The BCRU results system doesn’t explicitly name a winner or show, in many cases, which is the finals match, so a bit of interpretive reading of the results is required. If in doubt check the results directly using the links below.
The Canadian forwards were dominant and paved the way for victory. Canada scored 6 tries, 3 of them directly by the forwards, 2 by scrum half Brianna Miller working off the forwards effort and 1 by the backs from a blocked kick. Canada weren’t able to generate an attack out wide which will be a concern in the upcoming matches against Italy and USA. Handling errors were also an issue with stats showing 15 lost turnovers in the opposition half.
Canada got the job done on Day 2 with a bonus point win in their first match. They definitely left points off the scoreboard with handling errors and a lack of finishing but coaches and players will be happy with the opening win and look on improving against Italy. Italy upset USA to go second in Pool B and Wales needed a penalty kick at the whistle to defeat Scotland.
[ed. Rugby Canada’s press release mentions Gradyn Bowd affiliated with Old Glory DC of MLR, we don’t know if that’s new signing info or an RC error.]
Kingsley Jones has named the Canada ‘A’ team that heads to Brazil for the Americas Rugby Trophy. It brings in some new faces but it still gives Jones the option of fielding a fully capped team if he chooses. He’s well known for naming players to tours and then not including them in the match day rosters, so we’ll see what the rosters look like in the two matches before making a final evaluation.
Canadian rugby fans have been waiting to find out who the men’s XVs team will be playing this fall in the traditional Autumn Internationals. We already know a Canada ‘A’ team will be travelling to Brazil to play a Chile XV and a Brazil XV in Brazil on the 21st and 26th of October. We found that out through the Brazil Rugby Union. There were rumours of a match vs Netherlands in November and perhaps Namibia who are also in Europe but those matches haven’t shown up on the match official assignments from World Rugby, meaning they’re not happening, they’re not full tests, or they’re not fully resolved yet. Take your pick.
Shane O’Leary to Arrows
The Toronto Arrows announced the signing of Shane O’Leary. O’Leary had been playing rugby at Rouen in the Pro D2 which is the second level of French rugby. He played for Canada U20 in 2013 and helped them to a second place finish behind Italy at the JWRT. We posted an article on him in 2014 as he was joining Connacht and did an interview in May 2013 when he was preparing for the JWRT and was in Langford. Those articles are here.
from BCRU
BC Bears Boys and Girls Elite 7s teams will be heading to New Zealand this December, to compete at the 2022 World School Sevens.
Week 4 has wrapped up. In the Barnard Cup, the Bays can be announced as winners even though there’s two weeks left in the competition, their 3-0 record with 14 points is beyond the reach of CW and Westshore. Congrats to them. In the Coastal Cup it’s still a battle with the Pride at 3-1 leading, UVic and UBC at 2-2 and TWU at 1-3. On the mainland the Ravens (4-0) continue as the only undefeated side. A reminder there’s no Premier action next weekend, Thanksgiving weekend. Action resumes October 15th.
Head Coach Positions
The Fraser Valley Rugby Union is seeking coaches for the upcoming McKechnie Cup and Dunbar Cup. The McKechnie Cup is a regional competition that will begin November 26th and run through early December. This will give elite players from the Fraser Valley Rugby Union clubs a pathway to the BC Bears program. The Dunbar Cup is also a regional competition for U20 players. It will run at the same time as McKechnie Cup.
Canadian Classics
The Royal Gazette in Bermuda, the host of the World Classics tournament, has mentioned some marquee names that will be attending the tournament which starts October 8th. Top of their list was Delon Armitage for England. For Canada they mentioned, “Jamie Cudmore will be among Canada’s big hitters. He made 43 appearances for the senior national team and featured in four World Cups. Hell be joined by John Moonlight, who represented his country in Rugby Sevens, including at HSBC World Series tournaments, three Commonwealth Games and winning two gold medals at the Pan Am Games. Canadas team will also feature exciting scrum-half Phil Mack and Brodie Henderson, who represented the country at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens tournament.”