CANADA TO HOST THREE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY MATCHES IN JUNE ACROSS THE COUNTRY


Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Submitted by RC Communications
Rugby Canada is pleased to announce that it will play host to three international rugby test matches in the month of June.  The matches, all pitting the Canadian National Senior Men’s team against IRB (International Rugby Board) ranked top 20 opponents, will give Canadian fans from all over the country the opportunity to see exciting live action.

“To have an opportunity to host three high profile teams on our home soil is tremendous for the organization, the team and especially for the fans,” said Graham Brown, CEO of Rugby Canada.  “This is a fantastic opportunity for the fans to be able to come out and support their country, from coast to coast.  These matches will challenge our team to push themselves against these great programs and allow us to showcase how fantastic Canadian rugby is.”

Test Match Information:
CANADA vs. USA
Saturday June 9, 2012
Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ontario
 
CANADA vs. ITALY
Friday June 15, 2012
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

CANADA vs. GEORGIA
Saturday June 23, 2012
Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia
 
Note: Kick-off times & ticket information to be announced shortly.

With the matches taking place in three different cities, fans not only in Toronto, Kingston and Burnaby but also those that reside in neighbouring areas of the GTA, Ottawa, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, the Interior and even US border cities will have the opportunity to make it out to a game.  Looking to keep up the momentum from Canada’s excellent 2011 Rugby World Cup appearance, the Canadian team featured in this series, ranked 13th in the world, will carry many of the same members as that squad.

“We’re excited for the challenge, all three of these games are going to be providing high quality opposition,” said Kieran Crowley, Canadian National Senior Men’s coach.  “It’s an opportunity to grow the game nationally and really build momentum off the Rugby World Cup.”

The series starts in Kingston, Ontario with the much anticipated rematch from last year’s Battle at BMO field, which saw the Canadian team overcome a first half deficit to defeat a hard fighting American squad, currently ranked 17th in the world, 28-22.  Always a terrific rivalry no matter what the context, the Canadians will look to once again top the US on Canadian soil, while competing for the historic Can-Am Trophy.

The match against the 12th ranked Italian squad may prove to be Canada’s toughest challenge of the series.  Coming off a 2011 Rugby World Cup that saw Italy finish with a two wins and two losses record, the Italians will come into 2012 with something to prove.  A huge opportunity for the Canadians to once again play at BMO field, the team is looking forward to playing in front of a packed house and really get the fans behind them as the 16th man.

“It is a great opportunity for rugby in Ontario to have two premier international test matches being played in Toronto and Kingston,” explained Andrew Backer, Executive Director of Rugby Ontario.  “Not only does it allow us to promote the sport and the programs we offer in the sport, but also creates a buzz and excitement.  This gives the opportunity for both the new and returning rugby fan to experience a great brand of international rugby in their own backyard.”

The last match of the series, taking place in Burnaby, British Columbia, will see the Canadian squad take on the 14th ranked Georgian team.   A very competitive match up for the Canadians indeed, as the team from Georgia is coming off a 2011season that saw them place runner up in the IRB Nations Cup.  In 2009, the two teams faced off in what was Georgia’s first ever appearance in the Churchill Cup.  Canada won that match by a score of 42-10, and look to repeat that performance when the two teams meet in Burnaby.

"Rugby fans in British Columbia will be thrilled to have the national team return to the province for an international Test match," said BC Rugby CEO Jeff Sauvé. "This is a great opportunity to support our national squad and to promote the sport here on the West Coast."

For more information regarding the events in Toronto, Kingston or Burnaby, please contact Jennifer Smart, Manager, Events (jsmart@rugbycanada.ca)

For media enquiries, please contact Pat Craven, Coordinator, Corporate Communications (pcraven@rugbycanada.ca)

For commercial opportunities, please contact Nick Taylor, Director, Commercial Operations (ntaylor@rugbycanada.ca)

The Italy test will be the big one, hopefully a decent crowd will turn out for it.

Excellent, I'll look to attend both the Kingston and Toronto matches. I actually kind of like that the Italian test is on the Friday evening! Leaves the rest of a precious summer (well, almost summer) weekend to enjoy.

I just did a search for Richardson stadium, apparently it holds just over ten thousand. It really sounds like rugby Canada is choosing better venues when it hosts tests now.

I just did a search for Richardson stadium, apparently it holds just over ten thousand. It really sounds like rugby Canada is choosing better venues when it hosts tests now.

I am not sure what has happened, but rugby Canada is being run much better of late. It was like being rejected by otp was a wake up call for them.

I think you're right, they seem to have stepped up their game. That said, the Italian test needs to build on the US test at BMO last year - need to start filling the top tier, and both end areas.

well for a lot of U.S. fans it's the closest Eagles test match they'll have this year if they end up holding them all out west again

Canadians playing overseas:

Top tier rugby:

Jamie Cudmore, lock, Clermont

Chauncey O'Toole, flanker, Ospreys

Jebb Sinclair, lock/6/8, London Irish

DTH Van Der Merwe, wing/centre, Glasgow

2nd tier rugby

Bedford Blues

James Pritchard, FB
Mark Kohler, FB/wing

Plymouth Albion

Tyler Hotson, lock
Sean-Michael Stephens, lock/6
Aaron Carpenter, 8

Cornish Pirates

Matt Evans, wing/FB

Esher

Jamie Mackenzie, SH
Phil Mackenzie, wing/centre

Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne

Jason Marshall, prop(3)

Stade montois

Josh Jackson, lock

Well I've heard from two reliable sources now that Gareth Rees is the new Men's Program Manager... so it must be true. He was CEO or COO of Rugby Canada for a couple of years from 2002-2004. There seems to be a pattern here with former national team players being hired, then fired and then hired again. Gareth Rees, John Tait, next someone will be telling me that Morgan Williams is making a comeback. It's a strange, strange world we live in.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Based out of Victoria, British Columbia, the National Men’s Program Manager will support the Head Coaches of each of the National Team Programs (Senior Men 15s & 7s / Centre of Excellence / U20 / U19 and U17) as well as the General Manager – Rugby Operations & Performance. This person will provide leadership and management across all programming as well as ensuring primary administrative duties are supported for the Senior National Team (15s & 7s and Centre of Excellence) coaches, management and players. The National Senior Program consists of management and players involved with CANADA / CANADA “A” and the CANADIAN MAPLE LEAFS.

In response to this thread title "should be ignored at all costs"

Not sure I am following you, the U.S. test is in eastern Canada, unless you are commenting on the rumored return match in the U.S.

Looking forward to that Italy Test.

Hmm.. Is that USA test at Richardson Memorial stadium (11K capacity)? Or at the smaller 6K?

Swangard for Georgia is around 5k.

Yes, it looks like it is at that stadium.

bsmith
Member

Why is Canada playing in Toronto on a Friday? Jays play the Phillies that night at the Rogers Center. If Halliday is pitching there will be a huge walk up crowd which will hurt the Rugby!

Awesome.. Hopefully its a sell out.

And that match against Italy as well.. Is there a big italian community in Canada around BMO CanNZ?

:lol: How very true.. I remember when they won against Tonga.. Not a single thread was started to talk about.

The June Tests SEND TO FACEBOOK
Rugby Canada Announces June Tests: A Look at Possible iRB Ranking Scenarios

posted Feb 1 2012
[ed. comments below]

Rugby Canada announced three June tests for this year and they’re spread across the country. There’s a couple of interesting points that come to mind, one is the potential world ranking changes (Canada currently is ranked 13th) based on results, and the other is the TV broadcasting coverage that the events will receive.

Test Match Information:
CANADA vs. USA
Saturday June 9, 2012
Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ontario

CANADA vs. ITALY
Friday June 15, 2012
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

CANADA vs. GEORGIA
Saturday June 23, 2012
Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia

iRB rankings

Here are the rankings of the four teams involved at the time of writing. Italy's may change based on 6 Nations results.

(12)ITALY - 73.9913
(13)CANADA - 72.9214
(14)GEORGIA - 71.0915
(17)USA - 65.63

The iRB formula for rankings is as follows:

1. Handicap the home team by +3 points, so Canada would have a rating of 75.9214 for these tests.

2. Calculate the rating gap:
- +1.9301 for Canada vs Italy
- +4.8299 for Canada vs Georgia
- +10.2914 for Canada vs USA

3. Use the following graph to predict ranking changes:


So in the Italy game these are the scenarios:

Canada win by 15 points or less - Canada go up approx. 0.8, Italy go down by approx. 0.8
Canada win by more than 15 points - Canada go up approx. 0.8 x 1.5 = 1.2, Italy go down by approx. 1.2
Canada lose by 15 points or less - Canada go down approx. 1.2, Italy go up approx. 1.2
Canada lose by more than 15 points - Canada go down approx 1.2 x 1.5 = 1.8, Italy go up approx. 1.8



In the game versus USA, Canada has nothing to gain in ranking points but everything to lose. Since there is a greater than 10 point differential with home field advantage Canada would get 0 ranking points for a win but could lose 2 points for a loss by 15 points or less, or 3 points for a loss greater than 15.

In the Georgia game Canada are looking at a possible 0.5 increase with a win or .75 with a win greater than 15. They risk falling 1.5 with a loss or 2.25 with a loss greater than 15.

So the ranking places from 12 to 14 are up for grabs this summer. Best case scenario and Canada wins all games by 15 or more sees them rise almost 2 points which would give them a firm hold of 12th spot (11th Samoa at 75.81 are currently out of reach). The worst case scenario could cost them up to 7 points. So a lot on the line for the national men's XV team this summer.

TV Broadcasting

It will be interesting to see if a domestic broadcaster will pick up the games and whether Rugby Canada will pocket any money from the deal. In Tier 1 nations the broadcasting rights are a major source of revenue, one that Rugby Canada hasn't been able to take advantage of yet. The RFU (England) pocketed £31.8m in broadcast rights for the 2010/2011 season while ticket sales brought in £30.0m.

TSN showed the RWC so they may be interested, Sportsnet World (formerly Setanta) show a lot of rugby and are another possibility. Stay tuned, as they say, for further updates.

News

(MSPRING) High octane offences to collide in Premier League round four
 
Published Wednesday, February 1, 2012 5:00 am
by Andrew Smith, BC Rugby Communications

Vancouver, BC: Two of the highest scoring offences in the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League will collide this weekend when the UVic Vikes (1-2) cross the Georgia Straight to square off against Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (3-0).   

Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. February 4th:
Meraloma Rugby Club at Abbotsford RFC (CFV Exhibition) 2:45pm
UBCOB Ravens at Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park) 2:45pm
James Bay AA at Capilano RFC (Klahanie Park) 2:45pm
UVic Vikes at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (Burnaby Lake Sports Complex) 2:45pm

Weekend Preview
With two wins carrying over from the Fall season, Burnaby Lake currently leads the league in scoring, averaging 41 points per game. Burnaby also boasts the division's top scorer in Jeke Gotegote who has seven tries to his credit. When Premier League play resumed this past weekend, Burnaby shocked defending Lower Mainland champions Capilano RFC with a 25-0 defeat. Scrum half Geoff Ryan led the team offensively with two conversions and two penalties. The Blue and White will look to maintain their undefeated record this weekend when they host the UVic Vikes, a youthful team boasting plenty of national-team caliber talent.

Leading the charge for the Vikes will be rookie and Cowichan product Pat Kay. The national team prospect has already proven himself in high pressure situations leading the British Columbia Under-18 provincial team to a national title in August, as well as playing a key role at the Youth Commonwealth Games with Canada's Under-18 7s team this past September. Kay currently sits second in the Premier League scoring charts with 26 points, while the UVic offence ranks third in overall scoring averaging 22 points per game.

"Pat is a very versatile player and can play a number of positions," UVic head coach Doug Tate said heading into Saturday's clash. "He is a young, up-and-coming player and has well developed skills for his age."

The Vikes are currently in a transition phase after losing their front row to graduation and will play short-handed over the next few weeks with Sevens stars Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke away on national team duty.

The last time these two sides met in Premier League play was the 2011 regular season finale when the Vikes managed to escape the Lower Mainland with a narrow 39-38 victory. Burnaby last defeated the Vikes back on April 5th, 2008 when they dealt the students a 25-22 loss at Wallace Field. With Burnaby in top form and the Vikes still blooding young players at the senior club level, Saturday's clash promises to be another exciting spectacle for local fans.

"We are a very young team with a majority of players in their first year of a full premier [level] schedule," added Tate. "I anticipate a tough game as [Burnaby] had an impressive win last week against Caps and it will be our first road game of the season."

Elsewhere in Premier League competition, 2011 Vancouver Island champions James Bay AA (3-0) will head to Klahanie Park to battle Lower Mainland champions Capilano RFC (2-1). Reigning provincial champions Castaway Wanderers (2-1) will play host to Vancouver's UBC Old Boy Ravens (2-1) and winless sides Meraloma Rugby Club (0-3) and Abbotsford RFC (0-3) will scrum down at CFV Exhibition Park.

Recent Scores:
Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. January 28th
Abbotsford RFC 10 - 27(+1) James Bay AA
Castaway Wanderers 28(+1) - 27(+1) Uvic Vikes
Burnaby Lake 25 - 0 Capilano RFC

Premier League Top Scorers:
1. Jeke Gotegote (Burnaby Lake) - 35 pts
2. Pat Kay (UVic Vikes) - 26 pts
3. Matt Yanagiya (Capilano RFC) - 21 pts
4. Nolan Shelley (Burnaby Lake) - 18 pts
T5. Isaac Bainivula (Castaway Wanderers) - 15 pts
T5. Beau Parker (UVic Vikes) - 15 pts
T5. Gordie Sawers (Capilano RFC) - 15 pts
8. Brock Staller (Meraloma) - 13 pts
9. Bryan Tyrer (Meraloma) - 11 pts
T10. Joseph Alexis (UBCOB Ravens - 10 pts
T10. Gareth Bartlett (Abbotsford RFC) - 10 pts
T10. Hugo Belanager (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Darwin Guevara (Abbotsford RFC) - 10 pts
T10. Jonny Morris (Castaway Wanderers) - 10 pts
T10. JT Rowbotham (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Morgan Williams (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Ander Monro (Castaway Wanderers) - 10 pts
T10. Geoff Ryan (Burnaby Lake) - 10 pts

-30-

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This thread if far more informative than the CRU's website.

perhaps they shoul djust link to it.

the test vs Italy is awesome. How did the Canadians manage to score that? If the fans fill up that 11k seater stadium, how much money would that make for Rugby Canada? How about the other matches?

Where in Canada are you? Good to have another Canuck on the bored.

Central Alberta near Red Deer.

u?

PREVIEW OF WELLINGTON SEVENS: SIZING UP THE OPPONENTS


Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Submitted by Patrick McCarry
The Wellington Sevens kicks off later today in New Zealand (Thursday evening across Canada) and the Men’s Sevens teams have their sights set on qualifying from a challenging group.

There may have been exhales of relief when coach Geraint John’s men avoided any of the International Rugby Boards top four ranked teams this season but that is where their luck ran out.

France, Australia and Kenya are the team’s immediate opponents and only the very best from Canada will see them reach the knock-out stages of the cup competition.

The French reached the cup final of the South Africa Sevens and are currently ranked 5th, while Australia sit one place behind them on the table.

Kenya sit at 14th, two places below Canada, but have brought a much more battle-hardened and explosive squad to Wellington.

John said, “The people that think that this group will be easy will have to look closer at this season’s results.  France are the most improved team on the circuit this season. They reached the final in Dubai, are fully professional now and train each day in Paris.”

“Australia are never an easy team to play and have a core set of talented young players that always threaten for the main prize. This is the sixth time that we have drawn them in a pool stage in the last two seasons. We’ve ran them very close on a couple of occasions.”

John added, “We beat Kenya this season in the tournaments in Dubai and South Africa in the current series. They have brought back a couple of their top players for this event and will pose a genuine threat.”

If the Sevens squad can escape, from a highly competitive group, to the cup knock-out stages they will most likely face opposition in the form of England, South Africa, Fiji and the hosts, New Zealand.

John is hoping to see signs of progression and development from his youthful squad as Canada builds towards the pivotal event in the IRB Series – the Hong Kong Sevens in March.

“We are trying to become one of the core teams for the IRB Series well into the future,” said John, “and this tournament, and the Las Vegas Sevens, should put us on the right path towards that.”

The National Men's 7s team is proudly sponsored by Macquarie Financial in association with Trafigura Ltd.

•    To hear a preview on the Wellington Sevens and an interview with Canada’s Conor Trainor, click here

Two of the highest scoring offences in the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League will collide this weekend when the UVic Vikes (1-2) cross the Georgia Straight to square off against Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (3-0).   

Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. February 4th:
Meraloma Rugby Club at Abbotsford RFC (CFV Exhibition) 2:45pm
UBCOB Ravens at Castaway Wanderers RFC (Windsor Park) 2:45pm
James Bay AA at Capilano RFC (Klahanie Park) 2:45pm
UVic Vikes at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (Burnaby Lake Sports Complex) 2:45pm

Weekend Preview
With two wins carrying over from the Fall season, Burnaby Lake currently leads the league in scoring, averaging 41 points per game. Burnaby also boasts the division's top scorer in Jeke Gotegote who has seven tries to his credit. When Premier League play resumed this past weekend, Burnaby shocked defending Lower Mainland champions Capilano RFC with a 25-0 defeat. Scrum half Geoff Ryan led the team offensively with two conversions and two penalties. The Blue and White will look to maintain their undefeated record this weekend when they host the UVic Vikes, a youthful team boasting plenty of national-team caliber talent.

Leading the charge for the Vikes will be rookie and Cowichan product Pat Kay. The national team prospect has already proven himself in high pressure situations leading the British Columbia Under-18 provincial team to a national title in August, as well as playing a key role at the Youth Commonwealth Games with Canada's Under-18 7s team this past September. Kay currently sits second in the Premier League scoring charts with 26 points, while the UVic offence ranks third in overall scoring averaging 22 points per game.

"Pat is a very versatile player and can play a number of positions," UVic head coach Doug Tate said heading into Saturday's clash. "He is a young, up-and-coming player and has well developed skills for his age."

The Vikes are currently in a transition phase after losing their front row to graduation and will play short-handed over the next few weeks with Sevens stars Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke away on national team duty.

The last time these two sides met in Premier League play was the 2011 regular season finale when the Vikes managed to escape the Lower Mainland with a narrow 39-38 victory. Burnaby last defeated the Vikes back on April 5th, 2008 when they dealt the students a 25-22 loss at Wallace Field. With Burnaby in top form and the Vikes still blooding young players at the senior club level, Saturday's clash promises to be another exciting spectacle for local fans.

"We are a very young team with a majority of players in their first year of a full premier [level] schedule," added Tate. "I anticipate a tough game as [Burnaby] had an impressive win last week against Caps and it will be our first road game of the season."

Elsewhere in Premier League competition, 2011 Vancouver Island champions James Bay AA (3-0) will head to Klahanie Park to battle Lower Mainland champions Capilano RFC (2-1). Reigning provincial champions Castaway Wanderers (2-1) will play host to Vancouver's UBC Old Boy Ravens (2-1) and winless sides Meraloma Rugby Club (0-3) and Abbotsford RFC (0-3) will scrum down at CFV Exhibition Park.

Recent Scores:
Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. January 28th
Abbotsford RFC 10 - 27(+1) James Bay AA
Castaway Wanderers 28(+1) - 27(+1) Uvic Vikes
Burnaby Lake 25 - 0 Capilano RFC

Premier League Top Scorers:
1. Jeke Gotegote (Burnaby Lake) - 35 pts
2. Pat Kay (UVic Vikes) - 26 pts
3. Matt Yanagiya (Capilano RFC) - 21 pts
4. Nolan Shelley (Burnaby Lake) - 18 pts
T5. Isaac Bainivula (Castaway Wanderers) - 15 pts
T5. Beau Parker (UVic Vikes) - 15 pts
T5. Gordie Sawers (Capilano RFC) - 15 pts
8. Brock Staller (Meraloma) - 13 pts
9. Bryan Tyrer (Meraloma) - 11 pts
T10. Joseph Alexis (UBCOB Ravens - 10 pts
T10. Gareth Bartlett (Abbotsford RFC) - 10 pts
T10. Hugo Belanager (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Darwin Guevara (Abbotsford RFC) - 10 pts
T10. Jonny Morris (Castaway Wanderers) - 10 pts
T10. JT Rowbotham (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Morgan Williams (James Bay) - 10 pts
T10. Ander Monro (Castaway Wanderers) - 10 pts
T10. Geoff Ryan (Burnaby Lake) - 10 pts
 

I missed the Canadian games but apparently we've been doing well. Wins over France and Kenya, and lost to Australia by only 2 points to top the pool and head into the cup quarters. Hopefully someone will upload the games to AcrossTheTasman.

Canadians playing overseas:

Top tier rugby:

Jamie Cudmore, lock, Clermont

Chauncey O'Toole, flanker, Ospreys

Jebb Sinclair, lock/6/8, London Irish

DTH Van Der Merwe, wing/centre, Glasgow

2nd tier rugby

Bedford Blues

James Pritchard, FB
Mark Kohler, FB/wing

Plymouth Albion

Tyler Hotson, lock
Sean-Michael Stephens, lock/6
Aaron Carpenter, 8

Cornish Pirates

Matt Evans, wing/FB

Esher

Jamie Mackenzie, SH
Phil Mackenzie, wing/centre

Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne

Jason Marshall, prop(3)

Stade montois

Josh Jackson, lock

Academy sides

Clermont Academy

Cam Pierce, lock
Conor McCann, 1st5

Looks like Evan Olmstead did not make the Waratahs wider training squad.