[EOYT] Georgia vs. Canada. 09/11/13

[LittleGuy]

Scholz will be with the 7's side that weekend Rusty, he has been named to play in the NACRA tournament(this could change depending on any knocks/injuries this week though). Which means that seeing Mackenzie at #12 might actually happen, or Crowley could stick Blevins there if he is good to go. I agree with putting Mackenzie there, it's all about getting the best possible players on the pitch. He's been brave in defence always and puts in a great workrate. I wouldn't mind seeing Hearn on the bench for this one as he is sort of a jack of all trades master of none in the backs but as you said he's more a 7's guy, at best he's an adequate bench/starter if the XV's need to go down the depth chart a little.

Hamilton is out with an injury, and is gone for all of November from the sounds of it. My guess is Carpenter might start to make that transition(or at least attempt) over to Hooker for the tour unless Crowley plans on calling up Govorchin or Piffero. I would prefer Barkwill start in this one, Georgia's front row and scrum are too good to put in experimental combos, the Maori and Portugal games will be better suited for that.

 

[canadafan]

What about Paris? Has our November tour squad been announced yet?

 

[rusty_lock]

Scholz will be with the 7's side that weekend Rusty, he has been named to play in the NACRA tournament(this could change depending on any knocks/injuries this week though). Which means that seeing Mackenzie at #12 might actually happen, or Crowley could stick Blevins there if he is good to go. I agree with putting Mackenzie there, it's all about getting the best possible players on the pitch. He's been brave in defence always and puts in a great workrate. I wouldn't mind seeing Hearn on the bench for this one as he is sort of a jack of all trades master of none in the backs but as you said he's more a 7's guy, at best he's an adequate bench/starter if the XV's need to go down the depth chart a little.

Hamilton is out with an injury, and is gone for all of November from the sounds of it. My guess is Carpenter might start to make that transition(or at least attempt) over to Hooker for the tour unless Crowley plans on calling up Govorchin or Piffero. I would prefer Barkwill start in this one, Georgia's front row and scrum are too good to put in experimental combos, the Maori and Portugal games will be better suited for that.

Ah, I missed Scholz on the Nacra list. I just didn't expect to see him there as it is more a developmental side they are sending. It would be a big ask for Blevins to go strait into the starting lineup having just recovered from concussion and a broken nose. That leaves the door open for Mackenzie but I suspect we see Hearn there. Hearn seems to always be the guy who fills the gap. I think he has worn every Canada Jersey from 10-15 at least once in his career and the temptation to make the 'safe' selection will be to overwhelming for the selectors

 

[canadafan]

I would go with:

9. Mack
10. Underwood
11. Paris
12. Mackenzie
13. DTH
14. Hassler
15. Pritchard

Bench:

Mackenzie
Trainor
Evans

 

[rusty_lock]

What about Paris? Has our November tour squad been announced yet?

No the tour squad hasn't been anounced yet. We are just speculating at this point. I suspect that he will be brought on tour but probably not used until the second and third games. He had a really rough few outings for the NSMT the last few times selected and I think that he will need to prove himself before being called up for the important tests.

I like Paris and think he can bring some really dynamic X factor to the team but he is just a little unpredictable to be a coaches favorite selection. Pile on top of that some suspect defense and being a little dodgy under the high ball and that keeps him in the stands wearing a suit and tie.

 

[canadafan]

I would go with:

9. Mack
10. Underwood
11. Paris
12. Mackenzie
13. DTH
14. Hassler
15. Pritchard

Bench:

Mackenzie
Trainor
Evans

 

[canadafan]

Apparently he is playing very well with Agen in a tough comp, all should be forgiven.

 

[LittleGuy]

Ah, I missed Scholz on the Nacra list. I just didn't expect to see him there as it is more a developmental side they are sending. It would be a big ask for Blevins to go strait into the starting lineup having just recovered from concussion and a broken nose. That leaves the door open for Mackenzie but I suspect we see Hearn there. Hearn seems to always be the guy who fills the gap. I think he has worn every Canada Jersey from 10-15 at least once in his career and the temptation to make the 'safe' selection will be to overwhelming for the selectors

Geraint and Kieran seem to really like Hearn, though the former will be busy with the NACRA and later IRB 7's circuit to be helping out with the XV's side as sometimes happens. He is indeed that sort of "safe" choice as while he rarely adds any gamebreaking work(though he has had a particularly good year in 2013) he rarely has a complete and total shocker where I leave the TV or stadium super ****** off with him. I hate leaving Mackenzie on the bench but that may indeed be what happens.

Another thought I had is that Pritch should really only be at FB except in an emergency or against slower/weaker oppostiion, he's lost that extra step and can get burned on the outside as happened a few times in the Ireland game. His kicking shoes will be missed this weekend, maybe this tour he could still be out on the wing as after the Maori game, two of our opponents are known for their forward play and Portugal while passionate and a plucky side at home shouldn't force us into boxed lineup decisions.

 

[canadafan]

Geraint and Kieran seem to really like Hearn

Well, those restarts of his are a thing of beauty.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

I hate leaving Mackenzie on the bench but that may indeed be what happens.

Agree with you on this. Assuming everyone with the exception of Cudmore is available for the tour, I'd like to go with the following

1) Buydens
2) Carpenter
3) Marshall
4) Hotson
5) Phelan
6) Moonlight
7) Ardron
8) Sinclair

9) Mack
10) Jones
11) Evans
12) Mackenzie
13) DTH
14) Hassler
15) Pritchard

16) Barkwill
17) Wooldridge
18) Ilnicki
19) Beukeboom
20) Dala or Kleeberger
21) White or J. Mackenzie
22) Trainor
23) Paris

This lineup, I think, offers us the best chance of winning. I don't know why anyone is even contemplating putting Carpenter at #8 given that Kleeberger, Dala, Moonlight, Sinclair, and Ardron will all be in the mix. If I'm Crowley, his days in the back row are done for good (Barkwill is a lot better coming off the bench anyway).

I also feel a lot more confident with that forward pack going into Georgia than I did in 2010. I think the improvement of Buydens and Marshall will show and I don't think we'll be going backwards at the speed of light at scrum time. As long as our forwards don't get KO'd, our backs should dominate the Georgians.

Who would have thought that we'd ever have enough depth in the backs that quality players like Paris and Trainor are on the bench? Hopefully O'Leary gets capped too.

EDIT: I'd like to include Pierce, but I believe he is injured.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

looking forward to the match it looks very close

 

[psychic duck]

Agree with you on this. Assuming everyone with the exception of Cudmore is available for the tour, I'd like to go with the following

1) Buydens
2) Carpenter
3) Marshall
4) Hotson
5) Phelan
6) Moonlight
7) Ardron
8) Sinclair

9) Mack
10) Jones
11) Evans
12) Mackenzie
13) DTH
14) Hassler
15) Pritchard

16) Barkwill
17) Wooldridge
18) Ilnicki
19) Beukeboom
20) Dala or Kleeberger
21) White or J. Mackenzie
22) Trainor
23) Paris

This lineup, I think, offers us the best chance of winning. I don't know why anyone is even contemplating putting Carpenter at #8 given that Kleeberger, Dala, Moonlight, Sinclair, and Ardron will all be in the mix. If I'm Crowley, his days in the back row are done for good (Barkwill is a lot better coming off the bench anyway).

I also feel a lot more confident with that forward pack going into Georgia than I did in 2010. I think the improvement of Buydens and Marshall will show and I don't think we'll be going backwards at the speed of light at scrum time. As long as our forwards don't get KO'd, our backs should dominate the Georgians.

Who would have thought that we'd ever have enough depth in the backs that quality players like Paris and Trainor are on the bench? Hopefully O'Leary gets capped too.

EDIT: I'd like to include Pierce, but I believe he is injured.

Not that simple I'm afraid, you can't really "dominate" with backs. As for scrum, I'm reserving making predictions on both sides because of the new rules.

And by the way, Taylor Paris is pants, wouldn't even get in the Georgian side. No idea why you would have unbalance your bench having him there.

 

[rusty_lock]

What does pants mean

 

[Tony Manx]

What does pants mean

...............as in c....r...a....p that ends in them!!!

 

[norcalbuff]

And by the way, Taylor Paris is pants, wouldn't even get in the Georgian side. No idea why you would have unbalance your bench having him there.

Haha what? Paris is easily as good as the best of the Georgian backs, much less the lesser ones in the side.

 

[psychic duck]

Haha what? Paris is easily as good as the best of the Georgian backs, much less the lesser ones in the side.

No he's not. He's just a reasonably fast player with little rugby brain and poor skill. Should stick to 7's methinks. He wouldn't get in the Georgian side.

 

[Toko_11]

I agree with the Duck... Canada should have higher standards Paris isn't better than Todua or machkaneli... and younger Shkinin would absolutely destroy him. Id say he may be better than Lekso gugava and chxikvadze from Georgian camp

 

[LittleGuy]

Carpenter and Wooldridge are out for the entire tour for Canada, Govorchin or Piffero will have to be called up at Hooker to back up Barkwill, Sinclair should move to #8 and Buekeboom, Ardron or Flagg go in at Lock.

Pritchard is the vice captain so not sure if he will go up to full captain we'll have to see.

Edit: roster has been announced and indeed Piffero has been called up a wise decision. It also looks like Paris has not been forgiven LOL. Van De Merwe misses out after his wife gave birth last week, Marshall is indeed hurt and none of Hirayama, Cudmore, Dolezel and Duke were recovered in time to join the side.

Here is Canada's tour roster.


Tyler Ardron, (Ospreys/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
Ray Barkwill, (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
Brett Buekeboom, (Plymouth Albion RFC) Lindsay, ON
Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB -
Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/Manawatu Turbos) Saskatoon, SK
Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
Jeff Hassler, (Ospreys/Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB
Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish) Vancouver, BC
Jake Ilnicki, (Williams Lake Rustlers/Auckland Colts) Williams Lake, BC
Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
Adam Kleeberger, (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) White Rock, BC
Phil Mack, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Jamie Mackenzie, (UVIC Vikes/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Phil Mackenzie, (Sale Sharks) Oakville, ON
Ryan March, (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford, BC
John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Jon Phelan, (Lille Métropole Rugby/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
Benoit Piffero, (Burnaby Lake RFC/Blagnac)
James Pritchard, (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia
Djustice Sears-Duru, (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
Andrew Tiedemann, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
Conor Trainor, (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON

 

[psychic duck]

Carpenter and Wooldridge are out for the entire tour for Canada, Govorchin or Piffero will have to be called up at Hooker to back up Barkwill, Sinclair should move to #8 and Buekeboom, Ardron or Flagg go in at Lock.

Pritchard is the vice captain so not sure if he will go up to full captain we'll have to see.

Edit: roster has been announced and indeed Piffero has been called up a wise decision? It also looks like Paris has not been forgiven LOL. Van De Merwe misses out after his wife gave birth last week, Marshall is indeed hurt and none of Hirayama, Cudmore, Dolezel and Duke were recovered in time to join the side.

Just a point on Carpenter. What''s the reasoning on Carpenter at #2? Is he better than Barkwill at the scrum and lineout? If so, why has Canada never used him as a number 8 to throw in?

Bad luck for Canada, they looked to be doing okay then a new load of injuries strike the front row and best forward and best back. They seem to be cursed.

 

[LittleGuy]

My preferred lineup for the Georgia game from that side....

1. Buydens
2. Barkwill
3. Tieddemann
4. Sinclair
5. Hotson
6. Kleeberger/Dala
7. Moonlight
8. Ardron
9. Mack
10. Underwood/Jones
11. Evans
12. P. Mackenzie
13. Trainor
14. Hassler
15. Pritchard

16. Piffero
17. Ilnicki
18. Sears-Duru
19. Phelan
20. Dala/Kleeberger
21. J. Mackenzie
22. Jones/Underwood
23. Hearn/Blevins( These two have had minor knocks whoever is healthier)