Howlers Win Final Match of Tour – Get Write Up on ESPN
The Howlers wrapped up their tour this weekend, 1 win and 2 losses, but the scope is much larger than the results on the field. The benefits to the young players and in a year or so, to the Canada U20 program, will be significant. Also the rugby contacts made with Argentine and Buenos Aires rugby administrators and players will pay dividends down the road. Kudos to the Howlers, Karl Fix, the supporters and most importantly the players for taking on this gruelling tour to one of the bastions of amateur rugby. Also a shout out to the man in Argentina who helped put this together, Les Cusworth.
Howlers Report on Final Match
Canadian Howlers Rugby Club at Hindu Rugby Club
Final Score: Howlers 38 – 10 Hindu Rugby Club
Game Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
At 8:30 pm in Buenos Aires, the Canadian Howlers Rugby Club (the “Howlers”) played the last match of their tour against their hosts, the Hindu Rugby Club. These two well-matched sides agreed to an extended match of three (3) thirty-minute periods to allow for both of their gigantic rosters of thirty (30) players each to get meaningful time on the pitch!
Founded in October 1919 by former students of Colegio La Salle known as the “Hindustánicos”, the Hindu Rugby Club (“Hindu”) began playing rugby in 1935 after moving its headquarters to Don Torcuato in the Buenos Aires Province. For decades, the team competed without major titles, building a strong community spirit under club figures like Francisco Borgonovo and Jorge “el Tío” Comotto.
The turning point arrived in 1996 when Hindu won both its first Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires (“URBA”) championship and the Nacional de Clubes. Guided by coach “Tito” Fernández, this victory established a fast, dynamic style of play and launched the storied “Era del Elefante” (“Elephant Era”), characterized by their famous mascot brought to every final.
In the decades following, the club from Don Torcuato became a dominant powerhouse in Argentine rugby. Supplying numerous players to the national team, Los Pumas, Hindu secured over twenty top-tier provincial and national titles, cementing a legacy centered on strong team bonds and winning tradition.
The Howlers had the unique honour of not only playing against Hindu, but also being hosted for the entirety of their stay in Argentina at the Hindu facilities. As was tradition, the Howlers again took part in the “third half” to share a meal, celebrate their match, and provide gifts and thanks for a rugby match played between the Howlers and their incredible hosts.
Howlers Point Scorers:
Anderson – 1T
Barron – 2C
Durant – 1T
Graham – 1T
Grealy – 2C
Murray – 1T
Policelli – 1T
Young – 1T
The Howler’s Roster for the match:
1. Sam Meikle (C)
2. Grady Curran
3. Junior Atalifo
4. Naithan Hurd
5. Bohdan Morris (VC)
6. Jamie Dent
7. Kyler Good
8. Mason Durant
9. Declan Bowman
10. Liam de Goede
11. Lucas Peddle
12. Nolan Grealy
13. Desmond Murray
14. Declan Anderson
15. Kelan Barron
16. Henry Budden
17. Aidan Raino
18. Jack Porter
19. Connor Graham
20. Cohen Huisamen
21. Kalem Balodis
22. Caden du Plessis *
23. Holdne Sawatzky
24. Luke Thomson
25. Oliver Policelli
26. Logan Jones
27. Daniel Turvey
28. Will Young
29. Syndey Webb *
30. Cameron Seed *
*On Injury Recovery
The Howlers are glad to have shared their love of the game, their appreciation, and their motto – “It’s more than a game, it’s a way of life” – with Hindu Rugby Club, and are eternally grateful to their gracious hosts for having them stay at the Hindu facilities during their 2026 tour to Argentina.
Awoooo!
ESPN Argentina Article on 2nd Match
TRANSLATION
SIC and CASI together: rivalry set aside in a historic match against the Canadian Howlers
There are sacred rivalries that only those born in San Isidro truly understand. These are matches where the turf trembles, where every tackle is delivered with the fury of an erupting volcano, and wearing the rival’s jersey is the only unforgivable sin. But rugby, that alchemist of the impossible, decided to erase the border. On a night when the sky threatened to collapse, the age-old rivalry hung in the air, and the youth academies of the two giants of Argentine rugby joined forces to stop a northern onslaught: the Canadian Howlers.
The setting was pitch 2 of the San Isidro Club, a sanctuary that witnessed a poetic metamorphosis. The initiative: from the URBA (Buenos Aires Rugby Union), following the incidents that occurred in last year’s semifinal. That rival you would have stopped with a colossal tackle on any other Saturday was suddenly breathing down your neck, pushing in the same scrum, and sweating the same epic battle. An indomitable hybrid of SIC’s and CASI’s U18 teams came out to stake their claim against the Canadian giants who had come to our country on tour.
The final score was an anecdotal 22-12 for the hosts, but the match was a cauldron of intensity. Far from being a lukewarm exhibition, the pitch blazed with sparks of pure dynamite; as the minutes ticked by, the clash reached a volcanic temperature. The home team took to the field in alternative formal attire to avoid offending anyone: the SIC players in their classic blue and black; the CASI players in a stark and imposing nighttime black.
Thirty players—fifteen per side—divided their forces exactly to play two 35-minute halves of pure adrenaline. On the sidelines, the tactics of the scoreboards set up a historic round table: Bruno Vitale and Marcelo Soiza for Zanja; Santiago Saenz and Pablo Amadeo for Academia.
“It was something very different. I’d never experienced anything like it,” says Feliz Rivero Ayerza, Zanja’s captain in the first half. “I really enjoyed it, it was great,” he adds. For the second half, the captain’s armband passed to Ignacio Villagra, a key player for CASI: “It doesn’t happen often, and it’s great to experience it, to live it and share it with everyone, the SIC players and us.” It was great, really fun.”
Behind the match was a chess maneuver devised by a legend: Les Cusworth. Upon learning of the Canadian team’s arrival, he challenged his lifelong friend Marcelo “Tano” Loffreda. The spark ignited at SIC, but their ambition demanded more: to invite their long-time rival for an unforgettable feat in Boulogne. Thus, presidents, coaches, families, and fans defied the script of history to push towards the same try line.
“Off the field, we have a relationship, we’re from the same circle. We all know each other, and there’s a good vibe,” Villagra says about daily life. Beside him, Rivero Ayerza adds, “What I take away from today is having to adapt to something different, to play differently, and to meet new people on the field.”
The floodlights slowly went out over the “Cathedral of Boulogne,” leaving only that immortal torch burning: the post-match celebration. Amid laughter, singing, hamburgers, and shared anecdotes, boys from SIC, CASI, and Canada sealed an eternal night, demonstrating that even if passion divides an area for eighty minutes, rugby always finds a way to bring the neighborhood together under the same stars.
Howlers Final Match in Argentina vs Hindu Rugby Club Kicks Off Today
It has been a challenging tour for young Canadian players, opponents changed, dates changed, and a bug going through the camp. The latest is the host club changed the match from Saturday to Friday, giving the Canadian visitors only a day recuperation. Karl says the game is 8:30 pm but the video stream says 8 pm, so 4 pm PT to be safe. There was an encouraging message sent to the team from Canada U20 coach, Christiaan Esterhuizen, which is appended below.
The Hindú Club who the U18 Canadian Howlers side will play their final tour game against at 8:30 pm Buenos Aires time tonight was founded in 1918 and has become one of the most successful rugby teams of Argentina, having won 22 titles since 1996 to present day .
Streaming : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0DAnDOjhrk
Just a few words from back home. A full day of travel to even get there, next to no prep, three games in six days, one of them against a senior side nobody warned you about, a kickoff moved on you at the last minute, sore bodies and a bug going through camp, and you still went out last night and made that game yours to win. Handling, a couple of mental errors: that’s what training sessions fix, and you’ve had a handful of them. Character you can’t coach, and that part you already have.
Stop and think about that for a second. Most of you are seventeen, eighteen years old. You got on a plane, landed in a country you’d never seen, and walked straight into three matches in six days against sides who have been doing this a lot longer than you have. And you didn’t blink and your were competitive and physical! That’s the kind of week players still talk about ten years later.
Every challenge you’ve hit on this trip is exactly what the top level feels like. Matchweeks at pro level are never clean. Plans change, players go down, you play tired, you play jet-lagged, you play a side you didn’t prepare for. The teams that go far aren’t the ones who dodge the rough stuff,they’re the ones who have been through it already and know they’ll still be standing on the other side. You’re learning that now, young. That’s a gift, even if it doesn’t feel much like one this week.
For those of you with your eye on a national jersey: this tour will teach you more than an easy one ever would. Keep the small things tight — be on time, look after the man next to you, do the extras when nobody’s watching. That’s the habit that travels with you, and it gets noticed long before any highlight reel does.
Good luck with the last game. Every one of us back home is proud of the way you’re carrying yourselves.
‘’Keep your head where your feet are’’ is a quote from Mick Byrne I always liked. Stay in the moment and enjoy the rest of tour.
Oh Canada!
Christiaan
Howlers Report from Buenos Aires After Match #2
Canadian Howlers Rugby Club at SIC Rugby Club
Final Score: Howlers 12 – 22 SIC & Casi Combines
Game Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
At 8:00 pm in Buenos Aires, the Canadian Howlers Rugby Club (the “Howlers”) played a combined SIC & Casi U18/U19 side in a cool, windy, and physical match. At half, the Howlers held a tight lead of 7 – 5.
The Club Atlético de San Isidro (“CASI”) was founded in 1902 and became a dominant powerhouse in Argentine rugby, securing 33 titles and establishing a legendary reputation known as “La Academia”. Based in the northern zone of Buenos Aires Province, CASI originally focused on multiple sports before prioritizing rugby and setting early records with consecutive championships through the 1920s and 1930s.
A profound internal crisis in 1935 led to a historic split within CASI. Following a disciplinary conflict involving players during a social gathering, a large faction of first-division players and directors left the institution to officially establish the San Isidro Club (“SIC”) on December 14, 1935. This separation instantly divided the local community and families in San Isidro.
The annual and sometimes multiple fixtures between SIC and CASI evolved into the “El Superclásico” of Argentine rugby, dividing the city with intense sporting passion. Both clubs remain elite competitors in the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires (the “URBA”) tournaments, sharing a fierce, deeply rooted rivalry wrapped in mutual respect and tradition
Hosted at SIC’s beautiful clubhouse (recently host to the South African Springboks), the Howlers again had the opportunity to share a meal, celebrate their match, and provide gifts, donations, and thanks for a rugby match played between not two but three organisations located on opposite sides of the world.
Howlers Point Scorers:
Bhodin – 1T
Grealy – 1C
Thomson – 1T
The Howlers play their next match Friday at 8:30 pm against their gracious tour hosts, Hindu Club, a gigantic multi-sport club offering Rugby, Futbol, Golf, Field Hockey, and Tennis. Make sure to tune-in and watch the action on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/-
The Howler’s Roster for the match:
1. Sam Meikle
2. Grady Curran
3. Junior Atalifo
4. Naithan Hurd
5. Holden Sawatzky
6. Jamie Dent
7. Kyler Good
8. Bohdan Morris (C)
9. Oliver Policelli
10. Liam de Goede
11. Lucas Peddle
12. Nolan Grealy
13. Sydney Webb
14. Declan Anderson
15. Logan Jones
16. Henry Budden
17. Aidan Raino
18. Jack Porter
19. Connor Graham
20. Cohen Huisamen
21. Kalem Balodis
22. Caden du Plessis *
23. Kelan Barron *
24. Luke Thomson
25. Declan Bowman (VC)
26. Desmond Murray
27. Daniel Turvey
28. Will Young
29. Mason Durant *
30. Cameron Seed *
*On Injury Recovery
The Howlers are glad to have shared their love of the game, their appreciation, and their motto – “It’s more than a game, it’s a way of life” – with SIC & Casi.
Awoooo!
Canadian Howlers U18 Team Face San Isidro Today at 4pm PT – Live Stream Link
The Howlers will play San Isidro Club (SIC) today at 4pm PT, 8pm in Buenos Aires, the live stream is linked below. We’ve heard that SIC will be joining with the Club Atlético de San Isidro (CASI) club to field a team, it’s a testament to the Howlers squad that hosts teams are “beefing up” their squads after watching the Howlers play. Apparently they’ll also be adding a few U19 players in key positions. The Howlers roster for the match is also posted below. We’ll update the article post match.
Canadian Howlers U18 Team Battles to Close Loss Against Virreyes Team
The Canadian Howlers, formerly the Dog River Howlers, are touring to Argentina with a U18 team selected from players across Canada. Their itinerary includes matches against Virreyes, San Isidro, and Hindu Rugby Club, all in the Buenos Aires area. They completed their first match against Virreys, a close 17-12 loss.
The Howlers handling let them down at times but at the U18 level, playing your first game on international soil, it’s understandable there would be some “nervous” hands. Hopefully they’ll grow in confidence as the tour continues, it’s great experience for this age group in their progression to U20. A shout out to Karl Fix who organizes these tours and through his extensive contacts helps fund the tours. It’s picking up some of the slack that Rugby Canada hasn’t filled at the U18 level.
The match video and the Howlers write-up are included below. The next match will be against the San Isidro Club.
from Howlers
Final Score: Howlers 12 – 17 Virreyes
Game Video: https://youtube.com/live/t3BpeHCM7Jo
At 3:00 pm in Buenos Aires, the Canadian Howlers Rugby Club (the “Howlers”) played the Virreyes Rugby Club’s (“Virreyes”) 1st team side in a hotly contested, back-and-forth match. While the Howlers ultimately fell short, they held their heads high after playing against such fantastic opponents.
The Virreyes are a well-known club in Argentina, having been founded in 2002, who received the prestigious International Rugby Board (“IRB”) Spirit of Rugby award which honored their club for its extraordinary and selfless contribution to their community through sport.
As is tradition for the Howlers, they joined together with their opponents and members of the Virreyes’ local community to share a meal, celebrate their match, and provide gifts, donations, and thanks for a rugby match played between two organisations located on opposite sides of the world.
Howlers Point Scorers:
Grealy – 1T, 1C
Raino – 1T
The Howlers play their next match at 8:00 pm hosted by the San Isidro Club, one of the most successful and prestigious clubs in Argentina. Make sure to tune-in and watch the action on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/@imc74/streams
The Howler’s Roster for the match:
1. Sam Meikle
2. Grady Curran (C)
3. Jack Porter
4. Holden Sawatzky
5. Bohdan Morris
6. Connor Graham
7. Kyler Good
8. Mason Durant
9. Declan Bowman
10. Daniel Turvey
11. Lucas Peddle
12. Nolan Grealy
13. Sydney Webb
14. Desmond Murray
15. Liam de Goede
16. Henry Budden
17. Aidan Raino
18. Junior Atalifo
19. Naithan Hurd
20. Cohen Huisamen
21. Kalem Balodis
22. Jamie Dent
23. Caden du Plessis
24. Luke Thomson
25. Oliver Policelli
26. Declan Anderson
27. Logan Jones (VC)
28. Will Young
29. Kelan Barron*
30. Cameron Seed*
*On Injury Recovery
The Howlers are glad to have shared their love of the game, their appreciation, and their motto – “It’s more than a game, it’s a way of life” – with the Virreyes.
Awoooo!