A Review of the 3rd Quarter of 2023, July to September. The World Cup Kicks Off in September as does the BC Rugby Season.
Vancouver Island sweeps U16 and U18 PRCs. Canada women go 2-1 at Pacific Four, men lose two in Tonga. New England Free Jacks crowned MLR champions for 2023. Thunder Indigenous Rugby tour to NZ. The Olympic qualifier takes place in Langford, women qualify, the men move to repechage.
July
The Pacific Four women’s XVs tournament in Ottawa continued with Canada falling to NZ but defeating Australia. The New England Free Jacks were crowned MLR champions for 2023. At the PRCs Vancouver Island won the U16 and U18 titles for both boys and girls. The Canada U20 women lost to Wales and USA but the U23 women defeated USA. The Canada men’s U18 team finished 3rd in the tournament in the Netherlands.
Canada Fall to NZ 52-21 in Pacific Four Action
New England Free Jacks Win 2023 MLR Title – Follow the Manawatu Connection as NPC Season Approaches
Canada U20 Women Fall to Wales 39-12 – USA Finish 2-0, Wales 1-1, Canada 0-2
Canadian Women Defeat Australia 45-7 to Finish Second in Pacific Four Series
Canada Defeat Belgium 22-17 to Finish 3rd at Corendon U18 Tournament
Canada Women’s U23 Win Second Match Against USA 55-14
August
Thunder toured to NZ, the Olympic qualifier took place in Langford, the women qualified, the men didn’t. UBC and coach Curry Hitchborn parted ways and the Canadian rugby community was saddened to hear of the passing of Toronto Arrows founder, Bill Webb. The Canada men’s XVs toured to Tonga for 2 matches. Spain were the surprise winners of the U20 JWRT and got promoted to the Tier 1 JWC in 2024, Scotland were expected to win the competition as a Tier 1 nation. The Atlantic Rock won the men’s U19 title, Quebec won the women’s U19 title. We also looked at the Pacific Pride roster for the upcoming season in September.
JWRT: Spain Promoted to Tier 1 U20 Championship; Scotland Finish 3rd; USA 7th
Tonga Tour: Canada Lose Second Test by Score of 36-12: On Aggregate 64-15
Thunder Tour Updates: First Matches in the Books; Story in NZ Media
Canada Women Qualify for Olympics; Men Take the Repechage Path
UBC and Head Coach Curry Hitchborn Part Ways
Thunder Tour to NZ Wraps Up – A Reflection on the 14 Day Tour with Highlights
Toronto Arrows Mourn Passing of Founder and President Bill Webb
A Look at the Pacific Pride Roster for the Fall 2023 Season: First Match Saturday vs UBC
Atlantic Rock Win Men’s Title at the 2023 Canadian U19 Rugby Championships, BC 3rd
September
September was the start of rugby season in BC and coincidentally the World Cup in France. The BC Rugby leagues kicked off, as well as the Coastal Cup and the Dunbar Keg U20 competition. UBC attended the World University Invitational in France and the Canada women’s XVs were in England for two matches.
BC Rugby Kicks Off This Weekend Across All Divisions with 40+ Matches
RWC 2023: France v NZ Lineups and Stats
Dunbar Keg: Regional U20 Competition Kicks Off on Saturday: Rosters Listed
World University Invitational: UBC Score Updates and Match Videos
Vancouver Wave Win Dunbar Keg U20 Title, UVic Defeat TWU in Coastal Cup Clash
Rouet Names Roster for 2nd Match Against England – Scurfield Earns First XVs Cap