by Peter MacDonald
After another long layoff rugby resumed at Jericho with the #2 seed Ravens hosting the #7 seed Rowers in a quarterfinal matchup. The Ravens, missing a few of its leading players through injury and for personal reasons, were fortunate to get the win as it was a hard fought even game that definitely could have turned out differently. It was not a Picasso but a win is a win as they say.
OK, in the Guess the New Rugby Canada CEO contest, whoever guessed an American from small town Michigan who studied filmmaking and majored in film at Syracuse Universitys College of Visual and Performing Arts wins the grand prize. Well done you!
from World Rugby
World Rugby has announced that New Zealand will host the 2022 edition of the Pacific Four Series in June as four of the worlds top teams go head-to-head ahead of Rugby World Cup 2021.
from Rugby Canada
Canadas Senior Womens and Mens Sevens teams were both crowned RAN Sevens Qualifiers Cup winners on Sunday, confirming their places at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in the process.
April 23
Houston SaberCats 29 v Toronto Arrows 17 @ Aveva Stadium
Houston are 5th in the West. There are no Canadians in the roster.
Toronto are 3rd in the East. Keith and Quattrin are in the front row, Sheppard and Ciulini second row, Rumball and O’Neill loose forwards. Di Nardo is scrum half, Richardson, Sheridan, Voralek the back three. Spencer Jones is outside centre, 11 Canadian in the starting XV. On the bench McRogers, Rowland, Wadden, Vikilani, McRorie, du Toit.
UBCOB Ravens 19 v Vancouver Rowing Club 10 @ 14:30
Referee: Ryan Alguire Assessor: Michael Landiak
Venue: Jericho Beach Park
Ravens won but it was a lot closer than the +18 we predicted. The Ravens without Aaron McLelland, David O’Donoghue and Brian Moylett didn’t put up the points we expected. The Rowers may have upped their game on defence, we’ll wait for Peter MacDonald’s report to hear his insights. It sets up a Ravens v CW semi-final match at Jericho. Ravens narrowly won that match in the regular season.
[ed. Chris Assmus is TMO for USA vs French Barbarians, and Talal Chaudhry is AR for USA for Chile. There are no Canadian International matches listed yet.]
World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for the mens 15s internationals to be played in June and July.
from Tyler Leggatt
I just wanted to let you know that I am on my way home from a highly successful trip down to Tampa, Florida where we had eight teams competing in the 2022 Tropical 7s. I had nicknamed this tour the Reboot to Rugby tour and it was a great opportunity for us to kick off to return to rugby, and prepare for the upcoming spring and summer season here in Canada.
We had a chance to interview Graham Turner about the success of the Ravens U19 program. He had some interesting insights, the interview is below.
April 15
Old Glory DC 22 v Utah Warriors 21 @ Segra Field 5pm PT
DC are last in the East at 0-9. Luke Campbell starts at #8 and Jake Ilnicki is in the reserves at prop.