Lol, with Smith, I haven't been able to seen him play in ages. Been moving countries a bit so I'm out of the loop on certain players.
The Ryan Smith I remember laid out some big hits on France A and Argentina A but that was a few years ago. Haven't really seen him play since as I have been only able to see highlights of Canada games and hear what my friends say. Hmmm maybe that's why I haven't seen him. He must've gotten really bad if everyone is so quick to hate on him.
I agree with Trainor and Evans as I have played against Trainor and he was a class above everyone else. I also hope Hirayama gets a chance and does well as I used to play across from him when he was with Richmond and Hugh McRoberts so it's good to see him in the world cup. I had a pleasant surprise last year though when I was in a pub watching a Glasgow Warriors game and found out that the South African guy the commentators were drooling over was Canadian (DTH Van Der Merwe.)
When I make the professional argument, I don't mean that these guys can't play professionally or are lacking skill in any way. What I am saying is that the Tongans are used to a higher quality of rugby that the Canadians are as they all play professionally. As good at Rugby in Canada (especially in BC) it's still not anywhere near the level of say the Super 15, Aviva, Top14 and Magners leagues.
Professional rugby players play at a quicker pace because the game moves a lot quicker at that level and they consistently play tougher competition. Whereas at the amateur level, things move a little slower. While Im sure if you took both Canada and Tonga and gave them a fitness test you'd get similar results. However, Canada will tire quicker because the level of competition that some of them normally face isn't as high as what Tongans face, thus they have to work harder to keep up.
I have a few questions though:
Are Pritchard and Monro still good?
What about Ciaran Hearn? 220lbs on the wing, I hope he plays like it.
My friend back home keeps raving about how are backline defense is no longer like Luongo against Chicago. Is it really good or still average?
The Ryan Smith I remember laid out some big hits on France A and Argentina A but that was a few years ago. Haven't really seen him play since as I have been only able to see highlights of Canada games and hear what my friends say. Hmmm maybe that's why I haven't seen him. He must've gotten really bad if everyone is so quick to hate on him.
I agree with Trainor and Evans as I have played against Trainor and he was a class above everyone else. I also hope Hirayama gets a chance and does well as I used to play across from him when he was with Richmond and Hugh McRoberts so it's good to see him in the world cup. I had a pleasant surprise last year though when I was in a pub watching a Glasgow Warriors game and found out that the South African guy the commentators were drooling over was Canadian (DTH Van Der Merwe.)
When I make the professional argument, I don't mean that these guys can't play professionally or are lacking skill in any way. What I am saying is that the Tongans are used to a higher quality of rugby that the Canadians are as they all play professionally. As good at Rugby in Canada (especially in BC) it's still not anywhere near the level of say the Super 15, Aviva, Top14 and Magners leagues.
Professional rugby players play at a quicker pace because the game moves a lot quicker at that level and they consistently play tougher competition. Whereas at the amateur level, things move a little slower. While Im sure if you took both Canada and Tonga and gave them a fitness test you'd get similar results. However, Canada will tire quicker because the level of competition that some of them normally face isn't as high as what Tongans face, thus they have to work harder to keep up.
I have a few questions though:
Are Pritchard and Monro still good?
What about Ciaran Hearn? 220lbs on the wing, I hope he plays like it.
My friend back home keeps raving about how are backline defense is no longer like Luongo against Chicago. Is it really good or still average?
. Granted that defence hasn't been tested against tier 1 opposition, but it has been good, nonetheless.
