Canada U20 - 2012 SEND TO FACEBOOK


Canada Lose First Match vs USA at Shawnigan 27-22

posted May 24 2012
[ed. comments below, Rugby Canada report is here. American report is here.]

Canada have now gone 0-3 in their build up to the JWRT, not a good sign. There were positives and negatives to today’s performance. The Canadian scrum was dominant but they could have leveraged that a lot better, it was so dominant that it seems almost incomprehensible that the Americans could get a victory out of this. Part of the problem may have been the forwards have never been in such a dominant position and were too impatient to press the advantage, part of it was the referee who refused to blow up the back pedalling American scrum even when the loose forwards were no longer bound and the scrum had splintered. Canada should really have won this game comfortably, the fact they didn’t is worrying.

The best player on the field was an American, the USA #12 was dominant scoring 3 tries. Remember the name Kingsley McGowan, he’s likely to be a thorn in the collective Canadian side for years to come. Having such a dominant scrum it’s difficult to pinpoint where it went wrong for Canada. These are the notes I took during the game:

- Lack of pressure, both in terms of pressure on their 9-10, pressure on their backline and pressure through tactical kicking and field position. The Canadian game was very naive in that respect.
- Weak at the breakdown, a lot of ball was lost in contact and at the breakdown. Poor body position at the ruck, support not being there, balls being stripped in contact.
- Handling errors and selfish play – there were more than a few bloopers with passes not going to hand, and a shocking 3 on 1 where the ball carrier decided to keep the ball with two players not marked outside of him.
- Missed tackles and drift defence not being effective, if a runner stepped back inside to beat the Canadian defender more than often there was no one covering from the inside.

The Americans seemed more cohesive as a team, the Canadians looked more intent on standing out and making the cut. It will be interesting to see how the infusion of certain key players on Saturday, particularly Pat Kay, will boost the Canadian performance. Jon West, as he did against the Rock, looked to be one of the standout Canadian players. The tight five deserve kudos for their dismantling of the American scrum.

Here is the story in video:

A good example of Canada's dominance in the scrum, they drive the Americans off their own ball and turn it into points with #8 Tua Va'a touching down. It was looking good at this point in the first half.

Again in the first half the lineout and driving maul were looking good. Half ended with Canada ahead 15-8.

Even though the scrum ruled, handling errors crept into the backline.

2nd half and Canada continues to dominate in the scrums. This one looked like it would be walked in as the American scrum falls apart. No call from the ref and Canada gets a little impatient. Likely they're not used to going forward that fast.

Canada left a lot of potential points on the field. Here is a 2 man overlap but the player with the ball decides to keep it. There seems a lack of communication and trust amongst the backs with some of the top players "trying to do it all".

Final example that may typify the afternoon. A solid scrum leads to good play from #8 to #9 to #15 and so forth with valuable ground gained. Then a very messy ruck negates the advantage, poor body position allows defenders to destabilize the ruck and the referee is not being very strict on "coming through the gate".

REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO RUGBY'S DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, May 24, 2012 - Submitted by RC Communications

Rugby Canada going from strength to strength
Participation on the rise
Road to Rio 2016 underway

Canada is perfectly positioned to reap the benefits of rugby 7s inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games thanks to the strong partnership between the Canadian Olympic Committee, Sport Canada, Own the Podium and Rugby Canada.

With a little over four years to go until the finest men's and women's rugby 7s athletes compete on the world's greatest sporting stage, the
foundations are firmly in place to deliver competitive teams for the qualification process and ensure that rugby continues its strong growth across Canada.

Rugby is booming in Canada. There are now in excess of 80,000 athletes, spanning from youth to adult, playing the sport across the country and with Olympic inclusion inspiring a new generation of athletes, Canada's men's and women's 7s and 15s programs continue to impress on the world stage.

The Canadian Men's 15s team enjoyed a solid Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign, defeating Tonga and pushing France close. The Men's 7s team now has coveted core status on the prestigious HSBC Sevens World Series, while the Women's 7s team is ranked amongst the best in the world, winning the inaugural IRB Women's Challenge Cup event in Dubai last November.

"We are delighted with and committed to our partnership with Rugby Canada. Rugby is a dynamic and inclusive team sport that embodies the Olympic values of respect, team work and fair play," said CEO of Own the Podium Anne Merklinger, speaking at a special Canadian Olympic Committee event at Sport Accord in Quebec. "We are working in collaboration with all stakeholders to jointly foster the game and ensure that our teams are in the best-possible position to qualify for and be highly-competitive on the world's greatest sporting stage."

"These are exciting times for rugby in Canada. We have more than 80,000 men, women and children actively participating in the game and interest and profile is certainly on a high," said Pat Aldous, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Rugby Canada. "Olympic inclusion has boosted interest, profile and participation in both 7s and 15s. Our men's and women's teams continue to do Canada proud on the world stage and we are very excited about rugby 7s Olympic Games debut in 2016."

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said that Olympic inclusion is benefitting national federations around the world.

"We are already seeing the enormous benefit of Olympic Games inclusion for our national federations and I am delighted that there is such a strong bond between Rugby Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee to foster the game in Canada and deliver strong national teams in 7s and 15s."

And in Toronto high school rugby news, Zippyette #1 lost in the city semi final 15-12 despite scoring a try and converting another. Both conversions were from the sidelines. She hit the upright on the conversion after her try.
She is questioning the sanity of the coaches who chose not to kick a couple of 25M penalties (they have never coached a team with someone that could kick and so did not even comsider the option.

And in Toronto high school rugby news, Zippyette #1 lost in the city semi final 15-12 despite scoring a try and converting another. Both conversions were from the sidelines. She hit the upright on the conversion after her try.
She is questioning the sanity of the coaches who chose not to kick a couple of 25M penalties (they have never coached a team with someone that could kick and so did not even comsider the option.

ILNICKI GETS U20 CANADA EXPERIENCE FEATURED
Tuesday, 08 May 2012 Written by  Lindsay Harrington font size Print Email



Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - Submitted by Greg Sabatino, Redistributed from the Williams Lake Tribune

Williams Lake rugby player Jake Ilnicki hopes to continue to climb the Rugby Canada ladder.
Currently in his second full season of play at the University of Victoria as a member of the Vikings, the six-foot-one, 20-year-old prop was recently picked to play for the Canadian national team’s under-20 squad.

Last summer Ilnicki was in New Zealand playing for the College Rifles Rugby Football Club premiere team.

“The team I was playing for over there, the College Rifles, we went undefeated all season,” Ilnicki said of the experience playing overseas, noting the team won the Auckland city championship.
“It was a lot of fun, and I made some good buddies and had just a great time.”

Ilnicki said the opportunity to play for Canada’s under 20 team came up, possibly, as a result of his play in New Zealand for the College Rifles.

“I guess the coaches caught wind of me and another Canadian that were over there and found out where we were playing there,” he said.

“It just shows a lot after we come back from a great season over there and just went through everything and were picked from that.”

Early March Canada took on Romania in Langford, B.C. for a two-game series — the team’s first real competition since beginning to play together.

They lost two to Romania — the first game by six points and the second, a 23-6 defeat.
“It was really tough,” Ilnicki said of the matches.

“There have been about 15 of us training out in Langford since January and for those two games they flew in nine other players and we all had to try to mesh together in a couple of days.
“It might have been a good thing because we’ve been working really hard since those games.”
Coming up May 26 Canada’s U20 team takes on the U.S., followed by another match June 9 against Georgia.

“That one [against the U.S.] will be a big one,” Ilnicki said.
“After that, on June 18, we head down to Salt Lake City, Utah for the World Trophy Tournament.”
There, Canada will meet Zimbabwe, Japan and Georgia in its pool.
Following that, if they place high enough, Canada could have a shot at the Junior World Cup of Ruby.
“That’s where we’d play all the top nations, which would definitely be very cool. This year it’s in South Africa, and then next year it’s going to be in France.”

Currently Ilnicki is finishing a year of school at UVIC with hopes of being accepted into the physical education program. Following that, he plans to travel once again to play rugby.
“Hopefully I can just keep improving and hopefully an opportunity might arise overseas again,” he said.
“My plans right now are to travel to South Africa and go play rugby there.
“I have a few connections and I think we might go over there next year if nothing else comes up because there is some really good rugby over there.”

Last modified on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 19:48

THE RUGBY CANADA PRO REPORT

Friday, May 25, 2012 - Submitted by Jeff Hull

Summer rugby is nearly in full-swing and still the storylines continue to pour in regarding Canada's stars overseas. With only weeks until the first of Canada's summer internationals, some of this country's professionals are back training with the national team, in Langford, B.C., while still others remain locked in the struggle for silverware in England and France. We bring you playoff news, contract updates and all the latest on the overseas scene, right here, with The Rugby Canada Pro Report.


French Rugby:

Leading the pack among Canada's remaining overseas pros is A.S.M. Clermont-Auvergne's Jamie Cudmore. The Squamish, B.C., native has once again helped to drive his team into the France's Top 14 playoff hunt. Clermont, by virtue of their second place finish in the league table, are enjoying a by-week; as the clubs ranked third through sixth fight it out for the honor of taking the remaining two semi-final positions. Although hampered by injury at times, Cudmore has maintained his presence in Clermont's vaunted forward pack. They will need all of his ferocity and more, if they are reclaim the Top 14 mantle from their arch rivals, Toulouse, who are also enjoying a week of rest.

While young Ontario fly-half and Clermont Academy product, Conor McCann, is back to lend his skills to the Canada U20 program, in pursuit of the IRB World Junior Trophy, fellow Academy star Cam Pierce was recently able to celebrate a trophy win of his own. Clermont's U23 Academy, otherwise known as "Les Espoirs" won their second consecutive French Championship earlier this month. The experience both Pierce and McCann have gained with such an elite program is sure to stand them in good stead in the years to come.

Elsewhere in France, British Columbia lock Josh Jackson and his Stade Montois club have advanced to the Grand Final of France's Pro Deux. With Jackson on the bench, Stade Monois defeated Dax last weekend, to earn the privilege of playing Pau for the division championship, this coming Sunday.

Canadian World Cup tight-head Jason Marshall, is being rested by Canada this summer, following bicep surgery, will look to make a big impact in his first full season with Aurillac, come August.

English Rugby:

With the exit of the D.T.H. Van der Merwe and the Glasgow Warriors from the RaboDirect Pro 12 playoffs, Matt Evans remains the only Canadian international still in competition in the British Isles. Fellow RFU Championship star and Bedford fullback, James Pritchard, saw his club make a heartbreaking exit in the semi-finals, leaving Evans and his Cornish Pirates to take on London Welsh in the RFU Championship's Grand Final.

It is one of the quirks of this year's Championship campaign that neither London Welsh, nor the Cornish Pirates, meet the prerequisites for promotion into the Aviva Premiership; much to the relief of the Newcastle Falcons. Even so, the London Exiles took the first leg of the two-stage Grand Final last weekend, by a score of 37 - 21. Evans, who has just signed a new two-year deal in Cornwall, knows that he and his Pirates have a huge mountain to climb this weekend. If they are to claim the Championship title, they must beat London Welsh on their home ground in the British capital by no less than sixteen points.

Although Captain James Pritchard and his Bedford Blues could not find their way into the Championship's Grand Final this season, he can content himself with having earned a new two-year contract extension, that will see him have other opportunities to guide his club through to promotion. Joining him next year on that quest will be Mark Kohler, who has just received a contract extension of his own. Bedford have lost a few key members of their backline at season's end, so Kohler is sure to increase his playing time in the next campaign for the Blues.

At Plymouth Albion they are saying goodbye to one of their trio of Canadian forwards. Captain Sean-Michael Stephen (Players & Supporters M.V.P.) and Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Herald M.V.P.) are both returning for the 2012/13 campaign. Lock forward Tyler Hotson has moved on, after three years at the club, and is currently scouting new opportunities abroad.

Adam Kleeberger is also among the ranks of Canada's overseas pros who are leaving their clubs. After joining London Scottish mid-season, Kleeberger played well enough to earn a "Player of the Year" nomination. Kleeberger is taking the summer off from competition with Canada to rest and recover. He remains one of Canada's most experienced and well-known exports.

Finally, with the demotion of Esher RFC from the RFU Championship, Phil and Jamie Mackenzie have left the club to pursue other opportunities; but there are positives to be mentioned here as well. Phil Mackenzie leaves the club having been named "Player's Player of the Year" and "Supporters' Player of the Year" for the 2011/12 season. He was also among the league leaders in try-scoring.

Jamie Mackenzie started numerous games for Esher at scrum-half and scored some cracking tries of his own. That experience will serve him well in the contest for the Canadian number #9 jersey, which is sure to heat-up in the years to come.

Esher's Director of Rugby and former Canadian international, Mike Schmid has been named the club's first ever Chief Executive Officer, going forward. He shared the following comments on his promotion.

"I am very excited by this new opportunity. Whilst disappointed, like everyone else, at our relegation to National One, we have the chance to renew ourselves and change for the better. You need look no further than Harlequins and Northampton who embraced their new situation when relegated and thereby created a stable platform from which to deliver on their ambitions. We will have the same attitude. As the club’s CEO, I look forward to the many challenges ahead, to help Esher maintain its position as one of England's Premier Community clubs, as well to realise our potential in the top echelons of rugby clubs in this country."

We wish Mike good luck on moving Esher forward.

From Ray Barkwill's sensational tour of South America with the Ontario Blues to Jebb Sinclair's continuing starting role with the Stormers in Super Rugby, the great stories in Canadian overseas rugby are everywhere these days.

As the European season winds down, we will always be here to keep you in the loop, with The Rugby Canada Pro Report.

About the CRC, apparently Quebec wants to breakaway from the Rock and join some Eastern Ontario clubs to form a side to play in the CRC starting next season.

Is that the Voyageurs? I heard there's been a youth side for a bit, and that they wanted to add a men's team ... if I'm not mistaken. Eastern Ontario, I think, had a team in the old Super League. ... have to say, though, that the men's rugby here is kinda weak. There's a couple of kids from the Blues in the U17 squad, but iirc, they're big lugs. I've reffed a few games here and there's very little skill / game sense. There are some great athletes with lots of potential, but they need better coaching as a lot of what you'd see are football players who play rugby.

Mark made a good impression when it was most needed; in the semi's. That may well have made a difference, as there might have been some that didn't step up. Couldn't comment!

Either way, he's a welcome addition to the squad for next year, and the changes could well mean that he'll get better opportunities next season.

Out of curiousity, what do you think will be his best position?

As always, I agree with you about the coaching, but an expanded CRC would be a great step forward IMO.

Canada U20 - 2012 SEND TO FACEBOOK


Roster Announced for Saturday Evening Match Vs USA
posted May 25 2012

Time for the U20 program to step up and win this game, come out to support the boys at 7pm on Saturday at Bear Mountain Stadium. I'm predicting a win by 8 in this contest.

Some interesting selections, first those who are missing. Taylor Paris, hopefully he'll be back from injury before the tournament starts in Salt Lake City in June. Jon West who was outstanding in his last two games, hopefully they're just resting him for the big show. Also Tua Va'a who scored the first try for Canada on Wednesday from #8, hopefully he's booked his place in the final selection.

Conor McCann at #10 is a new twist, not a bad move to see if arguably the player with most potential on this side can slot into the most influential role. He has the passing, running and defence, does he have the tactical kicking and decision making... we'll find out Saturday. Pat Kay is moved back to #15, he has the kicking skills which is crucial for this position. Glad to see Clayton Meeres at #12, Mike Fuilefau is a beast with the ball but his distribution skills are wanting.

The tight 5 who owned the USA on Wednesday are changed out with only Jake Ilnicki keeping his spot. They'll have to play to a high standard to match Wednesday's performance where the Canada scrum looked fantastic. The loose forwards are all new, and these positions are open, I don't think anyone has really been dominant at the breakdown yet.

In Wednesday's game, Canada owned the scrums, were OK in the lineouts, but were wanting at the breakdown and in the backline play. Interesting to see what unfolds on Saturday evening.

1. Noah Barker - Vancouver Rowers ( Courtenay, B.C)
2. Casey Reed -Moosejaw Nads (Airdrie, AB)
3. Jake Ilnicki (c) - Uvic Vikes/ Williams Lake Rustlers (Williams Lake, BC)
4. Jacob Rumball - Balmy Beach Rugby Club (Toronto ON)
5. Andrew McGinn – JBAA (Victoria, BC)
6. Matthew Heaton - St-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC (Godmanchester, QC)
7. Chase Kelliher - Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
8. Cam Stones – Ajax Wanderers (Witby, ON)

9. Andrew Ferguson - Oakville Crusaders (Mississauga ON)
10. Conor McCann – Balmy Beach RFC (Toronto, ON)
11. Josh Hart - Cowichan RFC (Minitonas, MB)
12. Clayton Meeres - Abbotsford RFU (Chilliwack BC)
13. Michael Fuilefau (UVIC Vikes) (Victoria, BC)
14. Lucas Hammond – Toronto Nomads (Toronto, ON)
15. Patrick Kay (UVIC Vikes) (Duncan, BC)

16. Eric Selvaggi - Aurora Barbarians (Woodbridge, ON)
17. Alex Marshall -Vandals RFC/The Rock (St. John's, NL)
18. Ryan Monahan (Baymen Rugby Club, The Rock) (CBS, NL
19. Fuku Vikilani - Burnaby Lake Club (Vancouver, BC)
20. Mike Dalsin – Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)
21. Doug Crowe – Rowing Club (Courtenay, BC)
22. Caleb Hanson – Rowing Club (Courtenay, BC)

As always, I agree with you about the coaching, but an expanded CRC would be a great step forward IMO.

If they could organise a 6th team then the CRC could begin to resemble a reasonably intensive national league in Canada. Home and away, with a final perhaps.

Just bought 8 tickets to the Canada v Italy game at BMO in Toronto on June 15. Good deal on a (2x)4-pack deal. Total cost: $171.25. One of the advantages of being a minority sport in North America.

MARK KOHLER RE-SIGNS WITH BEDFORD BLUES

Saturday, May 26, 2012 - Submitted by Jeff Hull

Bedford Blues winger Mark Kohler, who toured with the Canada U20 squad, has signed a contract extension for the 2012/13 R.F.U. Championship season.

Kohler, who has been working his way into a fiercely contested Bedford backline, was hampered a little in his efforts by injuries late in the 2011/12 campaign, but returned for a late season performance against the Cornish Pirates that helped seal his place in next year's squad.

Bedford are one of the top perennial contenders in English rugby's second-tier and therefore one of the top-twenty clubs in England, on any given weekend. He was discovered at a local third division club called Luton RFC, by a fellow Canada and Bedford flyer, in the form of the club's Captain James Pritchard.

The Blues have had a number of their first choice backs depart to other clubs this off-season, and so Kohler is targeting a strong pre-season in July and August, in order to secure himself a starting place on a club known for its exciting brand of running rugby. When The Pro Report contacted him for comment on his new signing, Kohler had these words regarding the opportunity:

"I am thoroughly delighted with my contract extension for the 2012/2013 season at Bedford. I've really enjoyed my footy this season even though I've spent some time on the sidelines with injuries; although next season I hope to be fit and ready for all games.

Next year is shaping up to be a tough one. We have Jersey RFC coming up (from Division One) who are looking sharp and Bristol and some other big names will really be pushing for promotion, as they were unsuccessful this season. We start the pre-season very soon and have two tough pre-season games against Saracens and Cardiff (of the Welsh Premiership). So far we have signed a few new players along the way, with the majority of the 2011/2012 squad staying intact. If our preparations are tip-top in the off-season, we should be able to press on hard for the 2012/2013 campaign and finish as well as we have this year."

Although he has not yet won a call from the Canada selectors, Kohler is confident and patient as he goes about building his career both on and off the rugby pitch.

"My plate is pretty full at the moment, as I will be finishing off my masters degree in the next few months, and am focusing a great deal on making a good start to the pre-season with Bedford; however, if an opening with Canada came about after that, I would obviously be very pleased to be involved."

With Canada entering no less than ten tournaments next year on the IRB Sevens circuit and with the XV's team at the beginning of a long four-year development cycle, in advance of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it is nice to know there are talents like Mark Kohler waiting in the wings. In the meantime, the young man can stay confident in the knowledge that he may very well have a chance to help his team earn promotion into England's Aviva Premiership, come next season.

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Jeff Hull is a freelance writer for Rugby Canada. His Rugby Canada Pro Report can be found regularly on this website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and in the Blogosphere.

To contact the author, write to: jhull@rugbycanada.ca

One rumour is that they will split B.C. into an Island team and a mainland team. Personally I would like to see the Prairie Wolfpack split into an Albertan team and a Sask/Manitoba team.

Working Class Rugger - I cannot see this happening; it makes too much sense, but there is not enough cents for it. Rugby Canada is more interested in losing $1.5 mill a year on the NSMT, and its 5-6 games a year, than on a provincial championship which could possibly lead to increase player interest, customer interest and media interest in the sport. There is not another 'force' outside of RC which could drive a proposed league forward. British Columbia has it in the bag under the current system, and this system is built by RC.

Personally, I think the NSMT has way too much influence on the Rugby Canada mindset. I would bring it down a couple of notches. We might have to take a step or two back internationally to make forward strides domestically. I would support such a plan.

Isn't the BC Prems from Jan-May anyway? Wouldn't that just be a great build-up for them into this league? Their top players could be rested in the fall Island / Mainland seasons to develop the next crop.

STEPHEN COLLECTS AWARD DOUBLE AT ALBION

Monday, May 28, 2012 - Submitted by Jeff Hull

In professional rugby circles individual accolades are usually ranked beneath team accomplishments, but when one's rugby team stumbles, being named your club's most valuable player isn't bad as a consolation.

Such was the case with Oakville Crusaders product and Canadian international Sean-Michael Stephen.  Stephen, who has now been at Plymouth Albion for five straight seasons, Captained his side through a difficult campaign in the R.F.U. Championship; one in which the club saw three different coaching changes take place in the span of a few months. Despite all of the challenges Stephen has continued to focus on his development as a player and leader. He has positive feelings about the 2011/12 campaign, and high hopes for his rugby future.

"Ending the season on a high was a big reward to the team for all the hard work we had put in, especially leading up to the playoffs. The season had its difficulties, mainly due to the disruption of two coaching changes during the year but we responded really well in the relegation playoffs and put in our best performances of the year when it mattered most.

It was tough at times to be the Captain because of the coaching changes and trying to work through that but thankfully there were plenty of other leaders on the team and good character throughout that kept the team together."

Stephen is thankful to have enjoyed the presence of fellow canucks Aaron Carpenter and Tyler Hotson over the past few years and, as it turns out, he has ended up sharing the title of Plymouth's most valuable player with Carpenter, whom he often plays beside in the Albion back-row.  Stephen was named "Player of the Year" at Albion, as voted by both the management and the fans, while Carpenter was the choice of Plymouth's paper of record, The Herald.

"It's been nice to have two other Canadians on the team not only because they bring a high standard of play and professionalism but having people from your home around is nice too. 

I was very grateful to receive the two player of the year awards. It had been a difficult season and it was nice to receive some recognition from the fans and the coaches. 

As for my future ambitions with rugby they have not really changed. I am trying to make the most out of how ever many years left I have playing at this level. I still have a strong desire to play for Canada and hopefully I get the opportunity to do so again."

Stephen remains one of this country's most accomplished overseas pros, and in 2012/13 he will look to lead his club to the berth in the promotional playoffs they have been seeking for some time.

------------------------------------------------

Jeff Hull is a freelance writer for Rugby Canada. His Rugby Canada Pro Report can be read regularly on this website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and in the Blogosphere.

To contact the author, write to: jhull@rugbycanada.ca 

Two for SMS. Any idea why he is out of favour with the selectors?

We have better back row options, but he's been playing a lot of second row this season and I think we could have used them there for the short term, even if only as cover off the bench. Crowley has been pretty good with his selections so far though, so hopefully both Phelan and Beukeboom will repay the faith he seems to have in them.

Overall, I have been pleased with the job Crowley has done, and I agree he would be a short term fix, but I would like to see him get rewarded at some point too. He seems to be playing well in England.

UNDERWOOD TO SUIT UP FOR CANADA

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - Submitted by Redistributed from Queens Journal
Queen’s is set to host a major international rugby competition next month. Team Canada and Team U.S.A. will face off in a men’s rugby test match at Richardson Stadium on June 9.

Gaels veteran Liam Underwood will dress for Team Canada. It’s an honour he’s earned after a steady progression up Canada’s rugby ladder.

“The Coach has seen me play from past tournaments, so we’re familiar,” Underwood said.

Part of Canada’s under-20 team in 2010 and 2011, Underwood’s jump to the senior roster partly came out of the blue. The opportunity arose after Team Canada’s Connor Braid sustained an injury while playing for his club in B.C. Underwood plays the same two positions as Braid — fly half and fullback.

“I didn’t really see it coming,” Underwood said, adding that he’s never played in front of thousands of fans before, despite previous international rugby experience.

Head coach of the Gaels men’s rugby team Peter Huigenbos is also video analyst for the Canadian men’s team.

“It’s a pleasure to work with Liam,” Huigenbos said. “I’ll actually be spending much more time with Liam; it’s a 24/7 commitment, and he’s ready for it.”

Huigenbos has coached Underwood since 2010, the year the Gaels won the OUA championship.

“He was 18 years old, setting up three of our four tries to win the OUA,” Huigenbos said. “He’s a quiet leader … who understands the game on another level.”

The game at Richardson Stadium is a ten-minute walk from where Underwood plays each fall in a Queen’s uniform. Huigenbos said the local organizational committee deserves much credit.

“The community’s support for this game has been phenomenal.” he said.

On June 9, there will be more than just national pride at stake. Canada is ranked 13th in the world, while the U.S.A. is ranked 17th. Only the top 12 teams from the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand are automatic qualifiers for 2015. Huigenbos said these test matches affect those international rankings.

“For [World Cup] 2015, unfortunately we still need to qualify. Despite beating Tonga [in New Zealand], they still finished ahead of us in our pool, claiming automatic qualification for the next world cup.”

One of Kingston’s most decorated rugby figures helped make the game happen.

John Phelan, an associate professor at Queen’s School of Business, is a former captain of Canada’s national rugby team. He’s also chair of the 15-person Local Organizing Committee that capitalized on a bid to bring the test match to Kingston. Consisting mainly of local business people, it was the same committee that brought the Barclay’s Churchill Cup pool games to Kingston in 2008.

“Teams have always liked playing here,” Phelan said. “We did a good job in 2008 hosting Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, U.S.A. and Argentina, and if we do it well this time, they’ll come back again.”

While Rugby Canada continues to use Richardson as a venue for international rugby competitions, the sport is also thriving in Kingston. Phelan said rugby is evolving more into the forefront of Kingston sports culture.

“KEDCO and Kingston tourism are some of the businesses behind us,” he said. “And Kingston truly is a rugby community.”

Phelan works with the Kingston Panthers rugby organization at the youth levels creating introductory programs for children as young as six years old.

“One of my older mentors once told me ‘you owe the game,’ and I agree because it’s given me that much in my life.”

1. Buydens
2. Hamilton
3. Tiedemann
4. Hotson
5. Sinclair
6. Dala
7. O'Toole
8. Carpenter

9. White
10. Evans
11. P. Mackenzie
12. Trainor
13. DTH
14. Duke
15. Pritchard

16. Pletch
17. Woolridge
18. Phelan
19. Ardron
20. J. Mackenzie
21. Underwood
22. Hearn

MPs, MEDIA TO PLAY RUGBY ON HILL JUNE 4TH

Monday, May 28, 2012 - Submitted by Redistributed from Hill Times

Rugby Canada announced the MP roster for its June 4 game on Parliament Hill recently, and it includes House Speaker Andrew Scheer.

Mr. Scheer played high school rugby and will play with eight other semi-experienced MP rugby players. Liberal MP Massimo Pacetti, who previously played for Quebec and the Montreal Irish rugby teams, will be playing in the game against Canada’s National Senior Men’s Rugby team on Parliament’s front lawn. “For me, sports has always been and continues to be an important part of my life,” Mr. Pacetti told Rugby Canada. “I look forward to being a part of ‘the Game on the Hill’ to show the country that rugby is still king.”

The National Senior Men’s Rugby team will be in town for some training sessions before playing some test matches internationally against the United States, Italy, and Georgia, in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The test matches will be held across Canada, starting in Kingston, Ont., on June 9.

Other MPs taking part in the Hill game are Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, who coached Trinity Western University’s varsity rugby team; NDP MPs Matthew Dubé, Paul Dewar, Glenn Thibeault, and Peter Stoffer; Liberal MP Justin Trudeau; and Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, an avid rugby fan and player, who broke his arm in one of the last matches he played on Parliament’s front lawn, will not be in the scrums this time around as he will be out of the country. Tim Powers, vice-president of Summa Strategies who was recently elected to the board of Rugby Canada, told HOH last week that Mr. MacKay’s staff has “been very helpful to Rugby Canada in pulling this event together.”

Journalists who have already agreed to participate include CTV’s Kevin Newman, CTV Ottawa’s Terry Marcotte, Sun News’ David Akin, the National Post’s John Ivison, CBC’s Evan Solomon, The Globe and Mail’s Shawn McCarthy and Sean Gordon, CPAC’s Peter Van Dusen and La Presse’s Joel-Denis Bellavance. Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen sports columnist and a former rugby player, will also be in the lineup.

Members of the national team who will be playing in the game include Nanyak Dala and Ciarian Hearn, who both were members of the Canadian rugby team that won gold at the 2011 PanAm Games. Chauncey O’Toole, who was described as one of the best amateur players in the world in 2011, will also be there. “These guys aren’t dirt trackers,” Mr. Powers said