ARC Preview – Canada

It’s almost here, the groundbreaking new test rugby tournament begins this Saturday. The bringing together of Rugby World Cup regulars Argentina, Canada, and the USA along with the rapidly developing Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile gives the Americas a legitimate and highly promising platform for rugby to grow throughout the region.

2015 FORM

There’s no sense trying to sugarcoat it, last year was dreadful for the team. With only one win in 11 tests – plus one against Glasgow Warriors in a friendly – and a complete shut-out at the World Cup, there wasn’t much to cheer about for Canadian fans. One can argue that Canada were in positions to win during several matches, but as the saying goes ‘the numbers don’t lie’.

Despite the poor record their world ranking slipped only one place, from 18th to 19th, though they are perilously close to dropping another spot with Uruguay hot on their heels and conveniently their first opponents in the new competition. A loss would drop them to 20th, their lowest ebb since the introduction of the official rankings in 2003.

The good news is things can only improve. In theory at least. A host of new players – 18 in all – will get an opportunity to prove themselves in the coming weeks. Regardless of results, it will improve the depth chart and with an entire team full of professionals to bolster the squad in later months, Canadians should start to see improved performances in the relatively near future.

POST-RWC 2015

After departing empty-handed from Leicester City Stadium, the Canadian squad went their separate ways. A number stayed behind with professional commitments, while another good chunk headed back to home base to prepare for the HSBC Sevens Series and potential Olympic qualification.

Neither of those groups of players will be seen at the Americas Rugby Championship. All but two European professionals have been left at their clubs so as not to damage their contractual prospects. The sevens players are also not available for the ARC, part of a new Rugby Canada policy of separating the two programs, though that situation will change following the Olympics.

While the absence of so many top players is problematic, arguably of more concern to Canadian fans is the state of disarray in the Rugby Canada administration. A number of high profile positions – General Manager, CEO, High Performance Director, and Head Coach – have been vacated over the past year and only new GM Jim Dixon has filled the gap on a permanent basis. François Ratier steps in as interim Head Coach and Jamie Cudmore will wear a coaching hat for the first time, but there is a sense that Canada must get their own back yard sorted first before they find success beyond their borders.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Among so many new players one could virtually point to any position on the field, but among the crowd are a few youngsters with long-term potential that should receive the most scrutiny.

Hooker has been a problem position for seemingly the last two decades, with rarely more than one or two strong options at a time. With France-based Benoît Pifféro unavailable, the search for a successor to incumbent Ray Barkwill begins with two 22-year-olds, Alex Mascott and Eric Howard. The former has come through the national u20 program while the latter has emerged more recently with the Ontario Blues. Both are mobile and solid prospects.

Elsewhere in the pack two graduates from last year’s impressive u20 side will look to take the step up to senior international level. Second row Paul Ciulini and flanker Lucas Rumball should get some meaningful playing time. Both are well suited to close quarters combat and look to dominate the contact area, something Canadian forwards have struggled with somewhat in recent months.

Ontario Blues scrumhalf Andrew Ferguson will make his much-anticipated debut and has the potential to put real pressure on Gordon McRorie for the starting role. Out wide there is a chance for bolter Brett Johnson, from the unfashionable Truro Saints club in Nova Scotia’s second division. A fullback or wing, he lacks size but makes up for it with exceptional speed and a nose for the tryline.

VERDICT

Coach Ratier and acting captain Hubert Buydens have their work cut out for them, there’s no question of that. Athletically they are capable of matching against any side. Getting acquainted with each other in record time – and in record numbers – will be the challenge. Wins against Chile and Brazil can be expected. Anything more will be a good return under difficult circumstances.

FIXTURES

Feb 6	vs Uruguay	Langford	16:00 PST, 19:00 EST
Feb 13	vs USA	Round Rock	18:00 CST, 16:00 PST, 19:00 EST
Feb 20	vs Brazil	Langford	16:00 PST, 19:00 EST
Feb 26	vs Argentina	Rosario	18:10 local, 13:10 PST, 16:10 EST
Mar 5	vs Chile	Santiago	19:10 local, 14:10 PST, 17:10 EST

SQUAD

NAME	POS	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
Brouwer, Rob	PR	1.91 6-3	121 265	Dec 10 1982	0	Lindsay
Buydens, Hubert	PR	1.91 6-3	125 275	Jan 4 1982	39	Castaway Wanderers
Ilnicki, Jake	PR	1.85 6-1	119 260	Feb 24 1992	9	Castaway Wanderers
Kotlewski, Ryan	PR	1.80 5-11	118 260	Feb 21 1990	0	Calgary Saints
Sears-Duru, Djustice	PR	1.85 6-1	123 270	May 24 1994	12	Oakville Crusaders
Barkwill, Ray	HO	1.73 5-8	103 225	Aug 26 1980	26	Castaway Wanderers
Howard, Eric	HO	1.76 5-9	100 220	Sep 5 1993	0	Brantford Harlequins
Mascott, Alex	HO	1.81 5-11	98 215	Oct 23 1993	0	UBC Thunderbirds
Baillie, Kyle	LO/FL	1.97 6-5	111 245	Apr 7 1991	0	Halifax Tars
Chisholm, Liam	LO	2.01 6-7	115 255	Jan 7 1991	0	UVic Vikes
Ciulini, Paul	LO	1.95 6-5	113 250	Oct 28 1995	0	Aurora Barbarians
Morrison, Callum	LO	1.98 6-6	110 240	Nov 28 1985	3	UBCOB Ravens
Pierce, Cameron	LO	2.00 6-7	108 240	Oct 26 1991	1	Pau (FR)
Clark, Alistair	FL	1.84 6-0	97 215	Jul 4 1987	0	Bay Street
Clark, Sam	FL/LO	1.95 6-5	99 220	May 17 1992	0	UBC Thunderbirds
Gilmour, Kyle	FL	1.87 6-2	105 230	Jan 26 1988	14	Rotherham Titans (UK)
Hamson, Mike	FL/N8	1.83 6-0	98 215	Mar 6 1988	0	Halifax Tars
Rumball, Lucas	FL	1.90 6-3	106 235	Aug 2 1995	0	Balmy Beach
Panga, Clay	N8	1.86 6-1	97 215	Jul 6 1985	0	Westshore Velox
Ferguson, Andrew	SH	1.76 5-9	88 195	May 1 1992	0	Oakville Crusaders
McRorie, Gordon	SH	1.76 5-9	80 175	May 12 1988	15	Calgary Hornets
Robinson, Jake	SH	1.75 5-9	83 180	Jun 3 1988	0	St. Albert
Bowd, Gradyn	FH	1.78 5-10	93 205	Aug 27 1992	0	UVic Vikes
Parfrey, Patrick	FH/FB	1.88 6-2	92 200	Nov 1 1991	7	Swilers
Blevins, Nick	CE	1.88 6-2	103 225	Sep 11 1988	28	Calgary Hornets
Dolesau, Joe	CE/WI	1.78 5-10	95 210	1982	0	Burnaby Lake
Samson, Mozac	CE	1.85 6-1	102 225	Sep 1 1985	0	Calgary Saints
Staller, Brock	CE/FB	1.88 6-2	95 210	Mar 24 1992	0	UBC Thunderbirds
Mackenzie, Phil	WI/CE	1.85 6-1	99 220	Feb 25 1987	29	Sale Sharks (UK)
Maguire, Duncan	WI	1.80 5-11	87 190	Aug 4 1989	0	St. Albert
Moor, Dan	WI	1.83 6-0	100 220	Jul 24 1990	0	Balmy Beach
Johnson, Brett	FB/WI	1.75 5-9	75 165	Aug 6 1994	0	Truro Saints