Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s been a busy couple weeks on the news front for Canadian rugby fans with the imminent arrival of the new Americas Rugby Championship and there’s plenty to absorb, so let’s try and summarise things quickly. Also don’t forget the HSBC World Sevens Series starts up again this weekend after a few weeks off for the holidays, so let’s start with that.
NEW FACES FOR 7s TEAM
Luke McCloskey and Phil Berna were named in the traveling group to head to Wellington and both will now make their debuts as Sean Duke has pulled out of the weekend due to a late injury. Lucas Hammond is also back in. The team has struggled a bit to start the series and needs to get some confidence back with a good showing against Kenya in game one.
JOHN MOVES UP THE WELSH LADDER
Former national sevens supremo Geraint John has taken another big step in his new administrative career, assuming the position of Head of Rugby Performance for the Welsh Rugby Union. Basically he will oversee all professional rugby in Wales. Mr. John had a rocky start during his time in the frozen north, but eventually achieved impressive results with entirely home-grown players. Best of luck in his new position, maybe he could recommend a couple people to fill some vacances here at RC headquarters?
CANADIAN REFS IN DEMAND
It’s a good start to the year on the match officials front for Canada’s top whistle-blowers. Chris Assmus is part of the ARC panel, while Sherry Trumball and Rose LaBrèche have been appointed to the Six Nations in Europe. LaBrèche is also on the women’s sevens series panel. It’s great for Canadian rugby and hopefully the best is yet to come on that front.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND
For those in and around the Toronto area, or those who want to see a pretty solid lineup of educators from around the country and beyond, check out the National Rugby Conference at the Hilton in Mississauga. The events get underway tomorrow and some of the speakers include World Rugby coach of the year Michael Cheika, Highlanders CEO Roger Clark, and Australia referee manager Jamie McGregor (not to be confused with Conor). Might be cool to have a PPV stream of such an event in the future, but for now those of us not able to attend will just have to rely on some notes from those more fortunate.
CUDMORE MAKING HEADLINES
…and for more reasons than one. After we revealed earlier in the week that the big man would be joining the Canadian staff for the upcoming ARC, Señor Cudmore landed himself in a bit of hot water with his club side Clermont Auvergne after a comment on Twitter criticized the coaching staff following their embarrassing departure from the Champions Cup.
Clean out The front office And #bringbackvern
— Jamie Cudmore (@JNCudmore) January 24, 2016
The management have since said he will be sanctioned, and with Cudmore set to move to pastures new next season it could well be that he has played his last game in the jaune et bleu. Both Gloucester and Scarlets have been mentioned in dispatches as possible destinations, but the French press is insistent that Lyon are leading the charge with a 2-year offer on the table.
EARLY RETIREMENTS?
There were a few notable absentees from the ARC squad announced on Tuesday, but two in particular stood out. Jamie Mackenzie enjoyed his best run in a Canadian shirt last season that culminated in a second World Cup, but it looks like his rep rugby days are done, with multiple sources saying that he is now concentrating on his career outside the sport. Thyssen de Goede is another in the same situation. The flanker didn’t quite make the cut but looked a certainty to be a leader in the ARC. Meanwhile Tom Dolezel’s arm injury has effectively ended his test career – though he says he still hopes to play for the Blues – and Canada’s depth chart looks a little thinner.
Two more have also been conspicuously absent. The recent press release for the Wellington tournament revealed 19 of Liam Middleton’s carded sevens players, leaving one mystery spot. Previously this was understood to be Andrew Coe, currently preparing with the u20 squad for their February qualifier against the USA. That leaves out both Mike Scholz and Connor Braid, who are also out of the ARC. Scholz has battled injury for several years now, while Braid suffered concussion and a broken jaw at the World Cup. Will we see either again in the red jersey?
NO REES FOR CANADA
No, Gareth Rees was not coming out of retirement (but he is headed your way soon on a cross-country tour). Former Wales u20 centre Nathan Rees, a standout at the UBC Thunderbirds, was touted as a potential member of the ARC team and Americas Rugby News can reveal that enquiries were made about his eligibility to do just that, but World Rugby have ruled him ineligible. Apparently his residency requirements have not been met as he returned to his home country in between school seasons and that, in effect, has reset his clock. That pretty much rules out any chance of ever seeing him contend for Canada honours.
VISA TROUBLES FOR McRORIE
The timing of the new tournament has proved an obstacle for selection, with some not available at all and others only around for parts of the tourney. Unless things change rapidly, don’t expected to see Gordon McRorie for any of the away matches, as the adopted Scotsman has some sorting to do on his visa before he’s allowed to travel outside the country with the team. That means Andrew Ferguson and Jake Robinson will be the scrumhalves for the matches against the USA, Argentina, and Chile.
WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
That’s probably the question many of you are asking after seeing 18 uncapped players included in the squad for the ARC. No need to be embarrassed, even someone who follows the CRC religiously would not have seen some of them last year, and in a couple cases not at all. If you did know them all, or even the majority, give yourself a pat on the back. For the rest, here’s a crash course on the new names.
ROB BROUWER – Veteran prop from Lindsay, the same club as Doug Wooldridge. Like Hubert Buydens he’s tall for a prop – 6’3” – and actually played a bit of lock when he started with the Ontario Blues, but has now settled into the front row, mostly as a loosehead. He’s been the backup to national reps Dolezel and Wooldridge for the past couple years. Solid in the scrum and surprisingly agile for a big man. This is his first shot at national honours.
RYAN KOTLEWSKI – You might recognize the name not only as a standout with the Wolf Pack but also with the Canada ‘A’ side in the Pacific Challenge. To be fair, the video feed from Fiji was choppy at the best of times. Strong and square tighthead who was in the training squad for the 2014 ARC but did not feature in any games. Still in his mid-20s, he skipped last year’s CRC to play in Australia and won a title with Canberra Royals as their starting no3.
ERIC HOWARD – One of the new breed of hookers finally coming through after years of slim competition at the key position. Just 22 years old and with a traditional hooker’s build – short and stocky with support beams for legs. A ready-made replacement for Ray Barkwill at the Blues, he’s also played a bit of international sevens for the Canadian university team so that gives you an indication of his athleticism.
ALEX MASCOTT – Another 22 year old rake who missed last year’s CRC with a bad ankle injury. The UBC Thunderbirds standout was the starting hooker for the Canadian u20s in 2014, with Djustice Sears-Duru on his left shoulder. A more modern build than Howard, mobile and intelligent with strong fundamentals.
LIAM CHISHOLM – Towering second row from the University of Victoria, a legit 6’7” who isn’t a stringbean but could easily fit a few more pounds on a big frame. Brought into the BC Bears soon after arriving from Ontario but hasn’t seen any CRC action in the past couple years. A project player who has just turned 25, this is a big opportunity for him to impress.
PAUL CIULINI – Starting lock from a very good u20 side last year. Not the tallest at maybe 6’5” but powerfully built and with a big engine. Physical player with potential, he made his senior Blues debut on their tour to Scotland in 2014.
KYLE BAILLIE – Similar height to Ciulini, a short lock or a big blindside flanker. Has good athleticism and strong lineout skills, as displayed in both the 2013 and 2014 ARC tourneys. Something of a journeyman having played club rugby from coast to coast, he has settled in Halifax for now after returning from several months in Australia playing for Easts alongside Jake Ilnicki. The first PEI native to play senior rugby for Canada since Olympic hero Heather Moyse.
ALISTAIR CLARK – Traditional openside who has been in and around national selection for several years. A leader in the Ontario Blues pack who just seems to get stuck into everything, a bit like Adam Kleeberger minus the beard. Had a fine Pacific Challenge tournament last year with the ‘A’ side and will provide valuable experience.
MIKE HAMSON – Dynamic loose forward, powerfully built who competes well at the breakdown. At his best as a no8 but lacks the height to compete in the lineout so probably more of a flanker. Has been one of the best forward in Eastern Canada for a while and stood out in a good Rock back row last year. This is his first national selection.
CLAY PANGA – A surprise choice given that he’s now on the wrong side of 30 and seems to be leaning towards a coaching career. New Zealand born and very rugby savvy, he is the epitome of versatile, having played as a loose forward for the Wolf Pack but also as a centre for BC, and even turned out at flyhalf for a season in the conundrum that is Castaway Wanderers. Drew the short end of the stick after being named to the 2014 ARC squad and ended up only seeing a few minutes on the wing. A possible starter at no8.
LUCAS RUMBALL – Captain of last year’s u20 side who was called into the senior camp last summer. Brother Jacob, a prop currently in Hong Kong, has been capped at ‘A’ level. Probably more effective as a blindside flanker but can also play openside. Abrasive and relentless at the breakdown, and a capable lineout option. His mental strength has marked him as a future international. Future meaning now.
ANDREW FERGUSON – The starting scrumhalf for the Ontario Blues for the past two seasons and a two-time member of the national u20 side, ‘Ferg’ has been knocking on the door for a while and was viewed as a genuine prospect for the World Cup. Finally gets his big chance and with McRorie only available for two games, he should start the away matches. Quick off the mark and also a handy goal kicker.
JAKE ROBINSON – Another surprise, mostly because he announced his retirement last year ahead of the CRC. A year earlier he was the starting scrumhalf for the Wolf Pack when McRorie played no10. Good core skills and at 27 is still in his athletic prime. Will likely play backup to Ferguson in the away fixtures.
GRADYN BOWD – A Red Deer, Alberta, native who rocketed up the ladder last year with a fine season for the Wolf Pack at no10. Prior to that he was a centre and part of the 2012 national u20 squad, playing second fiddle to future test caps Mike Fuailefau and Taylor Paris. Bowd is a strong runner with good passing skills who showed a pretty decent tactical kicking game as well in the CRC. Will most likely be Patrick Parfrey’s understudy for this tournament.
MOZAC SAMSON – The Fijian-born centre is a welcome addition to the team, if a little unexpected. After being one of the standout players in last year’s CRC he was controversially omitted from the Pacific Nations Cup and given no opportunity to make a claim for the World Cup. The 30-year-old will finally get his chance in Canada colours in the ARC, where he is likely to start beside Wolf Pack teammate Nick Blevins. A powerful strike runner, he could be a key attacking figure if he sees the ball.
DUNCAN MAGUIRE – A starter for the Wolf Pack over the last couple seasons, he played on the wing for the ‘A’ side in the 2013 ARC. Also spent the 2013/14 season traveling with the senior sevens side. Has good speed and versatility, capable of playing outside centre or fullback as well. A prolific finisher at CRC level.
DAN MOOR – Powerfully-built outside back from the Balmy Beach in Toronto, he also has prior ARC experience, playing wing in the 2014 tournament. Captained Queen’s University to a provincial championship as a centre in 2012 after earlier that year spending time on exchange at Otago University. Rugged and combative in the contact area.
BRETT JOHNSON – A diamond in the rough? Comes from second division Truro Saints out of Nova Scotia, the 20-year-old spent three months in England with the club of the same name before making his mark with Nova Scotia Keltics. Primarily a fullback but used on the wing by the Rock last year, he has blistering pace and an x-factor that is a rarity in Canadian rugby. Size and style are reminiscent of Argentine sensation Santiago Cordero.
