Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Canada make it two from two against the USA Eagles
We're getting closer to rugby world cup kick off time, so while there's lots of frantic dev work and planning going on behind the scenes with RD, we're also aiming to keep you updated on what's going on around the world of rugby.
A few of the weekend's matches were covered yesterday, but there's still some not touched on, with this being one of them, as rivals Canada and the USA met in Colorado for the second of their warm-up matches. Canada won the first game 28-22 in Toronto .
Canada had a few men sent from the field temporarily in the first half, but remained on top having scored some nice tries and ultimately, they took advantage of the US errors. The home side came close following a brilliant break from Biarritz's Zee Ngwenya, but they were held up over the line as Louis Stanfill ran it in.
"Obviously we're very disappointed with the result. It was frustrating as we played a lot of good rugby, we dominated field position and possession, but once again like last week we let in three tries from long range turnovers," said Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
"We got punished harshly, as a lot of times when we turned the ball over we had Canada in trouble. So those were big plays that went against us. Our continuity is good, we're playing through a lot of phases. But we're not being clinical enough, turning over the ball at crucial times. It's something we need to fix before we get to New Zealand," he added.
The USA next face Japan in Tokyo, while Canada will travel to Australia.
Time: 10:13
Credit: Thanks once again to bcrugbynews.com for the extended highlights
Posted at 1:26 pm | 49 comments
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Viewing 49 comments
I hate ppl who write August 17, 2011 1:17 pm

Anonymous August 17, 2011 1:21 pm

Anonymous August 17, 2011 1:32 pm

I hate ppl who write August 17, 2011 1:33 pm

Maybe they won't win a game, but entertaining to watch anyway.
"You heard it here first"....I think Canada could beat Japan and/or Tonga and the US are more than up to the task of beating Russia and their non-existant pack...maybe we've heard it here first because no-one else is saying it?
Anonymous August 17, 2011 1:37 pm

Juggernauter August 17, 2011 1:50 pm

I think both teams will hold their own come the World Cup, they have some quality players, like van der Merwe, Pritchard, Cudmore (although he's a bullish thug) for Canada and Ngwenya, Clever an Usasz for the USA.
23 days to the big day lads,can't wait!
Chris August 17, 2011 1:51 pm

The more rugby that is shown in Canada (and the USA) the better!!!
jwitwer August 17, 2011 2:20 pm

canadian content August 17, 2011 2:35 pm

What's your point jackass? I may be bias but I certainly enjoy seeing highlights from beyond the traditional rugby powers.
DTH had an amazing game, never really rated him that high, but he scored a great individual try and totally created the other two.
I also like this Canadian jersey, nice classic look.
I also can't wait to see the US vs Ireland on Sept 11th, the 10th anniversary. This will be a great event, with the American lads sure to be inspired, the Irish (the traditional power I back) better bring their "A" game or we could see another Georgia like result.
Thanks RD, you are my spiritual light.
Anonymous August 17, 2011 2:49 pm

Good core skills at show here and great vision for the little grubber through for the US try.
Only thing holding them back by the seems is fitness, but I'm sure that will develop over time.
Anonymous August 17, 2011 4:51 pm

nw August 17, 2011 4:52 pm

It looks to have some really nice runs, bits of skill, some outstanding pace by Ngwenya (surprise surprise) and a few good tries scores. And the try-saver was a beauty.
I don't really see what Cudmore was penalized for. "Playing without the ball"? If you can't handle the ball in a ruck, and he's rucking an opponent straight out the back, what's the issue? A second row clearing out a scrumhalf... of course they're going to cover some ground! Nothing wrong with it IMO.
Also, Kleeberger's beard is outrageous. Mightiest beard in world rugby. Most beardly.
plarah August 17, 2011 5:00 pm

gf August 17, 2011 5:01 pm

Anonymous August 17, 2011 5:09 pm

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/5/7/1273230858228/Erik-Lund-006.jpg
You just don't get more Viking-like than this bloke
nw August 17, 2011 5:11 pm

But I suppose I could just revise my statement to read: Mightiest beard in international rugby.
As far as google has told me, Strauss plays for the Lions, but not for his country. (Though if his country were Canada, he'd probably be first XV.)
Anonymous August 17, 2011 5:12 pm

Both teams going to get a bum fingering from NZ (as is traditional!)
Anonymous August 17, 2011 5:39 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VudJpH-ytH4&feature=related
Anonymous August 17, 2011 6:45 pm

as for the "NZ-fingering", I wouldn't be so sure... I'd rather say Australia who will play nearly the same game, without the pressure (and Cooper is sooo unpredictable!) they seem to have found a decent pack. or maybe England, for that matter...
what do you guys think about France?
Savage August 17, 2011 8:56 pm

Anonymous August 17, 2011 10:56 pm

Anonymous August 18, 2011 12:25 am

Obviously the typical card happy NH referee! 2 cards within the first 25 minutes!!!!
F*cking NH teams with SA players in the centres! so so weak!
eh oh canada go August 18, 2011 12:42 am

Once again our backs can't tackle...Ngwenya is amazing but we are far too passive with him. Same with that break from Emerick, though not taking anything away from him either, class player.
Clever always did seem to not-so-much live up to his name whenever I've seen him play. Ran mad isolated and gave us that fantastical beard-glory try that Carpenter benefited from (he looks fatter and fatter).
USA looked dusty on the day, but that third try for us is not very typical of Canada to be scoring tries like that, very nice to see.
Anonymous August 18, 2011 12:44 am

Also, he might have felt that Cudmore led with the head (which is technically a cardable offence, even though it happens all the time without censure).
In Cudmore's defence, it didn't look like a ruck was really formed since there weren't any US players on their feet over the ball and it did look like the half back was bridging over the ball. Cudmore probably thought the halfback had joined the ruck and was fair game.
Also, leading with head is rarely punished, it happens alot without anyone worrying.
i love bacon August 18, 2011 1:21 am

I wonder if it's EOS's coaching that has the USA team looking more like a poor version of an Irish side...constantly kicking the ball when they should just fucking use it in hand. Usasz kicks it like he thinks he's O'Leary, and Malifa (we need a flyhalf more than anything, I think) thinks he's Dan Carter or Ronan O'Gara, kicking grubbers every time he gets hands on it.
The one try we got was a fluke and pure luck (and it wasn't even convincing that it was scored). Too many times, there was a clear chance to go on the blindside and score - or at least break the gainline, but Usasz took too long to deliver, or went the wrong way (at which point, Malifa kicked it or someone would knock it on).
If we could get a quality 9 and 10, I think the rest of the pieces will start to fall into place.
The one good quality of the side was that the Eagles poached nearly all Canada's lineouts, so that was a plus indeed. Hopefully, that's something they've got going...and it just wasn't Canada having an off day...
A lot of times, they say that a loss can actually be better than a win because it can be a real motivator and the side can learn from the mistakes they made...well, the US is too many losses down the hole for that to apply. We need a win pretty bad, so I hope they can pull it together against Japan!
Anonymous August 18, 2011 1:43 am

the two issues i saw were finishing in the canada 22 and the muscle play of the forwards. i thought that our try was a poor decision by malifa that worked out, and that too many unsupported forward pick and goes or pops and uncreative backs cost us too many scoring opportunities from 5m out. our lack of pick and drive and ineffective maul are emblematic of the forward pack that will get destroyed by anyone but russia.
thoughts?
Anonymous August 18, 2011 1:44 am

Anonymous August 18, 2011 1:49 am

Mark Lawrence seems to have been frustrated with the rucking. I didn't watch the whole game, so i don't know if he was justified.
I do think that his mate Bryce Lawrence penalised the crap out of Australia on Saturday against South Africa, despite much of the Australian counter rucking being completely legal.
But it's very ahrd as a ref. We get the benefit of slow motion replays of rucks, which we can replay as many times as we like. They have to make snap decisions in seconds while also watching for other infringments like offsides.
Personally I think it would be a decent idea to have a second ref jsut watching the ruck, but I doubt we'll ever see that.
Anonymous August 18, 2011 1:53 am

Anonymous August 18, 2011 1:56 am

dave August 18, 2011 2:04 am

Stubby August 18, 2011 4:13 am

As a fellow Canadian, please STFU.
Rugby is growing in Canada. My daughter is in Calgary right now for the Canadian championships (U18). Her club just did a tour of Wales and Ireland (2W 2L). We are not the best but we try hard (pun intended).
Jogol August 18, 2011 7:31 am

Bokke_2011 August 18, 2011 10:09 am

massive joke by that ref. He should go back to reffing english football instead of messing up rugby games like he always does!
Anonymous August 18, 2011 12:46 pm

Which any Saffer would know, so your probly a troll
Canadian content August 18, 2011 1:06 pm

Savage August 18, 2011 6:44 pm

appart from the daughters nuts comment - which made me squirt tea out of my nose, your not doing your countrymen any favours!
It takes alot more than population size or the presence of a league to turn out good rugby. Argentina are testiment to that - they clearly punch well above their weight. I hope canada does improve its rugby, hopefully as they grow so will you humility.
In the mean time however we will see how you fare against the tiny island nation of tonga, although they do have a huge league system with which gives them an unfare advantage over you.
Anonymous August 18, 2011 8:14 pm

Anonymous August 18, 2011 8:18 pm

Anonymous August 18, 2011 8:20 pm

dave August 18, 2011 8:35 pm

lol @ administrator for taking away my comments, I guess you needed to do that to spare me verbally destroying your viewers ps next time dont wait so long to load the vids, i found them all online in 10 minutes, it took you most of a week. Don't have the site if you cant do your job
Anonymous August 18, 2011 9:00 pm

I am a rugby fan, I can totally appreciate that USA and Canada do not play to the highest standard of other teams that play more often and more regularly... I mean SH teams have Super rugby and some play in the NH, and vice versa... but America and canada are sort of left out.... the other side of the ocean so them not playing as well can be expected... but the intensity is still there, the pride and the heart etc etc... so to knock teams is pathetic...
And as I said I am a rugby fan, but I'd rather see a minnow team come up with some crazy victory in the RWC this year... I really would, I think the level of banter on here as increased and broken passed the banter line into poisonous comments that are said with a vicious tongue, there is very little friendly rugby banter these days, and personally I'd love to see a few big teams get knocked back as it would (hopefully) taken everyone down a notch and make them actually focus on the joys of rugby rather than bitching about little things going on ALL THE FUCKING TIME!
I'm going to root for Argentina... or perhaps France.. I know neither are "minnow teams" but France has never won the RWC.. and Argentina are up and coming and it would be a massive breath of fresh air!!!
Plus the fact the level of bragging would probably go down as English is not the first language in those countries! lol
Guy August 18, 2011 9:40 pm

And Dave: If you don't appreciate the energy and work that the people of RD put into this site, PLEASE SOD OFF TO YOUTUBE AND STAY THERE!!!! What are you doing here anyway if you allready saw the highlights somewhere else????
For the love of God, can they have a weekend off every now and then?!
RugbySkin August 18, 2011 9:57 pm

First off, I thought the Classic and B side matches were fun as heck to watch. Got to see a teammate suit up for the classic Eagles (and walk around the rest of the day in his new USA kit) and the B side match was very exciting.
Another thing was that was one of the few times Infinity Park was sold out. Going from free give away tickets at Churchill Cup to that is pretty amazing for a USA match.
As for the play, Canada had some flaws but it sure wasn't their defense. The Eagles had a rough time getting anywhere, and when they did, they had someone come up and tackle them good. But the rucks for the Eagles were amazing (altho I think Canada let a lot of them go to get more men on the defensive line) and the Line Outs were all but flawless.
Great game from both sides. me and my club were there and are very excited to see some more. GO QUINS!
Chief Financial Sham August 19, 2011 7:44 pm

i love bacon August 19, 2011 10:20 pm

And yeah, he's definitely one of the best we've got playing for the Eagles.
It's a sad truth, but I wonder if he ever thinks about the fact that his club side could probably beat his national side by a good 20 points, considering how many French players are at BO.
He, Clever, Emerick, and Wyles are probably the best 4 we've got - and they all play(ed) at top club sides overseas.
Either way, steps forward in US rugby is always a good thing...so the more players we've got playing in Europe/SH competitions, the better.














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