USA Rugby Updates – June 2020

Glendale Becomes Langford of the South – Loses MLR Franchise But Gains National Men’s XVs Team and National Governing Body

When I first read the press release from USA Rugby the similarities with Langford in Canada hit me. Langford is the home of the National Governing Body (NGB), Westhills Stadium has been the go to venue for the national team on many occasions. The national teams train in Langford.

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Return to Play Updates – June 2020

viaSport Sport Specific Return to Sport Plans and FAQ: BC Rugby Return to Sport Plan Expected by Weekend, Early Next Week

viaSport which is the province’s voice on Return to Sport guidelines has published a list of Provincial Sport Organizations that have submitted Return to Sport Plans (RTSP).

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Super Rugby Aotearoa – Round Two

Super Rugby Week Two Results and Video Highlights

Blues 24 – Chiefs 12

The Blues and Crusaders continue on as favourites after Week 2. The Chiefs again had a man advantage situation and were unable to fully capitalize. The Blues were able to score one first half try through pick and go from the forwards and added a penalty, The Chiefs kicked three penalties, for a 10-9 HT score.

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Rugby Canada Updates – June 2020

Rugby Canada Lifts National Suspension of Sanctioned Rugby Activities – Decision Making Now at Provincial Level

from Rugby Canada

As Rugby Canada and all Provincial Member Unions continue to move towards a return to play, the working group provided further updates on the process:

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Seattle Seawolves – June 2020

Seattle Seawolves and Phil Mack Part Ways – Mat Turner Hired as Assistant Coach

He won two MLR championships as a player/coach but wasn’t given the head coach’s job, a mystery to many, now he’s parted ways with Seattle and looking for the next opportunity.

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BCRN Statement on Diversity

BCRN Statement on Diversity

Recently a reader from Ontario, posting anonymously in the comment section, suggested that our four person panel for the Super Rugby Aotearoa predictions wasn’t diverse enough. They suggested the addition of a woman and a person of colour, it was pointed out that one person was Maori, but it made me realize we need to publish our position on social issues currently occupying the headlines, consider it our statement on diversity.

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Super Rugby Aotearoa – Round One

Super Rugby Week One Results and Video Highlights

Highlanders 28 – Chiefs 27

Our “experts” all got this one wrong although both Clay and AaronT were minutes away from claiming 2 points for the winning team plus correct differential as they had both called Chiefs +2. It was Chiefs +2, 27-25, when Bryn Gatland dropped a goal with just over a minute and half remaining. The fact that Bryn is the son of the opposing coach, Warren Gatland of the Chiefs, makes it even more amazing. He wasn’t even listed to play in the match until the starting #10 Josh Ioane was pulled with a late injury. Mitch Hunt was moved from fullback to #10 and Bryn Gatland was brought onto the bench. As AaronF remarked, “Gatlands son wasn’t in the lineup when I made the pick, re draw!”

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Return to Play Updates – June 2020

BC Government Issues Ministerial Order to Protect Amateur Sport Organizations from COVID-19 Liability – Rugby Still on National Suspension of Activity

Yesterday the BC Government made a huge announcement, that they were going to remove one of the roadblocks worrying amateur sport organizers, liability claims based on COVID-19. The BC Government announced that the “Government has created a ministerial order that protects amateur sport organizations, their employees and volunteers from liability.” It’s a first in Canada as far as we know.

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RWC 2023 – June 2020 Updates

World Rugby Announce Qualification Process for RWC 2023 in France: Americas Qualifying Process Still Up in the Air

World Rugby announced it’s qualification for the men’s World Cup in 2023 in France. Their media release is appended below.

From a Canadian perspective, the teams Canada traditionally have to get by to qualify as America 1 or 2 are USA and Uruguay. During the previous World Cup cycle Canada lost to both teams and had to head to the repechage which they won to qualify.

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