The Straight Feed – 50 Days Out

We are now 50 days out from the World Cup. Ok, technically yesterday was 50 days out, but Canada plays on the second day of the tournament. We’re getting close. Very close. The Pacific Nations Cup is all but over, and the team for England is due to be named in the next couple weeks. These are nerve wracking hours for the players on the edge.

Thankfully a few have stood up to be counted. The game against Samoa was in improvement. Still a ways off where they should be, but the rugby was for the most part positive and when you look at it, the game was given away rather than lost. Of course that bit is frustrating, especially to fall on the final play, in the way that they did.

The last two minutes were hard to watch. Canada won the turnover and Djustice Sears-Duru did the right thing by moving the ball quickly to Nick Blevins, but for reasons known only to the centre – who had otherwise played a fine game – he kicked the ball away with a two-man overlap and in all the excitement Sears-Duru was offside. Had Blevins simply held onto the ball, the game was won.

It’s not fair to pin the blame on Blevins, it was just one moment of several that weren’t up to par. The lineout on the 30 minute mark was a complete disaster. In a strong attacking position that was criminal. Several tackles were missed by players simply standing in the wrong spot. Phil Mack’s pass to Phil Mackenzie was just insane.

There were positives, and several of them. Sears-Duru, offside penalty aside, was excellent in his run-on debut. He is a serious physical specimen and is already one of the most damaging runners in the side. The scrum looked solid enough on his side, the only thing that he seems short on is experience. No complaints there. It looks like he has done enough to make the final squad, which means one of the more experienced props will miss out. That all but locks up the loosehead side, but tighthead is still a worry.

Doug Wooldridge looks to have the edge at scrum time, but there isn’t much between he and Andrew Tiedemann. Neither have sparkled, and Jake Ilnicki should be coming back into the picture right about now. There is some concern over a niggling back injury to Jason Marshall, and the clock is quickly ticking on his recovery, while the same can be said for poor Tom Dolezel. Big Tom was unlucky to miss out in 2011, and a fractured arm suffered in training before the PNC might keep him out once again. His undeniable presence in the scrum, and the valuable ability to play both sides, might be enough to give him a last-gasp shot if he’s fit enough to take part against the Eagles in Ottawa.

Hooker looks all but sorted. Ray Barkwill is leading the way, with Benoît Pifféro and Aaron Carpenter the reserve options. All three should travel to England. Barkwill’s throwing has been hit and miss, but he is the most capable scrummager of the trio and in good form in the loose. It’s fair to say that Carpenter looks rusty in the set piece requirements of hooker. Injury robbed him of most of the season with Pirates and it might well have cost him a starting spot at the World Cup.

Another bright light from the match in Toronto was the anticipated debut of Evan Olmstead, who did not disappoint. His aggression at the contact area and presence in the lineout were outstanding. Based on that performance he is a certainty for England, and depending on where Kieran Crowley opts to play Jebb Sinclair, there could be two very disappointed second rows left out. The news of Jamie Cudmore’s return to full fitness is a massive boost, but it’s a relief to know that Olmstead is a more than capable stand-in.

The back row isn’t as clear cut. Tyler Ardron tweaked a knee early on against Samoa and will almost certainly miss the game on Monday, regardless of the results of his MRI, but should be ok in a couple weeks. Richard Thorpe has been the pick of the flankers thus far. Both Kyle Gilmour and John Moonlight have been busy, but neither have put a commanding stamp down on a jersey. Callum Morrison and Thyssen de Goede look to be in direct competition for a spot as blindside cover. Morrison’s size and ability to cover lock as well could see him win that decision. Nanyak Dala looks almost certain to miss out with a persistent arm injury.

While scrumhalf looks pretty set, the rest of the backs are a bit of a conundrum. For all Mack’s creativity, his lack of a kicking game and penchant for taking risks is more suited to being an impact sub rather than a starter. Gordon McRorie’s goal kicking attributes should also see him get the nod in the no9 jersey.

Nathan Hirayama put a strong foot forward for the no10 jersey against Samoa. His kicking off both feet was outstanding. He remains somewhat frail defensively and did toss a couple balls away, so the door remains open for Liam Underwood. The latter has struggled but should get an opportunity against the Eagles on Monday to make one last claim for the jersey.

The midfield looks a complete mess. Connor Braid was the preferred no12 but now has hot competition from Blevins. They are very different players, however, and both could get the call to provide options if neither wins the spot outright. Outside centre is a big concern. Ciaran Hearn has always looked better inside and struggles with his defensive positioning, while Conor Trainor hasn’t set the world alight either. For some reason Crowley is hesitant to play DTH van der Merwe in the position he excelled in 2011.

A wild card might be Mackenzie, who filled the gap admirably against Tonga, though he has looked more at home on the wing. Monday’s selection will give us a better idea of what Crowley has in mind, but surely Mackenzie has done enough to earn a start. Where exactly that leaves Taylor Paris, still to join up with the squad, has yet to be seen.

Matt Evans and James Pritchard are in the picture at fullback, though Evans looks to have the edge, certainly in the pace department. Pritchard’s mixed results from the tee against Samoa didn’t earn him any bonus points, and Crowley might now have to consider whether to bring the veteran or the versatile Harry Jones, who has barely been given a look-in as a potential starter.

Monday represents an opportunity to get a much-needed win at home against a tricky but beatable Eagles side. More importantly it’s a last chance for several players to make their mark heading towards the World Cup. Second chances are now positively gone. Everyone who takes the field should feel the pressure of uncertainty, and only those who succeed despite it should be rewarded. Canadian fans could sure use a little inspiration right about now.