[ed. at the time of publication Rugby Canada haven’t acknowledged the change in qualifying process.]
A journalist from Uruguay, Ignacio Chans, creator of the Uruguay Rugby News twitter.com/RugbyNews_uy has broken the news about the 2023 RWC qualifying process for the Americas. The article, in Spanish, is here.
from Karl Fix
NICARAGUA NEEDS A HELPING HAND AFTER 2 DEVASTATING HURRICANES
We kicked it off with a $1,000 to the Howlers Rugby Club initiated GOFUNDME page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/74ah3-nicaragua-hurricane-relief ). Now lets show why we say that rugby is more then a game its a way of life!! Please send to all your friends!!
The pool draw for RWC 2021 was made yesterday and Canada have found themselves in Pool B with North American rivals USA. In RWC 2017 the USA made it through to the final group of four based on bonus points. Canada finished 5th. Both teams had a 2-1 record and both came second in their pool to the eventual finalists, New Zealand and England. That year the format was the top 3 in each pool plus the best 2nd place would go to the final 4.
Only in 2020 you say? Three of Canada’s top backline players, Cole Davis, DTH and Jeff Hassler have signed with sister clubs Austin Gilgronis and LA Giltinis. Cole Davis and Jeff Hassler are going with Gilgronis and DTH to Giltinis. Both teams are owned by the Loyals Rugby Group out of Australia. The terms Gilgronis and Giltinis are trademarks owned by the Giltini Group LLC of Australia. In case other MLR teams come up for sale, they also own the trademark on Gilacolada, Gilgarita and Gilpolitan.
Cindy Nelles first showed up on our radar in 2012 when she started at #4 in the national women’s XVs East v West match in Langford. She played for the West and her lock partner that day was Maria Jaworski, the loose forwards on the West team were Kayla Mack, Barbara Mervin and Jen Kish, quite a bit of talent there. The East however had some talent in the backline including Ghislaine Landry, Magali Harvey, Bianca Farella, Britt Benn and Mandy Marchak. The East would prevail on that August day.
from World Rugby
– Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to join Melodie Robinson, Dr Farah Palmer and Dan Carter as RWC 2021 ball presenters
There were at least 8 Canadian women in action in the English Premier. Four players on the Exeter Chiefs including Emily Tuttosi who scored a try in Exeter’s first win of the season. Sophie de Goede came off the bench for Saracens in their win. Paige Farries had her debut for Worcester and two more Canadians suited up for Loughborough (Holtkamp, Svoboda) in their loss to Harlequins.
Kira Peary is the fourth annual recipient of the John Cannon Memorial Fund, established in honour of John Cannon. There’s a full article appended below from UVic Vikes communication on Kira and the John Cannon Memorial Fund.
Women’s English Premier
The Women’s English Premier kicks off Round 4 this weekend with these matches.
Will Percillier Top 14 Try
Former Canada U20 scrum half Will Percillier scored a try for Stade Francais Paris in his first run out with the senior team. He subbed in off the bench and showed strong support work to claim his first Top 14 try. Percillier played his high school rugby at Brentwood and then went on to UBC.