Romania U18 vs Canada U18

[dragos03]

I wasn't sure where to put this or if there is any interest in it, but the U18 team of Canada is currently in Bucharest where they will play three tests against Romania U18.

The first test was played today and Romania won 20-7 (7-0). The entire match can be watched here:
http://www.rugbytv.ro/2013/11/10/romania-u18-canada-u18.html

The next test will be played on Wednesday from 14.00 Romanian time. The final test will open the seniors test on November 16 and will start at 17.00 Romanian time. These two matches will also be streamed live on www.rugbytv.ro and later archived on the same website.

Here is Canada's squad for this tour: Nick Allen (Capilano), Jake Bentley (Calgary Canucks), Brendan Blakie (Markham Irish),Anders Blizzard (Saint John Trojans), Luke Bradley (Port Alberni), Bryce Chayse Moore (Montreal Exiles), Paul Ciulini (Aurora Barbs), Andrew Coe (Markham Irish), George Jeavons-Fellows (Worcester Kings), Harjun Gill (UBC Thunderbirds), Dillon Goos (London St. George’s RFC), Tyler Hergott (Mississauga Blues), Mackenzie Kea (Lindsay RFC), Karsten Leitner (UBC Old Boy Ravens), Ben LeSage (Calgary Canucks), Oliver Mayo (Calgary Canucks), Conor McRae (Capilano), Matthew Murphy (Dogs RFC), Reegan O’Gorman (Vancouver Rowing Club), David Pelosi (Beaconsfield Rugby), Gabriel Poirier (Abénakis), Malcolm Keith Salmon (Ottawa Irish), Mitchell Santilli (Brantford), Jean Bernard Sansoucy (Abénakis), Emile Sehic (Loyalist RFC), John Shaw (Bytown Blues), Matthew Tierney (Mississauga Blues), Derek Van Den Tempel (Swans RFC).

Romania will use three different squads for these tests, in order to blood as many players as possible against a team with a different style of play from our usual European opponents.

 

[lbentley]

Thanks for posting this - as a mother of one of the above mentioned boys (Jake Bentley) am anxious to watch!!!!

 

[norcalbuff]

That's (at least) 3 players from Quebec clubs, with 2 of them having Francophone names. Rugby Canada doing some development work in Quebec?

 

[jonny24]

I'll be sure to check these games out, thanks for posting this

 

[lbentley]

That's (at least) 3 players from Quebec clubs, with 2 of them having Francophone names. Rugby Canada doing some development work in Quebec?

They are promoting Rugby all over Canada, but yes there is development in Quebec

 

[norcalbuff]

They are promoting Rugby all over Canada, but yes there is development in Quebec

The reason I say it is that there has never been a test played in Quebec to my knowledge and I don't remember seeing any born and raised Quebecers in the Canada side ever. I know Piffero is there right now, but to my knowledge he was raised in France and learned his rugby there.

Given Quebec's contributions to Canadian hockey, it seems like there is a pretty athletic talent pool there to draw from. Similarly, the US's weakest area of rugby (the South) also is the place with its best athletes in its most popular sport.

 

[dragos03]

Canada has won the second test 20-17 with a last minute try (there was also a red card for Romania early in the second half). The whole match is here:
http://www.rugbytv.ro/2013/11/13/romania-u18-canada-u19.html

 

[lbentley]

Go canada go

Canada has won the second test 20-17 with a last minute try (there was also a red card for Romania early in the second half). The whole match is here:
http://www.rugbytv.ro/2013/11/13/romania-u18-canada-u19.html

 

[LittleGuy]

The reason I say it is that there has never been a test played in Quebec to my knowledge and I don't remember seeing any born and raised Quebecers in the Canada side ever. I know Piffero is there right now, but to my knowledge he was raised in France and learned his rugby there.

Given Quebec's contributions to Canadian hockey, it seems like there is a pretty athletic talent pool there to draw from. Similarly, the US's weakest area of rugby (the South) also is the place with its best athletes in its most popular sport.

There have been, just essentially none from the French speaking population. English speaking Quebecers from Montreal especially have made the side before and even now several are in the mix (The English speaking population in Quebec is in decline however, particularly outside Montreal where it is plummeting). Piffero is the 2nd most "connected" player to French speaking Quebec, previously Paul LeBlanc who was born in Sept. Iles Quebec had a few caps in the mid 90's is the only other French Canadian I've known/found that has played for Canada.

The women's side has however seen a spike in French Canadian participation druing the last decade and perhaps now some of that is crossing into the Men's programs. For cultural and historical reasons it's been a hard nut to crack for Rugby Canada and I know they are trying but at best it's a sort of ongoing project that will bare some fruit down the road. Quebecer's do like their gridiron and Ice Hockey a lot which competes for similar types of athletes.(though there number of players here isn't quite what it used to be and I expect *****ing from them when the 2014 Olympic roster dosen't have enough Quebecers LOL).

 

[norcalbuff]

Surely once we steal your last NHL team, there won't be hockey to compete with? Gary Bettman: savior of Canadian rugby.

Being serious for a minute, would a test match against France generate any interest in Quebec? Montreal's MLS stadium looks like it could be a decent venue for a test match.