Canada starts slow in PNC

The first international hit-out of the year is usually a bit disjointed, and that’s certainly what we saw in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji and Tonga looked about the same, a bit unfamiliar with each other, but with enough class to put together some exciting passages. Samoa were quality for forty minutes before running out of gas against the Eagles, who were outgunned but pulled it together for a strong second half to give American fans plenty to look forward to.

Japan had already played three matches before Saturday, and were easily the most structured side from the weekend. Given that it was always going to be a tough ask for Canada to come out on top, but the ease in which the Brave Blossoms went through their phases was worrisome. The Canadian offense didn’t fare much better.

Head coach Kieran Crowley pointed to penalties being an issue, and they were. Of the 15 total penalties, 10 came between the 30 and 60 minute marks. It wasn’t just the frequency, it was the poor decisions behind them. Three for not rolling away after the tackle, two for pulling down the maul. Doug Wooldridge was penalised after Tyler Ardron failed to clear the ball from a scrum that was already won. Aaron Carpenter’s incorrect entry to the tackle in the 62nd minute was so bad it’s amazing he wasn’t carded.

Ardron spoke after the game about handling errors. There were more than enough of those to go around. How many times did passes do to nobody? Well, since you’ve asked, on 16 occasions the ball found either the grass, the sideline, or the other team. DTH van der Merwe had three poor passes, Hubert Buydens two. Connor Braid had a great break up the middle and passed it to a Japanese player. The usually reliable Gordon McRorie tossed two away. Phil Mack came on and looked quick, but his distribution was wild and two more balls went astray. Add to that two knock-ons from Ciaran Hearn and it’s far too many mistakes.

Sure, we can write it off to a warm-up match, something to work on, whatever excuse you want to make, but these players have been together for two weeks in the build-up, and most have been been part of the team for years. As the commentary team pointed out after Carpenter’s brain explosion, these are the kinds of errors you expect from a schoolboy team, not experienced international players.

Defense was also an issue, especially surrounding the maul. The Japanese forwards had their way, sans doubt. First up tackling was also a problem. Missed tackles were up in the teens. Braid and Hearn were not in sync in the midfield defense, and it led to two line breaks, one of which resulted in a try for Yoshikazu Fujita. The big hits to make up for it were few and far between.

Going back to the offense, the game plan seemed to be one-off runners, usually static, and sporadically chuck it to the backs. On 37 occasions it was a forward as first receiver, and very few made it over the advantage line. When Liam Underwood did get the ball, it was inevitably slow, with a set line in front of him, and far too deep. Those tactics are not going to find much success against a disciplined defense.

There were some positives. Buydens put in a decent shift, though surely we have better carrying options somewhere. Ray Barkwill was aggressive in defense, accurate with his throwing, and didn’t take any silly penalties. Braid did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball, including winning two turnovers at the breakdown. The outside backs looked dangerous, but didn’t see enough ball in space. Djustice Sears-Duru had a very positive cameo as a replacement.

Tonga are a very different proposition. They are considerably less structured but immensely physical. Improved discipline and greater accuracy should go without saying, but there needs to be more than that. Personnel changes are required, and those who did not play well against Japan should be put on notice. There is competition for every spot and nobody should feel safe. It’s time to front up, accept the challenge, and earn the jersey. Let’s hope Friday’s battle in Burnaby is closer to what Canadian fans expect from their chosen few.