[EOYT] Canada vs. New Zealand Maori. 03/11/13

[LittleGuy]

Canada vs. New Zealand Maori. 03/11/13, 1:00 p.m. EST(10:00 A.M. PST, 7:00 A.M. NZDT* Monday) BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)

Broadcast: Canada: TV: TSN(live). New Zealand: SKY(live) Maori Television(delayed)

Canada and the Moari meet up for an exhibition match that is outside of the IRB test window in Toronto at BMO Field. It will be a rematch of last years contest in Oxford, England where the Moari came out 32-19 winners in a hard fought contest. Over 10,000 seats have already been sold and tickets are still moving at a good pace. Canada will not have the vast majority of it's overseas professionals available unfortunately so expect to see a side of ARC domestic standouts along with 7's players and perhaps a token pro(most likely Buydens).

Lineups will be posted when available.

Maori All Blacks:
1. Kane Hames
2. Hikawera Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. Joe Wheeler
6. Liam Squire
7. Luke Braid
8. Elliot Dixon
9. Piri Weepu
10. Tim Bateman
11. Zac Guildford
12. Jackson Willison
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Andre Taylor
15. Robbie Robinson

Reserves:

16. Chris Eves
17. Nick Barrett
18. Ash Dixon
19. Blade Thomson
20. Shane Christie
21. Jamison Gibson
22. Ihaia West
23. Matt Proctor


Canada

1- Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Manawatu Turbos) Saskatoon, SK
2- Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3- Doug Wooldridge, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
4- Jon Phelan, (Lille Métropole Rugby/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
5- Tyler Ardron, (Ospreys/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
6- Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
7- John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8- Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates) Brantford, ON
9- Phil Mack, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
10- Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
11- Conor Trainor, (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
12- Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
13- Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
14- Jeff Hassler, (Ospreys/Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB
15- Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC

Bench

16- Jake Ilnicki, (Williams Lake Rustlers/Auckland Colts) Williams Lake, BC
17- Ryan March, (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
18- Aaron Flagg, (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
19- Kyle Gilmour, (St. Albert Rugby Club/Prairie Wolf Pack) Edmonton, AB
20- Adam Kleeberger, (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) White Rock, BC
21- Jamie Mackenzie, (UVIC Vikes/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
22- Pat Parfrey, (Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock) St. John's, NL
23- Connor Braid, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC

 

[psychic duck]

Remind me who was responsible for choosing the poor venue chioce of Oxford for last year's game? Good news about the ticket sales, good to hear Canada can make a bit of money for themselves for the match this time.

 

[LittleGuy]

Remind me who was responsible for choosing the poor venue chioce of Oxford for last year's game? Good news about the ticket sales, good to hear Canada can make a bit of money for themselves for the match this time.

That entire tour last year will probably go into the "meh" category for Canadian fans, the Oxford match was much better attended than the Colwyn Bay games at least and even though it was a loss it was probably Canada's best game in November last year as we were dreadful against Samoa and Russia looked like they wer lost waiting for a bus in North Wales rather than playing rugby.

Thankfully the IRB took their heads out of the liquor cabinet for a few minutes and have provided four matches(one at home) that should be fairly well attended and help promote the game in all four markets that Canada is playing in this time around. I think the Canada vs. Maori game will continue to sell at a steady pace, depending on weather I would say 16,000 is an outside possibility but I would think 14-15 is a more likely target with 13,000 being at the low end if the weather looks a little sour.

 

[LittleGuy]

Extended Moari side has been announced...and it looks a lot stronger on first glance than the side that Canada faced November of last year(when we had a stronger lineup as well). Six former All Blacks including Piri Weepu and Zac Guilford, Eleven players return from the Maori side last year. I hope to god Rugby Canada is calling in all sorts of favour's with clubs where we have overseas players, anyone who can make it back would be a boost as we are likely to get creamed otherwise.

Extended Maori side

Hookers
Hika Elliott - Ngati Awa -Counties Manukau
Corey Flynn - Ngai Tahu -Canterbury

Props
Ben Afeaki - Ngati Awa - North Harbour
Nick Barrett - Ngati Kahungunu - Southland
Chris Eves - Tainui - Manawatu
Kane Hames - Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou - Bay of Plenty
Joe Royal - Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua I Orakei - Bay of Plenty

Locks
Jarrad Hoeata - Ngati Kahungunu / Ngai Tuhoe - Taranaki
Luke Katene - Ngati Toa - Canterbury
Joe Wheeler - Ngai Tahu - Tasman

Loose forwards
Luke Braid - Ngati Tumutumu - Auckland
Shane Christie - Ngati Kuri - Tasman
Elliot Dixon - Ngapuhi - Southland
Liam Squire - Ngai Tahu - Tasman
Blade Thomson - Ngapuhi - Taranaki

Halfbacks
Jamison Gibson-Park - Ngati Porou / Ngai Tai - Taranaki
Piri Weepu - Te Whakatohea / Ngai Tahu - Auckland

First five-eighth
Ihaia West - Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou - Hawke's Bay

Midfield backs
Tim Bateman - Ngai Tahu - Wellington
Charlie Ngatai - Ngati Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui - Wellington
Jackson Willison - Ngati Mahuta - Waikato

Outside backs
Kurt Baker - Ngapuhi - Taranaki
Zac Guildford - Ngati Kahunganu/Ngai Tahu - Hawke's Bay
Robbie Robinson - Ngati Tuwharetoa - Southland
Andre Taylor - Ngati Tuwharetoa/Ngati Kahungunu - Taranaki
Matt Proctor - Ngai te Rangi/Ngapuhi - Welliington

 

[ABs2011]

Extended Moari side has been announced...and it looks a lot stronger on first glance than the side that Canada faced November of last year(when we had a stronger lineup as well). Six former All Blacks including Piri Weepu and Zac Guilford, Eleven players return from the Moari side last year. I hope to god Rugby Canada is calling in all sorts of favour's with clubs where we have overseas players, anyone who can make it back would be a boost as we are likely to get creamed otherwise.

Extended Moari side

Hookers
Hika Elliott - Ngati Awa -Counties Manukau
Corey Flynn - Ngai Tahu -Canterbury

Props
Ben Afeaki - Ngati Awa - North Harbour
Nick Barrett - Ngati Kahungunu - Southland
Chris Eves - Tainui - Manawatu
Kane Hames - Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou - Bay of Plenty
Joe Royal - Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua I Orakei - Bay of Plenty

Locks
Jarrad Hoeata - Ngati Kahungunu / Ngai Tuhoe - Taranaki
Luke Katene - Ngati Toa - Canterbury
Joe Wheeler - Ngai Tahu - Tasman

Loose forwards
Luke Braid - Ngati Tumutumu - Auckland
Shane Christie - Ngati Kuri - Tasman
Elliot Dixon - Ngapuhi - Southland
Liam Squire - Ngai Tahu - Tasman
Blade Thomson - Ngapuhi - Taranaki

Halfbacks
Jamison Gibson-Park - Ngati Porou / Ngai Tai - Taranaki
Piri Weepu - Te Whakatohea / Ngai Tahu - Auckland

First five-eighth
Ihaia West - Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou - Hawke's Bay

Midfield backs
Tim Bateman - Ngai Tahu - Wellington
Charlie Ngatai - Ngati Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui - Wellington
Jackson Willison - Ngati Mahuta - Waikato

Outside backs
Kurt Baker - Ngapuhi - Taranaki
Zac Guildford - Ngati Kahunganu/Ngai Tahu - Hawke's Bay
Robbie Robinson - Ngati Tuwharetoa - Southland
Andre Taylor - Ngati Tuwharetoa/Ngati Kahungunu - Taranaki
Matt Proctor - Ngai te Rangi/Ngapuhi - Welliington

Looks like a good squad. Loving the inclusion of Piri - he will be a massive mentor for these guys! Good to see some of the real talents named as well: Ihaia West, Christie, Afeaki, Ngatai, Proctor, Squire

 

[ABs2011]

By the way, who knows about Afeaki. I associate that name as Tonga but am I wrong?

 

[canadafan]

Over 70% of tickets have been sold for this match.

 

[Peat]

Jamison Gibson-Park is a fantastic name and I hope he makes it on those grounds alone.

 

[LittleGuy]

Over 70% of tickets have been sold for this match.

Yeah I hope that means 70% of BMO's total seats and not 70% of whatever parts of the stadium rugby Canada are renting(e.g. closed sections as all the games but the Ireland game had...) it's just odd they announced a percentage rather than a number. 70% of the total is roughly around 15,000, weather is starting to cool off here rapidly after a nice October but game is still two weeks away hard to tell how it will be on game day.

 

[Aspry]

A decent time zone for me + Piri Weepu on the squad. I am definetly going to watch this, I hope I get a good stream.

 

[LittleGuy]

A decent time zone for me + Piri Weepu on the squad. I am definetly going to watch this, I hope I get a good stream.

I just hope we get a decent Canadian side out, even a pile of the lower division pro's would be a boost and raise the quality of the match up.

 

[Big Ewis]

GO CANADA !
I'm definitely checking this one out...

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Yeah I hope that means 70% of BMO's total seats and not 70% of whatever parts of the stadium rugby Canada are renting(e.g. closed sections as all the games but the Ireland game had...) it's just odd they announced a percentage rather than a number. 70% of the total is roughly around 15,000, weather is starting to cool off here rapidly after a nice October but game is still two weeks away hard to tell how it will be on game day.

I bought tickets for my friends and I, and the only places we could get that had any seats available were down on the south end of the stadium. I am anticipating a large crowd for the game, maybe we will even break 20,000.

 

[psychic duck]

This non-window match could turn out to be a messy one for Canada. It will surely be a mere second string?

Anyway, one thing to note is I've read Chauncey O'Toole may be rumoured to be attempting a comeback. Would be a great asset if he can get back to his best.

 

[LittleGuy]

This non-window match could turn out to be a messy one for Canada. It will surely be a mere second string?

Anyway, one thing to note is I've read Chauncey O'Toole may be rumoured to be attempting a comeback. Would be a great asset if he can get back to his best.

Yeah he tweeted he wants to come back, I think it will be very difficult for him now that the loose forward depth has grown in his absense.

Phil Mack is back in Canada now(he apparently played in the CDI BC league last weekend) since the Ospreys SH situation cleared up so soon, so he will be a go. Carpenter also tweeted that "he was looking forward to the challenge" so maybe Crowley and co. have managed to wrangle up some of the lower tier professionals. Guys like Carpenter, Pritchard, Hotson would be a big help to the side and would hopefully make this game more of a contest and not just a Moari parade to the try line.

 

[psychic duck]

Yeah he tweeted he wants to come back, I think it will be very difficult for him now that the loose forward depth has grown in his absense.

Phil Mack is back in Canada now(he apparently played in the CDI BC league last weekend) since the Ospreys SH situation cleared up so soon, so he will be a go. Carpenter also tweeted that "he was looking forward to the challenge" so maybe Crowley and co. have managed to wrangle up some of the lower tier professionals. Guys like Carpenter, Pritchard, Hotson would be a big help to the side and would hopefully make this game more of a contest and not just a Moari parade to the try line.

O'Toole at his best would comfortably get in the team at 7. Just a shame his best didn't last as long as hoped, we all know he has the talent and ability as he performed against some top sides. Hopefully he has the desire to get back. Nobody knows exactly went on with him in 2012. But Crowley has surely got to be open to a return of a player of his talent, still only aged 27, Canada can't just discard him with a bad run like the Ospreys did.

What players do you think will or won't make it LG?

This was the team that did reasonably okay last year. Can Canada get anything near equivalent strength for this game? I can't see them having Ardron, Sinclair, Mackenzie or Hassler that's for sure.

Canada: 1 - Hubert Buydens, 2 - Ryan Hamilton, 3 - Jason Marshall, 4 - Jebb Sinclair, 5 - Tyler Hotson, 6 - Tyler Ardron, 7 - Chauncey O'Toole, 8 - Aaron Carpenter (c), 9 - Phil Mack, 10 - Connor Braid, 11 - Taylor Paris, 12 - Phil Mackenzie, 13 - Ciaran Hearn, 14 - Jeff Hassler, 15 - James Pritchard


Reserves: 16 - Andrew Tiedemann, 17 - Ray Barkwill, 18 - Doug Wooldridge, 19 - Brett Beukeboom, 20 - John Moonlight, 21 - Eric Wilson, 22 - Nathan Hirayama, 23 - Sean Duke

 

[canadafan]

We should be able to come close to something like that side PD.

 

[LittleGuy]

We should be able to come close to something like that side PD.

If we can get the 2nd tier pro's out we will get reasonably close to that side but it will be vastly different in names to last years side.

Sinclair, Ardron, Mackenzie and Hassler will almost certainly not be released. O'Toole is unavailable. Hamilton, Tieddemann, Hirayama and Duke are all carrying various injuries, I know Hirayama is definately out, Tieddemann was touch and go I believe and Hamilton I think is almost certainly out of action, Duke I really don't know but he's probably the easiest to cover for. Cudmore is hurt and wouldn't have been released anyways, Kleeberger, Dolezel and Blevins might be out of action as well.

There are question marks surrounding other guys, Beukeboome's suspension and all of the 2nd tier pro's, if Pritchard, Hotson, Phelan, Marshall, Wooldridge are available that will be a massive boost.

This would be my absolute best possible side we can field vs. the Maori. Assuming we get almost all our 2nd tier pro's out and many of the questionable injured guys which is unlikely to happen.

1. Buydens
2. Barkwill
3. Marshall
4. Phelan
5. Hotson
6. Dala
7. Moonlight
8. Carpenter
9. Mack
10. Braid/Jones
11. Paris
12. Scholz/Blevins
13. Trainor
14. Hearn
15. Pritchard

16. Govorchin(unless Hamilton is healthy which I doubt)
17. Tieddemann
18. Wooldridge
19. Beukeboom
20. Flagg
21. Mackenzie/White
22. Jones/Braid
23. Wilson-Ross/Dolesau/Fitzpatrick/Duke/et. al. (situational pick whoever is healthy/available and Crowley thinks best)

 

[james5000]

By the way, who knows about Afeaki. I associate that name as Tonga but am I wrong?

Afeaki is a Tongan name, but he's also part Maori.

 

[norcalbuff]

Not to be pedantic LG, but it's Maori, not Moari.