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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 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.

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.

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.

CANADIAN WOMEN BEAT FRANCE IN DIJON

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:55:22 +0000

Canada can finally exhale after ending their 11-year winless streak against France with a gritty 14-5 victory over the third place nation on Wednesday evening. Two second half tries and a full 80-minute defensive effort in front of a capacity crowd at Stade Bourillon in Dijon saw Canada let go of their decade-old French demons. This is a huge victory for the fourth-ranked nation, as they were atypically Canadian by boldly announcing they came to France expecting to win. The National Senior Women’s Team have been perpetual bridesmaids to the French at the last two World Cups, and prior to this evening’s victory, had only ever beat the European nation once.

Canada’s rugby squad routed by Japan

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:54:47 +0000

Hosts score six tries en route to lopsided 46-8 victory over Kieran Crowley’s team

SENDAI, Japan — The Associated Press Published on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 11:16AM EST

Japan scored six tries Sunday en route to a 46-8 thrashing of Canada in the first game of a two-match series.

Nathan Hirayama scored the lone Canadian try while James Pritchard provided a penalty goal in the first half.

“We turned over too much ball and did not dominate the contact/breakdown as we had discussed through the week,” said Canadian coach Kieran Crowley. “The Japanese on this day deserved their win with a better, smarter, performance through 80 minutes.”

THE 2010 RMC RUGBY COACHING CONFERENCE IN KINGSTON , ONTARIO HOSTS PIERRE VILLEPREUX

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:21:52 +0000

THE 2010 RMC RUGBY COACHING CONFERENCE IN KINGSTON , ONTARIO HOSTS PIERRE VILLEPREUX

RMC Rugby and Coaching the Coaches are thrilled to announce the 2010 Rugby Coaching Clinic Staff Starting Lineup . The third year of this Clinic will be held from Fri Feb 12- Sun Feb 14 in Kingston . Headlining the Clinic Staff will be renowned French Rugby Coach and Player , Pierre Villepreux who will be travelling from Paris for the weekend event . Joining Pierre will be Gary Henderson , the R.F.U. Head of Coaching Development from England , Lynn Evans , longtime RFU Coach Educator and Coach from Wales , Peter Baggetta , former USA Rugby Defensive Coach and presently Penn State Coach , John MacMillan , General Manager of Pacific Sport Victoria and former Head Coach of Pacific Pride , and clinicians on Rugby Specific Conditioning and Rugby Video Analysis .
The weekend fee includes Sat eve coaches’ social , Sat full luncheon at RMC , and numerous Rugby Company exhibitors . The single rate is $90 while a group of 5 or more coaches receive a rate of $75 . All details as well as complete biographies of clinicians and registration information can be found at www.coachingthecoaches.ca/rugby.asp Registrations can be done securely online . Last year’s event was sold out as 250 Rugby Coaches joined us from throughout Canada and the U.S.

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Website: www.coachingthecoaches.ca

Canadian rugby squad look to blend talent

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:15:10 +0000

Neil Davidson

The Canadian Press Published on Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009 1:09AM EST Last updated on Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009 1:11AM EST

Coach Kieran Crowley and the Canadian rugby team head off to the Far East on Sunday with five new caps in tow and a handful of overseas professionals slated to arrive a day later.

The uncapped players include six-foot-three 260-pound prop Tom Dolezel, a former football lineman from London, Ont., who has returned to rugby after attending the Calgary Stampeders’ camp as a free agent last year.

“I’m stoked,” Dolezel said of his first trip with the national team.

Canada, ranked 13th in the world, takes on No. 14 Japan in Sendai on Nov. 15 and then again in Tokyo on Nov. 22. The team then returns to Vancouver for a game against No. 16 Russia on Nov. 28.