UVic Vikes 36 – TWU 25
UVic booked their ticket to the Canadian University Championships in Kingston in November. They’ll represent BC along with UBC. We had predicted a +13 UVic win and weren’t far off. Tamilore Awonusi scored 2 tries from the wing for TWU and Matthew Willemse added another. UVic scored 5 tries but Vikes media haven’t posted a recap of the match yet to provide details.
Jack Hanratty has been given the reigns of the contentious senior women’s 7s program until the end of the calendar year. The program has been hitting the headlines recently but not in a positive way. First the players ousted their long time coach, John Tait, accusing him of harassment and bullying, charges he was later cleared of by an independent investigator. Then they tanked at the Olympics, finishing 9th, after being favoured to repeat their 2016 Bronze medal performance.
It’s week 2 of the BCRU club schedule. Here are some of the league leaders after Week 1.
by Mike Devlin
The Burnaby Lake Rugby Club & UVIC Rugby community lost a dear friend on Oct 6 2021 with the tragic passing of Steve Batie. Steve was originally from Ladysmith BC and started his rugby career there before moving onto the UVIC Vikes. He represented Canada at the 2003 U21 World Cup before moving his studies to BCIT and joining the BLRC. Steve donned the Blue & White for 14 seasons, winning provincial championships and representing the BC Bears on numerous occasions including their game vs Oxford at Brockton Oval and in the BCRU 100th anniversary South American tour where he started in games vs Buenos Aires and the historic BC victory over Uruguay in Montevideo.
With Canada’s recent exodus from 2023 contention, it has prompted some reflection in the Canadian rugby community. Rugby Canada are doing another review, but with their history of committee and review failures, there’s not a lot of confidence this one will make a lot of difference. If you want to read up on it there’s an article in the Canadian Press. Basically “the review panel will consist of Calgarys STRAAD Consulting, led by president and CEO Megan Luu, along with Own The Podiums Mel Davidson and World Rugbys Mike McGovern.” There’s some concern that the review won’t be independent and look at broader issues such as leadership, as Rugby Canada has created a committee to “support and facilitate the review” that includes CEO Allen Vansen and several board members.
It’s midway through the 8 week season and it’s looking like the title won’t be decided until the last week when the two undefeated teams meet, Pacific Pride and Vancouver Wave. There’s a lot of rugby to play in between and one or both of those teams may lose a game before then.
from Rugby Canada
Head coach Sandro Fiorino has announced his roster for Rugby Canadas National Senior Womens 15s Fall Tour, beginning in November. Canada faces the USA, Wales and World No.1 England as they continue preparations for the rescheduled Rugby World Cup in October 2022.
It’s the opening weekend of club rugby in BC, delayed this year due to COVID. There are over 70 matches taking place across the province ranging from senior rugby to age-grade rugby.
The 2022 World Rugby 7s series starts November 2021 with two consecutive tournaments in Dubai. It then moves to Spain for two consecutive tournaments in January. From there the men move to Vancouver (Feb 26-27) and LA (March 5-6) for tournaments.
[the Word document for registration provided by Ian Hyde-Lay can be downloaded here.]
To be held at Shawnigan Lake School: