I was browsing on X (formerly Twitter) and saw a post from an account called Tier 2 which asked a valid question, “Any good theories for why ???? Canada women (ranked 2nd in 15s & Olympic silver in 7s) currently such contrast to woeful state of the men’s sides? Even accounting for much shallower field on women’s side to be ranked 2nd with no Tier 1 money very impressive.”
On a cool, late September day the Ravens opened their season facing a fit, well drilled UVic team that was in good form having already had three tough Coastal Cup games. So, it was no surprise to see UVic seize the advantage early with a forward drive to score under the posts at 10 minutes which rewarded their control of the game to that point. Luckily for the home side though, minutes later, a UVic back hung a long miss pass which Ravens winger David Thompson stretched high to snag and quickly run in from short range 7-5 UVic.
Canada opened their WXV 1 campaign with a 46-24 win over France, the win will see Canada rise to #2 in the World rankings behind England. The match was close for the first 30 minutes with the teams tied at 14-14 until player of the match, second row, Laetitia Royer scored the first of her two tries to put Canada ahead, 19-14. A lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The BC Premier kicked off this weekend with four games, the Bays had a bye and the Pride were playing a Coastal Cup match. The theme of the season seems to be parity early on with an average of a 3 point difference over 4 matches in the BC Premier.
Canada can rise to #2 in the World Rugby rankings overtaking NZ on Sunday with a win over France. The result of the NZ vs Ireland match won’t improve NZ’s World Rugby ranking due to the large ranking difference between NZ and Ireland.
BC Rugby is delighted to announce the 2024 Hall of Fame Dinner, honouring BC Rugby’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and this year’s winners of The Joan Spray & Jack Patterson Memorial Awards.
I had a chance to talk to Ralph McRae, one of the driving forces behind the Vancouver Highlanders, and I’ll share my thoughts from the conversation. I’m sure if I get anything wrong, Ralph or Curry will let me know.
The Fraser Valley clubs Abbotsford and Langley did well in the Kamloops 7s elite divisions, Abbotsford won the U18 Boys top division plus the U16 Girls top division, Langley won the U18 Boys top division plus the Boys U14. James Bay from the Island won the U16 Girls top division plus the U14 Girls.
Canada have reduced their 35 player training camp list by cutting 6 players and adding one that wasn’t on the original training camp list.
The Coastal Cup enters week 3 with the two tops teams battling it out to determine who will remain on top and get an edge on claiming the Coastal Cup this year. The Dunbar Keg U20 competition takes a week off and men’s Div 1 kicks off across the province.