Phil Mack the iconic Canadian scrum half has been named as the Attack Coach for the men’s XVs team. Currently acting as head coach of the Pacific Pride, the Rugby Canada Academy, he’ll continue in that role while taking on this new role.
The Vancouver Highlanders have announced Josh Thiel as their 6th signing. Josh has been capped for Canada at the senior level and at the U20 level. He’s also represented Canada on the 7s circuit and played for the San Diego Legion of the MLR. He’s plays both #10 and inside centre, although his first senior cap was at fullback. He’s was part of a talented group of BC U19 players that won Gold at the National Championships in 2016, also on that team were Michael Smith, Callum Botchar, Elias Ergas and Noah Bain.
[note due to snow in Victoria the January 20th matches have been postponed, Vikes vs CWU is postponed until Tuesday, January 23rd at 1pm, Jutes vs DTS is postponed until Saturday, January 27th at 1pm]
This UVic initiative looks like a keeper and hopefully will become an annual event. UVic coaching staff were looking for extra games for their Jutes team, that’s their 3rd squad, made up of first year players, basically the 18 year old age group.
Wayne Barnes refereed more international tests than anyone else in the history of rugby, including at five Men’s World Cups where he held the whistle in the 2023 Final. His autobiography – Throwing the Book: The Strife and Crimes of a RUGBY Referee – is particularly relevant for understanding the psychological pressure on referees, the values and integrity of the game, and his insight into how the game ought to be played.
Paul Ciulini has been named as the 5th Vancouver Highlanders signing. Capped 8 times for Canada, he was on the last Canada team to defeat Uruguay at both the U20 (2015) and senior (2016) levels.
The BC Rugby Hall of Fame will return in June 2024 as part of an exciting, revamped awards celebration. More information on this will be released by BC Rugby at a later date.
Saracens remain undefeated in the women’s English Premier competition, there were 3 Canadians in the starting lineup for the Saracens, Sophie de Goede #6, Paige Farries #14 and McKinley Hunt #1.
When the Rugby Canada Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 was announced there was some excitement around the National Training Centres initiative. In the plan it states the goal as “Develop high performance rugby centres of excellence in different cities or regions across the country to address the training and competition gap in women’s and men’s high performance rugby ensuring quality alignment with Rugby Canada’s national team strategic objectives.” There were thoughts of Pacific Pride type of programs in other regions of the country.
Takoda McMullin has been named as the 4th Vancouver Highlanders signing. The outside centre has represented Canada at the U20 level, Canada ‘A’ and long listed for Canada.
It’s difficult to get any answers out of Rugby Canada on the men’s U20 program, a critical link to the men’s XVs program. Stephen Aboud was announced in May 2023 as the head of the High Performance programs but 9 months later he’s doing his best impersonation of the invisible man.