CanadianRugby.ca » Canadian Rugby News

Canada makes no changes in championship match against the English Saxons

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:40:04 +0000

Rugby Canada:
Canada has made no changes to the starting fifteen that beat France A 33-27 on Saturday to advance to its first ever Churchill Cup final on Saturday vs the England Saxons.

Showing confidence in the huge display made by the team against the French Kieran Crowley has only named two changes to the replacements bench, adding Tyler Hotson as second row cover and Ryan Smith, who has been recovering from a leg injury, as a backs replacement.

Crowley says despite the excellent performance, there was room for improvement – but dramatic changes to the side were unwarranted.

“That was as good a performance as I have seen them have,” said Crowley of his team. “You reward that kind of performance with another start.”

Certainly one newcomer, getting his first start last weekend, had a huge impact. Brian Erichsen scored the winning try in the 70th minute, coming back on the field after receiving seven stitches for a gash across his scalpline, courtesy of an elbow from France’s Yoann Maestri in the 30th minute. He was physical around the break down and had the pace late in the game to provide critical support for Adam Kleeberger, who had intercepted a French pass at the Canadian 22, legging it some 50 metres before off-loading to his battery mate…

CANADA SCORES THRILLING VICTORY OVER FRANCE

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:55:48 +0000

Rugby Canada: Canada has recorded an historic 33-27 win over France A to book a first ever trip to the Churchill Cup Championship finals next week in New Jersey.

In a game that saw multiple lead changes throughout the hard fought 80 minute battle at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, the Canadians scored a key try by Manitoba native Brian
Erichsen in the 70th minute and held off a late French charge for the upset win.

The victory is yet another progression for third year coach Kieran Crowley, the former All Black who took over the coaching helm in 2008.

Canada takes rugby hardware

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:32:59 +0000

22-17 victory over the United States gives Canada London Sevens bowl championship

LONDON — The Associated Press

Canada captured the bowl championship at the rugby union’s London Sevens with victories over Portugal and the United States on Sunday.

The Canadians defeated the U.S. 22-17 in the bowl semifinals, then edged Portugal in a thrilling 19-17 victory.

Portugal led 12-7 at halftime with tries from Goncalo Foro and Aderito Esteves with Pedro Leal converting one. Canada’s Nathan Hirayama converted his own try.

Rugby: Canada dumps France

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:15:50 +0000

Sevens squad falls to South Africa, Fiji but hands Les Bleus 26-7 shocker in London

TWICKENHAM, England — The Canadian Press Published on Saturday, May. 22, 2010 6:50PM EDT Last updated on Saturday, May. 22, 2010 9:51PM EDT

Nathan Hirayama led the way with two second-half tries as Canada rebounded after dropping its first two games at the London Sevens rugby tournament with a 26-7 victory over France on Saturday.

Phil Mack also had a try in the second half for Canada (1-0-2), while Sean Duke had one in the first.

UVic Vikes 2010 Rounsefell Cup Champions

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 07:36:59 +0000

UVic Media Release
posted May 15 2010

VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes men’s rugby team is 2010 Rounsefell Cup champions. The Vikes earned the distinction of provincial champs by knocking off Meraloma 31-27 in Saturday’s title match at Wallace Field.

With 1,200 fans packing Wallace Field for the CDI BC Premier championship game, the Vikes failed to disappoint on home soil. Nate Hirayama accounted for 26 points and the Vikes toppled the defending champs, to win their first Rounsefell Cup since 2003.

CANADA OVER WALES TO TAKE BOWL FINAL

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:28:54 +0000

Rugby Canada Reporting:

Canada has beaten Wales 35-19 to win the Bowl Championship at the Hong Kong Sevens – considered the pinnacle tournament of the International Rugby Board Series outside of World Cup years.

Canada built a 28-0 first half lead over the Welsh with tries coming from debutant Thyssen de Goede, Chauncey O’Toole, Ciaran Hearn and Phil Mack, who also converted all four scores.

Rugby: Australia dumps Canada

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:23:09 +0000

Canadians defeat China 12-7 but drops 36-12 decision to Commonwealth rivals during Hong Kong Sevens tournament

HONG KONG — The Associated Press Published on Saturday, Mar. 27, 2010 9:29PM EDT

Canada gained a split of its two games Saturday at the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.

The Canadians defeated China 12-7 to set up a showdown with Australia for top spot in Pool D and a berth in the quarter-finals. However, the Australians earned that distinction with a 36-12 victory, handing Canada its only loss of the three-game preliminary round.

After Olympic bobsled gold, Moyse transitions back to rugby

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:59:00 +0000

By Marc Weber, Canwest Olympic Team, Canwest News ServiceWHISTLER, B.C. – There’s no rest for the driven.

Heather Moyse of Summerside, P.E.I., who pushed Kaillie Humphries to Olympic gold in women’s bobsleigh Wednesday, has now set her sights on the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England this August.

Moyse, 31, was among the best women’s rugby players in the world two years ago.

She led the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup in scoring and was named an all- star, and made her national team sevens debut at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in March, 2008.

All I want for Christmas is a New Rugby Stadium: From Mini Donuts to a Mini Stadium: Campaign for a National Rugby Stadium

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:07:37 +0000

All I want for Christmas is a New Rugby Stadium

Is it time for Rugby Canada to plan out a new (1st and only ever) national rugby stadium. Should they work with a local authority and or Club/Provincial Association to get a new stadium off the ground? Clearly our stadium situation is inadequate forced to rent public facilities in which we have no control or make and assemble make shift stadiums for international matches drawing the derision of the international community for our carnival fair ground type rugby experience. Sorry, we are out of Guinness but plenty of mini donuts available. We saw at the recent Canada v. Ireland game in Vancouver that the stadium situation was inadequate not enough seating for some fans as they were forced to see the match through VIP tents blocking their view. How many fans could we get if we had a more professional facility? If fans could meet the players after wards in a pub inside the stadium that certainly would enhance the experience. So, what are the solutions, we all know that Rugby Canada lacks the required funds to build a proper stadium right? Well true to a point but like a family sets aside a budget for housing Rugby’s house is their stadium and if we don’t plan for proper facilities now then we will not be able to grow the game in the future. Setting aside even a modest amount of money for a stadium campaign shows that we are forward thinking and have confidence in the game. Too bad this forward planning wasn’t done by our forefathers some 30 years ago and we wouldn’t be in this stadium dilemma.

Here are some ideas, work with the City of Richmond in British Columbia to have a small Rugby only stadium built and start out with a 3,000 seat stand with a further 3,000 terrace stand on the opposite end. As far as I am aware Richmond has no stadium at all and may offer some incentives to have one built in their area. Richmond is close to the Vancouver International Airport and perfect location for visiting international teams. Perhaps, if a stadium campaign was started interested donors may come forward to get involved in the project, but with no campaign and no media awareness then these donors definitely will not come forward. $75,000 from Rugby Canada would support a approximate 1.5 million mortgage on a stadium. How much extra revenue could be achieved from owning and controlling your own stadium? How much are the costs in assembling make shift stadiums and how many fans are lost from unprofessional game set ups.? How many volunteer hours does it take to set up these make shift stadiums and are games just not organized as a result of the venues not being available or no resources to plan these stadium builds. These questions need to be answered in coming up with plans for the future. We need to look at reducing Rugby Canada’s administrative costs and if we can come up with $150,000 a year that will support a $3,000,000 mortgage on a stadium. Perhaps, Rugby Canada could have 1 office instead of 2 and its offices could be made in the stadium. In any event it is time that some leadership be taken and we plan on solving now the inadequacy of our Rugby stadiums in Canada. Who else but the National Rugby Association, Rugby Canada, to get this going. Maybe Tim Hortons can have naming rights, TimBits Stadium. “home of the Canadian National Rugby Team”.

photo credit: Hugh Jervis
article: credit Moosehead

National rugby team faces unknown By Jim Morris, THE CANADIAN PRESS

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:37:51 +0000

VANCOUVER, B.C. – There could be some cautious opening minutes in Saturday’s international rugby match between Russia and Canada.

Neither of the teams knows much about the other, so there will probably be “a bit of a feeling-out period,” Canadian captain Pat Riordan said Thursday.

“It’s a test match so there is a lot at stake,” the bearded hooker from London, Ont., said at a news conference. “Both teams will be trying to not make mistakes, which can make for boring watching.