EOYT: Canada v Samoa, 09/11/2012

[LittleGuy]

Canada vs. Samoa. November 7th 2012 Colwyn Bay, Wales.

Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, Wales (09-11-2012, 20:00 GMT)

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This match along with all of the matches at Colwyn Bay will be streamed live on IRB.com for everybody around the world. (http://www.irb.com/live/video.html)

As well the game is available on TSN for Canadian viewers, live coverage and then a taped delayed prime time option for those who have missed the original broadcast.



Canada Squad.

Starters:
1. Hubert Buydens (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2. Ray Barkwill (Niagara, Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3. Doug Wooldridge (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
4. Jon Phelan (Ste-Anne-de-Bellvue/The Rock) Montreal, QC
5. Tyler Hotson (London Scottish RFC) Vancouver, BC
6. Tyler Ardron (Brantford Harlequins/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
7. Chauncey O'Toole (Belleisle RFC/The Rock)Belleisle, NB
8. Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion RFC) Brantford, ON(C)
9. Sean White (James Bay AA/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
10. Connor Braid (James Bay AA/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
11. Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates) Duncan, BC
12. Phil Mackenzie (London Welsh) Oakville, ON
13. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/The Rock) Conception Bay, NL
14. Taylor Paris (Glasgow Warriors) Barrie, ON
15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia (VC)

Bench
16. Ryan Hamilton (Capilano/Pacific Tyee) West Vancouver, BC
17. Jason Marshall (Aurillac) North Vancouver, BC
18. Andrew Tiedemann (FC Auch Gers) St. Albert, AB
19. Brett Beukeboom (Plymouth Albion RFC) Lindsay, ON
20. John Moonlight (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
21. Eric Wilson (Meraloma RC) Vancouver, BC
22. Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
23. Jeff Hassler (Okotoks RFC/Prairie WolfPack) Okotoks, AB

Jebb Sinclair did not receive his Visa in time to return to the UK from South Africa so he is unavailable. No real surprises in the rest of the lineup aside form Marshall starting on the bench perhaps, it looks like Crowley has decided to go with a specialist FH in Braid rather than put Evans in there. I like Barkwill starting he has had much more game time than Hamilton recently.

Samoa Squad.

Starters
1 - Sakaria Taulafo (London Wasps) (C)
2 - Ole Avei ( Bordeaux)
3 - Census Johnston (Toulouse)
4 - Fa'atiga Lemalu (Mont De Marsan)
5 - Filo Paulo* (North Harbour)
6 - Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish)
7 - Fomai Tivaini* (Hawke's Bay)
8 - Taiasina Tuifua (Newcastle)
9 - Jeremy Su'a (Tasman)
10 - Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath) (VC)
11 - Robert Lilomaiava*(Laulli)
12 - Setaimata Sa*(London Irish)
13 - George Pisi (Northampton Saints)
14 - Paul Perez (Eastern Province)
15 - James Sooialo (Aix en-Province)

Bench
16 - Ropeti Lafo* (Vaiusu)
17 - James Johnston (Harlequins)
18 - Joe Tekori (Castres)
19 - Alafoti Faosiliva (Bristol)
20 - Kahn Fotuali'i (Ospreys)
21 - Johnny Leota (Sale Sharks)
22 - Fa'atoina Autagavaia (Northland)

Samoa are very much using this match as a warmup to the next two tests and as a chance to get players into the international scene, while still a very decent side, this is probably close to the lineup in which Canada has the most chance to win against. Five players are uncapped, and there are even a couple of domestic players in the Samoan side.

 

[Super Sub]

I forgot to add that Sakaria Taulafo was named Captain, and Tusi Pisi named as the Vice Captain.

The team is not quite full strength, it seems some have ****ling injuries or are being rested. A few guys came into camp late, so that might have affected some the selections for this game.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie added

 

[aucklander]

No disrespect to the Canada team, but the management team are trialling out their new players in the squad. The majority of the good players will be available for the welsh and french games. However it's crucial for the team to beat Canada hence why they still have a handful of first choice players on the bench. It will be an interesting game to watch, Canada to put up a very good fight. Close game.

 

[psychic duck]

No disrespect to the Canada team, but the management team are trialling out their new players in the squad. The majority of the good players will be available for the welsh and french games. However it's crucial for the team to beat Canada hence why they still have a handful of first choice players on the bench. It will be an interesting game to watch, Canada to put up a very good fight. Close game.

... Tonga said the same thing at the RWC.

It arguably cost them a quarter final place.

 

[aucklander]

Interesting lineup for Samoa, Can't wait to see how Tusi Pisi feeds Setaimata Sa as he's a really strong ball carrier. Looking forward to this game. Close game to call.

 

[aucklander]

Yes they did. Samoa's first choice players are still carrying minor injuries and arrived late for their training camp. This is still a decent starting lineup for samoa and also on the bench. Samoa to sneak by with the win. Not to familiar with the canadian team, however they always put up a good challenge.

 

[rusty_lock]

Who determines the odds for V-bookie!!

 

[Draggs]

Who determines the odds for V-bookie!!

I usually use oddschecker, and then pick an average.
Not sure about Eze, probably something similar.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I calculate the odds myself based upon previous results, current form and number of key players not in the squad (due to injury, retirement or other reasons). However, I messed up when filling in the form for the vBookie in this case. I fixed it now.

PS: The bets already confirmed will still hold the original odds.

 

[Draggs]

Dammit Eze, couldn't you have given me another minute to dump my money on Samoa?

 

[dullonien]

PS: The bets already confirmed will still hold the original odds.

Sweet. I put 1000 on there.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Dammit Eze, couldn't you have given me another minute to dump my money on Samoa?

Stop complaining. You've been stuck on 2000 bucks for weeks. You never put money on any matches for which I create the vBookie anyway

 

[Draggs]

Stop complaining. You've been stuck on 2000 bucks for weeks. You never put money on any matches for which I create the vBookie anyway

Didn't fancy the odds. Those 4/1 odds would have been enough. I regret not piling everything on the Lions for 20/1 CC odds last year.
I made a decent amount off Samoa/Fiji last year, was hoping the lads would come through for me again.

 

[Canucks]

Oh this might be painful.

I actually like the backline set up for this game. Key to the game for Canada will be the composure of white and braid. I expect Canada to match the physicality of Samoa however I feel Samoa will own the sets. Where Canada's attack faltered in the summer was not using our backs. White and braid need to really focus on ignoring the fact that they will get obliterated and take our backline st Samoa.

I think Crowley has Mackenzie at 12 and Evans at 11 so that braid has 2 running threats at his disposal. I expect a lot misdirection against the grain attacks by Evans. Say what you want about Hearn but he's very big, relatively mobile and is a solid tackler. Where he's run into trouble is misreading coverage on the wing. I don't expect that to be glaring this game and I feel they will use him as a crashing 13. I'm curious to see how Paris has developed.

Such a shame that dth, cudmore, kleeberger and Sinclair are not playing.

For Samoa, I wish Samoa fans rated George pisi higher. He's a very versatile back and has Been excellent for Northampton.

 

[LittleGuy]

Some good points Canucks. I think there are two ways this could go ugly for Canada, Samoa puts in a couple early tries that deflate the Canadian side for the rest of the game and/or the superior Samoan bench runs riot in the final ten minutes.

I don't think it will get that ugly though, the planetrugby prediction of a 12 point Samoan win I think is somewhere in the range of what I have been thinking, though I also think a Canadian victory is possible as Samoa seem to have taken Canada lightly eg. Tonga at RWC and France "A" at 2010 Churchill Cup. The boys will have to be on their best however.

My Keys to a Canadian win.

Scrum: We are likely to have a torrid time here so HANDLING, HANDLING, HANDLING!!!! No unforced knock on's this is just so essential, I just hope the scrum is tolerable enough that we win most of our own put in's even if it dosen't become an attacking platform I hope we can retain the ball.

Lineout: If Barkwill plays anything like he did in the ARC and CRC, this is nowhere near as big a worry for me, his throwing was superb in these competitions. Our Loosies are fairly solid and mauls may make some ground, likewise some quick ball out of here could unleash the backs. For defending line out throws if we are struggling it might not be the end of the world to stop contesting, Canada has done this before and it's allowed the open field defence to become cohesive.

Open Play: Match the physicality(agree with you Canucks this shouldn't be an issue). Keep away from unforced errors so don't throw panic passes, we will be more competitive at the ruck than at the scrum, so not the end of the world to just go into the tackle rather than throw suicide passes or make silly plays. For some individual players...Hearn must put forth a good work rate he sometimes gets lost out there. O'Toole has to play like he did at Churchill Cups years past, and if he comes off the bench Marshall needs to keep the discipline in order. Discipline could actually be an advantage for Canada as there is often that Samoan player who goes in just a little too high, too hard or too late and draws a yellow. Canada has to stay out of the bin.

Unleash the backs, Canada's strongest part of the lineup is from #11-15, we have become such a strong counterattacking team as well thanks to these players. "Good" Sean White needs to show up and Braid has to be more like he was in the ARC and not like he played in 2010, he has grown as a player but Ander will be missed.

Goal Kicking. Pritchard needs to bring his kicking boots, a 4/4 or 5/6 kind of day is needed at the office, points just can't be left on the board. Baird(and Evans) also shouldn't be afraid to try the drop goal option in slow ball conditions.

Miscellaneous thoughts: Absoluetly annoying news on Sinclair a Visa issue should have been sorted out ages ago, someone dropped the ball here and if it's someone at London Irish someone should take a look and make sure there is no shenanigans going on(see Ngenwya and Biaaritz in the USA vs. Russia thread). The Sinclair absence has magnified the Cudmore asbsence, Cudmore should have been called up for this game, he isn't so needed for the next two games but this is Canada's chance at a scalp.

 

[aucklander]

Jeremy Sua for Samoa has been picked up by the Crusaders. He was in outstanding form this. Glad he wasn't picked up by Australia or New Zealand. Not to sure about the number 4,7,11 have not seen any of them in action. Its always disappointing when the Top 14 teams don't release players for International matches, Tier 2 countries would be hard to beat.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Little surprised to see Sa starting, considering it'll be his first go at pro-Union!
I'm sure he'll go well, though.

Gutted I'm working when this is on, I'm a big fan of both Samoa and Canada.

 

[Super Sub]

I think you'd find #4 is our best lock.

I expect to see about 7 changes to the starting line-up for Wales. I would've liked us to go with a full strength squad here, but hopefully we pull this one out. We did something similar last year before the Australian game, hoping it works again.

I think the game will be pretty tight. The bench might make the difference for us.

 

[LittleGuy]

Just wrapped up work for the day and I'm looking forward to the game but......I still miss Ed