays happen as seen against France A and when he came in at the end of last week's game. Hirayama was injured last week and is out for the tour also some of the other amateur and domestic players have already returned home now that the IRB test window has opened up and the pros are available.

Canada is indeed playing a test match versus the United States at BMO field scheduled for August 6th of next year for those wondering about the pre world cup games.

This is closer to a full strength line up with a few exceptions I suspect a couple more changes for the Georgia game. However, I'm surprised by Dan Pletch's inclusion into the starting 15. I really thought the Pletchs were out of favour. I wasn't all that impressed with either of them during the Canadian Rugby Championship. Tkachuk is coming of injury so I imagine they are trying to manage him carefully. Bottom line is Canada is seriously hurting for international calibre props. Taylor Paris ahead of JMC was a shock to me. It will be interesting to see if that selection holds up through out the tour or if a rotation policy will be in place. JMC played well in the churchill cup and has been around the Canada setup with the 7's. I don't think Hirayama was intended to travel the whole way. He is a student at University of Victoria and taking a month off just prior to exams after missing time for the commonwealth games is probably quite impracticable. Matt Evans absence is likely due to him recovering from a slight ****le he picked up play for Newports Development side. At least that was what his dad said might keep him out. We'll see Matt against Georgia and Portugul.

I was disappointed with the Chauncey O'toole and Adam Kleeberger play against Belgium. I know both have not had much game time in the last few months but I expected them to reek havoc at the breakdown on Belgium and that was not the case.

DTH playing at 13 is an exciting prospect. They moved him in a spot june of 09 vs. Ireland and wales and I thought the experiment went well. He is a natural winger but they really wanted to get him more ball so moving him in one spot seems to accomplish that. His numbers in the Magners league are nothing short of magnificent. Pritchard is a steady hand and a great goal kicker. No fears back there

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Bottom line is Canada is seriously hurting for international calibre props.

True that. I don't know why we don't take a page out of Japan's book and try to poach some foreign players. You look at their roster and 1/3rd of the names are of either anglo or pacific island origin. If I was Crowley I would be scanning the AP and Magners League looking for a tighthead who has Canadian bloodlines. Every other nation takes advantage of this on an annual basis, so why not Canada? Against top nations (even tier 2) we concede too many penalty try's. The scrum is without a doubt Canada's biggest problem going forward, and the Pletch's certainly don't help.

And on an unrelated note, I am predicting a 52-7 win for Canada vs Spain.

 

[Melhor Time]

Canada to win by 25 points

Good changes but changes that show the real game is yet to come and will be in Tblissi the following saturday. I posted a piece about Spain vs Canada on my blog. Check it out:

http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com/2010/11/spain-vs-canada.html

 

[LittleGuy]

Thank you for the update on the Matt Evans injury rustylock this explains his absence. I also thought the Pletch's were out of favour but perhaps KC is giving them one last chance or Canada was just desperate for any warm body at prop. I meant to say that help had been brought in at Lock in my previous message but stated flanker by accident.

JMC has really improved his game in my humble opinion, his try against France A was one of the most spectacular Canadian tries in some time, he can also fill in at fullback in an emergency and I think we will see him for the final 25-30 minutes of this weekends game. That being said I'm really liking the backs lineup that Canada has in this game numbers 10-15 in this Paris to me is the only question mark. Ciaran Hearn has really impressed me in Churchill Cup and the CRC, he could be on his way to solidifying a world cup spot.

I would assume Pritchard will handle the goal kicking duties, but Monro may take over if he struggles and Hearn is available for the long distance bombs should the oppourtunity present itself. I'm going to throw out there a prediction of Canada 38-10 Spain.

 

[alexrugby]

Yep, should be an excellent match - are you going to it (or the USA game) Alex? ... i'll have to look out for a link to the game

Sure I will be on stadium for both matches against U.S and against Canada

 

[rusty_lock]

True that. I don't know why we don't take a page out of Japan's book and try to poach some foreign players. You look at their roster and 1/3rd of the names are of either anglo or pacific island origin. If I was Crowley I would be scanning the AP and Magners League looking for a tighthead who has Canadian bloodlines. Every other nation takes advantage of this on an annual basis, so why not Canada? Against top nations (even tier 2) we concede too many penalty try's. The scrum is without a doubt Canada's biggest problem going forward, and the Pletch's certainly don't help.

And on an unrelated note, I am predicting a 52-7 win for Canada vs Spain.

CDN_Rugby,

Great idea but the problem with scanning the world for a couple props that can play at that level is that that would require Rugby Canada to take it's head out of it butt and thats not likely to happen anytime soon. LOL At this point selection and identification is seriously flawed and the the energy and resources to unearth such a player are simply beyond them.

Hope you are right about the score.

 

[rusty_lock]

Thank you for the update on the Matt Evans injury rustylock this explains his absence. I also thought the Pletch's were out of favour but perhaps KC is giving them one last chance or Canada was just desperate for any warm body at prop. I meant to say that help had been brought in at Lock in my previous message but stated flanker by accident.

JMC has really improved his game in my humble opinion, his try against France A was one of the most spectacular Canadian tries in some time, he can also fill in at fullback in an emergency and I think we will see him for the final 25-30 minutes of this weekends game. That being said I'm really liking the backs lineup that Canada has in this game numbers 10-15 in this Paris to me is the only question mark. Ciaran Hearn has really impressed me in Churchill Cup and the CRC, he could be on his way to solidifying a world cup spot.

I would assume Pritchard will handle the goal kicking duties, but Monro may take over if he struggles and Hearn is available for the long distance bombs should the oppourtunity present itself. I'm going to throw out there a prediction of Canada 38-10 Spain.

I don't really think JMC is an option at Fullback he has great pace but his decision making and defensive skills have always been a little suspect to me. If a replacement is needed against Spain at fullback look for Hearn to slide into the 15 spot with JMC heading to the wing. Against Georgia, barring injury, we'll probably see Matt Evans at fullback with Hearn and Pritchard on the wings and JMC coming off the bench for impact.

If Canada could just do something about the tight head prop spot I'd say they could be a top 10 team if the first choice 1-15 were healthy. T-bone at the loosehead is pretty stable and the locks aren't to bad. Riordan is a little suspect at scrum time but his work around the park the rest of the time makes up for it a really solid tighthead would shore that up.

 

[munster2010]

i'm expecting big things

 

[Toko_11]

I have a good news for Canadians and an unfortunate news for us.... our best player (gorgodze) was disqualified for a month.

he wont be available against Canada or the US.... but its not all bad news for us after reading some of your comments. i realised that your props aren't the strongest in the world... well ours are so your team should be careful if you don't want to be overrun by our forwards

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Likewise, Canada will be without Jamie Cudmore, our best forward.

He was banned for several weeks for stamping, typical Cudmore

 

[LittleGuy]

Canada with a big win over Spain 60-22(31-12 at half) Canada came out on fire and led 28-3 quickly but Spain recovered towards the end of the half and the beginning of the second before Canada pulled away. Ander Monro was not in the starting line up due to an injury so Ciarn Hearn took over fly half, with Mensah Coker coming in at wing, Nick Blevins was added to the bench.
Tries by Riordan, Paris(2), O'Toole(2), Van De Merwe, Stephen and Carpenter. Pritchard was 7 for 8 from conversions and also was 2 for 2 from penalties he had an amazing game not just with the boot. Marshall did receive a yellow card towards the end of the half for collapsing a maul and Canada were down to 14 men for ten minutes. Spain had four penalties by Fernandez and uncoverted tries by Pradalie with a score by Belzunce at the death to send the 8,000 fans home with some consolation neither Spanish try was converted.

Canada

Tries
Paris (2)
Riordan
O'Toole(2)
Van de Merwe
Stephen
Carpenter

Conversions
Pritchard 7 for 8

Penalties
Pritchard 2 for 2

Spain
Tries
Pradalie
Belzunce

Penalties
Fernandez 4

I think it was a good performance from Canada offensively especially Pritchard and the young Paris is prooving his worth. I'm a little concerned about the points Canada is giving up at the end of halves this tour, so far they have given up two uncoverted tries and a penalty in the last plays. This can't happen against Georgia or even Portugal. The yellow card was regrettable it did seem to sap some momentum from Canada. I'll give credit to Spain for working hard and they played pretty well from about the 30 minute mark until the 60th minute.

 

[profitius]

8,000 at the match sounds like a good turnout for a Spanish crowd!

 

[rusty_lock]

Canada with a big win over Spain 60-22(31-12 at half) Canada came out on fire and led 28-3 quickly but Spain recovered towards the end of the half and the beginning of the second before Canada pulled away. Ander Monro was not in the starting line up due to an injury so Ciarn Hearn took over fly half, with Mensah Coker coming in at wing, Nick Blevins was added to the bench.
Tries by Riordan, Paris(2), O'Toole(2), Van De Merwe, Stephen and Carpenter. Pritchard was 7 for 8 from conversions and also was 2 for 2 from penalties he had an amazing game not just with the boot. Marshall did receive a yellow card towards the end of the half for collapsing a maul and Canada were down to 14 men for ten minutes. Spain had four penalties by Fernandez and uncoverted tries by Pradalie with a score by Belzunce at the death to send the 8,000 fans home with some consolation neither Spanish try was converted.

Canada

Tries
Paris (2)
Riordan
O'Toole(2)
Van de Merwe
Stephen
Carpenter

Conversions
Pritchard 7 for 8

Penalties
Pritchard 2 for 2

Spain
Tries
Pradalie
Belzunce

Penalties
Fernandez 4

I think it was a good performance from Canada offensively especially Pritchard and the young Paris is prooving his worth. I'm a little concerned about the points Canada is giving up at the end of halves this tour, so far they have given up two uncoverted tries and a penalty in the last plays. This can't happen against Georgia or even Portugal. The yellow card was regrettable it did seem to sap some momentum from Canada. I'll give credit to Spain for working hard and they played pretty well from about the 30 minute mark until the 60th minute.

Thanks for report. Did you see the game Little Guy. I understand it was webcast live by the FER. I was away for the weekend and missed it. Do you know if there is an archived version availble anywhere