Canada beat the USA in game one of their Rugby World Cup warm-ups

Is it me, or in the first USA try, in the turnover, the nr13 entered clearly in the side of the ruck?

What happened for the 1st try? o_O

Really glad to see rugby being featured on Canadian TV... 'bout damn time!

The match wasn't that great... too many handling errors on the part of both teams, and some shocking kicking from the USA #10 during the first half (the same guy who screwed up the clearance from in-goal that resulted in the Canadian try).

My biggest complaint, though, was the poor TV camera work done by TSN... rugby is a wide game and most shots should be wide... too often the cameramen focused/zoomed in too much and the fans were unable to watch the play develop. You could see the #10 run with the ball... but you couldn't see what 12 and 13 were running, if 15 or 11 were in the line, etc...

Still, TSN will be carrying another game on the 13th, plus loads of games from the RWC. Hopefully the USA can get some more high-profile games... perhaps some of the 6-nations games, Super Rugby, etc.

Any rugby on TV in Canada is good rugby!

Haha ^^ but i thought that looked pretty good.. Maybe if a bigger rugby nation was involved then not so close but a good clash non the less. Todd Clever really is head and shoulders above the rest.. Is Mike Hercus still playing?

"what a sad game of rugby. NZ-Canada would be like 155-0"

Cool story, bro.

In fact, this game was one of the best of the weekend. It lacked the production value of a Bledisloe cup game, but it certainly had way more intensity than the Ireland-Scotland match.

Canada gave up way too many penalties for their own good. But there were some soft tries in there for sure.

The one where Canada scored off what was supposed to be some sort of quick lineout...that was just ridiculous!

Glad to see the US actually contended with Canada though there for a while. I was expecting the Canucks to win pretty easily, given that they're typically the stronger side. But yeah, I guess they sort of did themselves in giving up so many penalties (well done to the US, though, for not playing the sloppy game I'm used to seeing).

Can't wait to see these guys play next weekend! (Though the turn out could be pretty pathetic...seeing as that's usually how it is at Infinity Park...)

What happened for the 1st try? o_O

Yeah, I was scratching my head for a while there, too.

The TJ ruled that the Canadian player was in touch, I guess. So, for some silly reason, a US player went for a quick lineout. That went to hell and the ball ended up in a Canadian player's arms. So the try got scored anyway.

Strange, indeed.

"Is it me, or in the first USA try, in the turnover, the nr13 entered clearly in the side of the ruck?"

I think it was close, but it looked like the ruck was over by the time Blue #13 came in.

Lol at the anonymous. Dude, look at who is playing! 10,000 people at a Canada vs USA game is huge. Remember that rugby is a very small sport in these two nations. In Canada, ice hockey, basketball, american football, lacrosse and baseball are all bigger sports, and it is even smaller in the states.

Stop being petty and celebrate a day that saw a huge advancement of the game of rugby. For the first time, rugby was shown on Canada's biggest sport channel in a prime slot, and it was also the first home match that Canada have played at a proper venue. Before today they were using university fields with 5,000 capacity. Today was a real step forward from that.

Its good to see the game spreading to new countries. If Rugby grows in these countries and the sporting pedigree of these nations comes to the fore it wont be long before they start to contend at a higher level.

I dont mean this negativley but it makes you realise the skill set of top nations.

good stuff guys, keep playing

canada is a very wealthy country, if rugby gets big there, expect the level of play to sky rocket

Go easy on the derogatory remarks please. No need for it.

Always a pleasure to see Canadians and Americans playing rugby (especially those poor Americans, who live in a country of forward passing sports). Was it me or did the commentators have Canadian accents?
On the first US try, the US lock (number 4) is held back by the shirt by a Canadian player. It doesn't alter the action, but it's not something you want to see at international level. As for the USA, a couple of dumb bloopers cost them the game. It's good to see how Ngwenya is having a ball out there, coming from a Top14 level of rugby.

couple of blooper tries gifted by the US to Canada
but overall its good to see rugby growing in North America, nearly 10k fans:

good phases of rugby

and its also good to see more and more US canadians playing professionally (Zee Ngwenya in Top14 with BO, scott Lavalla at SF, Clever with Lions in Super rugby, Emerick with Sarries, a couple of canadians, O'Toole with the Ospreys, DTHVanDerMerwe with Glasgow...) they bring back their skills and professionalism and it benefits the whole squads

also, olympic funding in these countries will benefit sevens, which is a gateway to 15s (Todd Clever, Zee Ngwenya are good examples of sevens players gone pro after 7s good preformances)

Who said it is good to see rugby in new countries hasn't been following closely. Canada has been in every world cup. Also please be notified that we play hockey, not ice hockey in Canada. The other game is called field hockey. There were three commentators, two were ex-Canad internationals, Gareth Rees and Brian Spanton, the other was Nigel Starmer-Smith and his accent is definitely not Canadian. When Canada plays USA all that matters is the result and we got that so I am happy.

A lot of passion in that game some poor handling and decision making but still good fun. If ever the North Americans get serious about rugby then they will rule the world.

I kind of find it sad that Ngwenya can out run Bryan Habana in the last RWC but get beaten to the corner by an 8-man. Lack of effort or just got the drop on him? I don't know but it looks suspiciously like all that French play knocked a gear off Zee.

with respect canada is new to rugby, my comment was not not ment to be negative but encouraging, the standard of the canadian national team is below that of the top two leagues in the SH and european nations.

However it is good to see rugby growing in the smaller rugby nations. Canada calls hockey "field hockey" - Hockey has been played around the world much longer than canada has been a country in its present form.

The world cup is a baby as a competition, inclusion doesnt mean that you are the same standard as the rugby dominant nations.

It would however be great to see a day when canada, USA, Georgia and alike are at the same standard - it would be great for the game and good to see the code spreading.

I've often thought that if the scandanavian countries with their genetics get on board that could be really interesting!

Thx Ryan

it was pretty sweet that they brought mark lawrence in to ref as well, made sure that there weren't no really shitty calls

And then they play a decent team and get smashed by over 40 points.
Gotta warm those minnows up ;)

Both the first two USA tries shouldn't have counted. Emerick (13) clearly comes in from the side as the ruck was undoubtedly already formed and the pass to Clever was forward. That being said good result if not the best performance by Canada. DTH still not match fit yet and Scholz probably played himself out or the 12 Jersey. Moving Evans to 12 and inserting Hearn at the wing will make all the difference. Good to see the Canadian scrum demonstrate some marked improvement over where they were last year.

I'm sorry but who the **** do canada think they are wearing red? Don't they know that its the welsh and the Tonga kit! I mean how FUCKING disrespectful are they!

AND USA!!!! WTF, they are wearing a darkish blue shirt with the same lines as the scottish shirt!!! I MEAN WTF IS GOING ON HERE!!! THIS IS PURELY DISRESPECTFUL AND I THINK THE TONGAN'S, WELSH, SCOTTISH OH AND THE GEORGIANS ARE OWED AN EXPLANATION AND AN APOLOGY!

"what a sad game of rugby. NZ-Canada would be like 155-0"

I 100% agree, but you forgot to add that 20 Canadian rugby players would have lost their anal virginity to the customary New Zealand bum poking!

This is the anon who wrote the second comment. I wrote this was a sad game of rugby. And I honestly ment that! Just look at the quality of their play! Poor passing, poor kicking... But, I do encourage for games like these to be played and to be broadcasted. It's a big step forward for non-rugby countries like USA and Canada. And I should know as I'm from Belgium. I'm still waiting for the first coverage on a Belgian rugby game on RD or Eurosport or whatever.

So honestly mister admin, I think it is sad you removed my comment as it was an honest opinion and no insult to anyone!

Excellent beard-wearing skills by Canadian No8.

Had to laugh at the commentary when the US fly-half fumbled the ball behind the posts allowing Canada to score - "he's been playing professionally in London for Esher". Can just imagine him boasting to the rest of the team, " oh yeah, I'm playing for one of the top rugby teams in England"!

Is Cudmore going to be playing for Canada this RWC?

Only because they look like an amateur team here, sorry if that offends Canadian RD fans, it's just you guys look like you need a few more years of influence... should i say a very good amateur team.... but just thought with cudmores experience and size and skill it might boost them....

and failing that he is bound to throw a few punches that will make good entertainment on RD :) lol

@Rusty_lock

Emerick didn't come in from the side seeing as the ball was out of the ruck. He did nothing wrong.

I think he was in the side.. Don't know which Canadian player but he rucked out original American trying to turn over.. Then emerick who isn't the tackler comes around the side and joins ruck at the same time as Canada 6, 5 and 2. Ball remains in ruck IMO.. You can see how easily different people interpetate rules and how easy refs get it wrong.. (correct me if any of the rules I've said were wrong)

Well, I guess I can give my 2 cents...

I dunno, I think the first Canadian cleanout player (the scrumhalf was it?) removes the USA tackler (fullback?). At that point, there's no one else over the ball/player on the ground, so you could say the ruck was over.

USA 13 enters at the same time, or just before, the remaining Canadian support players, but he's on his feet and snatches the ball. That part is fine.

The question is then whether the ruck was over or not.

Regarding forming a ruck:
Players are on their feet. At least one player must be in physical contact with an opponent.

Regarding joining a ruck:
A player joining a ruck must bind on a team-mate or an opponent, using the whole arm. The bind must either precede, or be simultaneous with, contact with any other part of the body of the player joining the ruck.

Well, there was no player for 13 to bind onto, so what ruck is there for him to join? The first Canadian player rucked the USA tackler onto the other side of the ruck and to the ground, so neither of those players should be considered "part of the ruck".

And while we're at it, if you're going to question whether the 13 came in from the side, you could raise the same question regarding the Canadian scrumhalf, couldn't you? He initially came in from a somewhat lateral position as well.

The point is that at any given ruck, there are tons of nuances and as long as there is no blatant cheating going on, it's usually "good enough".

Anyone else want to have a go at this horse?

http://chicksinthehuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/south-park-dead-horse.jpg

It is a good thing to keep these canadians on a rugby field... I am pretty sure these 8 forwards could cut all the trees of Amazonia in 80 min...
Also I have always considered Ngwenya as one of the best wings of Europe. Too bad he does not play in a club that actually play good rugby. I am sure he would be great in Toulouse or Leinster.

Either one of these teams has a legitimate chance to upset one of the big boys in this year's world cup...
...
...
...
...
not!

"ElTigre said...
And then they play a decent team and get smashed by over 40 points.
Gotta warm those minnows up ;)"

Considering you make derogatory comments about Berrick Barnes in the latest video of him I suggest you generally shut the fuck up and go away ElTigre... really anyone who insults a badly injured player is not worthy of talking about rugby you cunt!

^^jokes aside it is great to see north american rugby on RD. I'm willing to bet north americans are over-represented as fans of RD vs. other rugby playing nations as we must turn to the internets to get our rugby fix -- very little rugby on network or cable TV, ever.

A better game then the dross of Ireland v Scotland, go Canada

Can the US please get a decent fly-half!?!?

@gf...last news about Hercus was in 2010 playing in Australia. I miss him...in a manly national representative kinda way.

Nice to see highlights of rugby games not involving the top 10 countries. Thank you RD.

Hercus is no longer playing pro or international rugby. I think he has moved back to Australia (he's really an Aussie).

I thought the game was decent standard, not world classs but certainly not terrible either.

Just so everyone understands about half of either team play pro rugby, mostly in Europe.

They are not completely ametuer sides at all, they both have a dozen or so pro players each.

Aside from the pro players (three or four from each side actually play for top clubs), I think many are what is called "semi-pro"...which isn't really amateur, but really isn't pro. They make some money, but it's hardly anything glorious. Something like that...

I think both would still be called "minnows"...

Well yeah, each team has a few players at the top proffesional level. USA has Ngwenya at Biaritz, Clever in Japan but recently in S14, Wyles and Smith at Saracens, Lavalla at Stade Francais, Macdonald at Leeds, Johnsona at London Irish and Paterson at Otago Highlanders.

Canada has Cudmore at Clermont, O'Toole at Ospreys, Sinclair at London Irish an Van dEr Mewe at Glasgow.

Then both have eight or nine guys at second division clubs in Europe, and the rest play in USA or Canada.

Interestingly, the Canadaian coach didn't pick a few European based players, and instead opted to go with a more Canadian team. I believe he wanted to have a team that he had developed and worked with over the years. He picked an entirley domestic based front row, including some quite young props.
He basically regarded them as beign as good as the European based front rowers left behind, and younger, so able to learn more.
No doubt a few will find clubs in Europe after this World Cup.

Clever's such a clown - look at him celebrating a fortuitous/lucky try at the end, that still left his side short... A true captain and team player would've kept his head down, given the ball to his flyhalf to kick the conversion, and resumed play as quickly as possible in an attempt to win. Act like you've done it before, mate. The thing is, he has, in a much better arena in the Super 14.

On the first try by the US, there was no ruck.
People need to realise that a ruck isn't formed just because the ball is on the ground or a player has been tackled.
The ref will call "ruck formed" (or is supposed to), when it is formed.

Look I'm from the USA so I got to represent my side. Rugby in the US. Is just starting to get big. Don't go bashing on lesser rugby playing countries because your country been playing much longer then us. Most of those guys didn't even get into rugby until highschool. You wouldn't like if I was on here bashing your basketball team for being lesser then ours. You guys should be happy both countries are picking up the game. If the US ever gets big into rugby just think what we can do, and how much money we put into the sport. You should be happy we're not that into your sport because we would dominate it if it was our number one sport.

I agree that if the US got involved fully in rugby they could be very good BUT!

Its very arrogant to suggest that all you have to do is try and you would be the world cup winners, if that was the case all the major nations would be at the standard of NZ - which unfortunatley we arent.

I agree that some of the above comments are out of order - its great to see rugby in North america and I hope it grows. But that tinge of American arogance doesn't really fit with rugby or the banter.

Remember half of the idiotic comments written on here will be 14year old muppets flicking between RD and the underwear section of their mums catalogue, just ignore them!

Hendrick, there's not a single rugby fan who wouldn't like rugby to be more popualr in North America.
And if all the money and attention that goes into NFL went into rugby, I have no doubt that the US would probably dominate the sport.
Of course that won't ever happen, but there will be a day when the US will be able to compete with the top teams.

@Kyle Harris
I've watched him play quite a few times with Biarritz this year, and my opinion is that Ngwenya is not (yet) a top defender. He's very talented ball in hand, but sometimes does very weird mistakes in his own 22, when defending.

Maybe Biarritz, a forward-minded team, is not the team he should play in in France, but it's not the Top14 that has "brought him down a gear", like you say.

True enough, the Top14 is not as dazzling as the Super15, but I don't think that it's because it's less intense. In fact one could argue that there are nearly twice as many matches per season in the Top14 as in Super15, and that this would make it more intense.

Surely that would in fact make each game less intense and slower.
But more gruelling certainly.

looked pretty scrappy. these two teams seem a bit off the pace but good luck to them at RWC

Who'd have thought a USA/Canada post would prompt 50+ comments? That's a good sign I think. Totally agree that USA & Canada have a ways to go, but the trend is in the right direction.

Clever copping a cheek feel after his first try. At 2:00.

Ok maybe I went a little overboard earlier. I let the trolls get the best of me, and the fact that the US in all reality should be much better than what we are. I think the selecting of players are poor. However, there is a big push in the states for youth rugby which is a huge step in the right direction. Also sorry for saying we would dominate the sport( we would be very competitive) . But the only country in the world with an Olympic medal in rugby is the US.

Hendrick, you sound like you're about 15. If you are, then it's just your youth.

If you're not, then stop gloating on things that don't matter and putting all of us rugby player in the US in a negative light.

The American rugby team won an Olympic medal 80 years ago. I doubt any actual Eagles players try to bring that up, given that we've never been ranked in the top 10 rugby nations, our winning record is only 35%, and we've only won two World Cup matches.

The fact that we make it to the World Cup at all is an accomplishment for the team - we were even at risk of not making it this year at all.

Just be happy about the little things like that, or that rugby is slowly but pretty consistently growing here in the States, and try to keep your mouth shut. Try to enjoy it without looking for something to feel big about.

Fingers crossed we can pull off an upset, though. :)

And if you're going to brag about Olympic medals, be ready to eat humble pie after 2016 and 7's starts being in the Olympic games.

Again, in Sevens, we're lucky if we win a half-dozen matches in the Sevens Series and come out in 10th or so place. So I'm not so sure we'll be the only ones with Olympic medals in rugby for long.

9 Starting players on the Canada team don't play in professional leagues. So when you say they look like an amateur, it's not far from the truth. It is still good to see fan base and popularity growing, it will only help to improve the rugby in North America.

Yeah but it's interesting, Keiran Crowley (the Canada coach), has left a few European based players out the starting team or out of the World Cup squad altogether.
He seems to think that the Canadian based players are just as good, and because he's had alot of time with them, he has been able to lift their level to something approaching a proffesional standard.
We'll see at the World Cup I guess.

Early predictions of the final scores of either New Zealand vs Canada or Australia vs United States at the RWC? Are both guaranteed triple digit wins or is that being too harsh on the North American squads?

Both USA and Canada will get apnked. Probly not by 100 points though

Ed Fairhurst, the legend, does what he knows best!!!

hahah olympic medals... the 1st one was an american uni touring and just happened to be in france i think and the olympic committee just added a france vs usa game and it wasnt even frances top team as they were somewhere else i think lol. and the second one, none of the top nations played in lol so really those medals dont mean shit lmao... americans are so funny hehe

if u dont believe me look it up lol

The US gifted CAN way too many points...the poor LO decision from 5 M, the ball going through the hands of Suniula in the try zone for another easy 7, and the terrible kicking results...this game quite easily could have gone well more than 20 points the other way, but Canada picked up their intensity and got back to simple stuff while the US continued to make poor decisions with ball in hand, kicking away possession, etc...I'm sure the rematch will be a cracker!

Rowan - you are right ion some respects, but don't they at least play full time in the Canadian leagues? And get paid to do it full time through the govt or other govt agencies for sport? Not Super 15 level, but at least full time, something we in the US need to do or we will continue to slip down the rankings...

As for the comments about the Olympic medals, in 1920, the US team was made up of California based students, and beat France. Other nations pulled out late as therer was doubt as to whether they would play the matches and travel was long and cost prohibitive. France had a full strength squad. In 1924, the US team was made up almost only of Stanford Players, and France again had a full strength squad. In fact, France rested most of their first stringers against Romania, then refused to grant the US practice fields. Also, while practicing later, A French attendanty paid to watch the Americans goods, supposedly saw nothing as all their clothes, wallets, money, etc was stolen while they practiced in a park. The French stormed the field and only police and the French Team shielding the US players allowed them to leave the pitch safely, as the French were heavily favored and bitter from the previous Olympic loss. They had even installed a fence around the field which was torn down and the end of the game. The US anthem was jeered and booed, and police remained around the US team until after the medal ceremony. Just for history/clarity...

And that is why the Olympics dropped rugby, thank you French specators. there were reports of fights and riots in the streets afterwards.

Who made the Clever comment? Wait, because he got his side within 3 pts near the end of the match he shouldn't show any emotion? He didn't prance around or do some stupid celebration. If you are to criticize him, why are you not criticizing the Canadian players who scored much mroe fo gift tries off a deflected stupid quick LO on the 5M, who acted like he just ran 50 meters through the whole team, or the guy who scored the try off of the dropped ball in the try zone - you'd have thought he did something miraculous...but you make no mention of either, so I assume you are here only for some personal issue/dislike for Clever...troll

The US have definitely made strides and everyone needs to remember, only about half of the players on the squad are professionals.

The super league for US rugby is all amateur players. Half the time those guys have to pay for their own travel and accommodations for games.

As the sport gains popularity in the states, hopefully it will become professional. That is our only chance of becoming a threat to make it out of pool play in future world cups.

For now I just want to see a win over Russia and at least a close game against Italy.

Big man El, nice support of your team jerk. We don't don't need fans like you. Go back to your sorry club and make sure the water the right temperature for the real players is just right.

Cool story, Hendrick.

I'm not sure about you, but I do support our team. In fact, I'll be there this Saturday cheering them on in Denver.

I'll be sure to ask them about the Olympic medal for you, though.

RE:
I'm sorry but who the **** do canada think they are wearing red? Don't they know that its the welsh and the Tonga kit! I mean how FUCKING disrespectful are they!

AND USA!!!! WTF, they are wearing a darkish blue shirt with the same lines as the scottish shirt!!! I MEAN WTF IS GOING ON HERE!!! THIS IS PURELY DISRESPECTFUL AND I THINK THE TONGAN'S, WELSH, SCOTTISH OH AND THE GEORGIANS ARE OWED AN EXPLANATION AND AN APOLOGY!



UGHHH Half of you guys are idiots . most of you are most likely little boys who think they are the greattest athletes in the world . grow the hell up . how the fuck is canada DISRESPECTING anyone? there colors are red and white . The US colors are red,white,and blue. grow the fuck up . and just because you rugby nations are good at "RUGBY", doesnt make you king shit of sports . actually, some of the best athletes in the world are american football players . This coming from a rugby player so go piss off ! tired of all this shit talk by non athletic people.

Anon: Swing and a miss. The disrespect comment is clearly meant to be sarcasm. Settle down.

Joey, sarcasm hasn't yet reached the shores of America judging from his comment, so I wouldn't waste your breath...

I have a dream. That one day mankind will play professional rugby in every country.

There was this visiting American bloke who joined my younger brother's (amateur) squad in Paris a few years back, for a few days.

After his short experience with rugby, he came out saying something along the lines of: "if only my fellow countrymen knew ..." [how much better than American Football it is]. He couldn't believe that you actually had to go on for 80mn, tackling, rucking, getting back up.

So in theory most rucks aren't rucks anymore because everyone is off their feet.. Like they can't lie on the floor with the ball lying between their legs, I swear thats almost every single one.

hg, they learnt of the bum pokers (aka NZ!)

No HG, that isn't the definition of a ruck.
Go learnt he rules.

Beards.

I have found the lack of Fairhurst worshipping in these comments to be...disturbing. You will worship him now as his solo try clearly prooves...

@Kyle Harris said...

Regarding Ngwenya; I was at the game and he has lost lots of pace...he never made it to one kick-off to tackle the player.

I think he's bulked up too much, he would not burn Habana today like he did in the '07 Cup. I was looking forward to him play, but was quite dissapointed :(