The Howlers motto is “it’s more than a game, it’s a way of life”. This photo essay takes you through the Howlers tour to the Gran Jaguar 7s tour in Guatemala in October 2024. It features the photography of Chris Graham.
After a Thanksgiving break, an election and heavy seasonal rains, I mean an “atmospheric river”, interrupted league play it was the hardcore faithful who rolled up to take in the games at Burnaby Lake on Saturday. But the break in play did not detract from the Ravens’ form as the Rippers won 27-17 in Div 1 play and the premier team carried on with another solid performance.
It’s Week 4 of the BC Premier with some good matchups. The Vikes host TWU which is a Coastal Cup match but more importantly the qualifier for the University Championships with a BC #2 berth for the victor. In Women’s Premer it’s Seattle at Burnaby and CW hosting the Thunderbirds 2nd team.
A huge upset in the Coastal Cup with TWU upsetting the home team Vikes however the Vikes advance to the University Championships based on the points of the home and away games between the three university sides, a further explanation below.
UBC, who have won all but one men’s University titles to date, have qualified as BC #1 already. UBC along with host University of Ottawa are the only teams confirmed at the time of writing. The BC #2 will be decided this weekend when UVic host TWU, UVic winning the first match by +4.
UBC and UVic will be representing Canada West at the University Championships starting next week. UBC claimed the CanWest title with a comprehensive 51-22 over UVic. The match report is appended below.
Gone are the days of Canada getting November tour matches against Tier 1 countries, this November Canada #22 get matches with Chile #21 and Romania #20, the two teams ahead of them in the rankings. USA #19 get matches with Portugal #15, Tonga #16, Spain #18. There’s no explanation from Rugby Canada or World Rugby on why Canada only get two tour matches. Chile #21 play Canada #22, Netherlands #27 and a Scotland A side. Uruguay #17 play Spain #18, Japan #14, Romania #20.
Thanks to Peter Muirhead who put together these league tables for the weekend ending October 20th 2024.
The BC Premier enters Week 3 after the Thanksgiving break, I’m in Guatemala at the Gran Jaguar 7s tournament with the Howlers. A couple of BC Premier props are here as well playing for the Howlers, Denver Fatt and Simeon John. Late notice that the Caps v Ravens game was cancelled due to field closures, also we’ve been advised the Lomas v Burnaby match was cancelled/postponed for the same reason.
World Rugby announced the pools for the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. Canada, ranked #2, will face Scotland, Wales and Fiji in the pool round. The top two teams in each pool advance to the quarter-finals.
I feel I should explain to readers why there’s been no rugby update since October 12th, and I do have a reason, a rugby reason, I’m with the Howlers on their tour to Guatemala for the Gran Jaguar 7s tournament on October 18th and 19th. The tournament live stream is here.