CANADA QUALIFIES FOR 2011 WORLD CUP WITH 41-18 WIN

Canada and USA name sides for final leg of World Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton

12-6 Loss to USA: Poor Performance by Canada

TWO GAME SERIES WILL BOOK ONE SPOT AT 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP: CANADA ANNOUNCES LINEUP

Full Time Canada 56 - USA 7: Canada is in the World Cup

Canada leads 27-0 at half time

One hour to game time and the tension is growing

Pre-game report: Weather's fine and the beer is flowing well

Rugby Canada Press Releaseposted July 12 2009The Canadian Senior Men’s Team stunned the USA Eagles on Saturday afternoon taking the second leg of their World Cup qualifying series by a score of 41-18.After their narrow defeat a week ago in Charleston, South Carolina the Canadians rebounded to overcome a six-point deficit in front of their home crowd at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton.The pressure was on as the July 4th loss was the first they’d suffered to their southern neighbours in nearly five years.The spirited Canucks dressed in their retro reds made no mistake on Saturday as James Pritchard powered them to an early ten-point lead.As the home side built their momentum, a costly red card offence by Paul Emerick had the Americans feeling the pressure as they failed to dominate the set piece, a crucial aspect of their win in Charleston.Emerick was spotted kicking DTH van der Merwe who was lying on the ground after a tackle – and was sent to off after referee Allan Lewis conferred with his Argentine assistant referees.Adam Kleeberger made his presence known at no. 8 filling in for the injured Aaron Carpenter as he left a path of destruction en route to the American try line.Justin Mensah-Coker would cross over shortly after and as Pritchard hit his groove the Americans quickly found themselves down 24 points heading into the half.While the tourists gradually found their rhythm, the ruthless Canadian offence always had an answer.Tim Usasz put the visitors on the board but two minutes late Ed Fairhurst split the American line going over for a 29-3 lead.A series of exciting phases resulted in Kevin Swiryn going over to narrow the lead 31-8 as last week’s Man of the Match Mike Hercus slotted five points through the uprights.There was no chance of a reverse in the cards, however as Canada fought on to secure their spot in the 2011 World Cup. DTH van der Merwe and youngster Matt Evans were next to slice through the American line to put their side up 41-13.Van der Merwe’s try was a beautifully crafted as Ander Monro spotted space on the left wing and hit a perfectly weighted kick to replacement flanker Chauncey O’Toole who offloaded as soon as he received it giving the Saskatchewan wing a one metre trip across the line for his fourth try of 2009.With five minutes on the clock the Americans were on the war path but a last minute try by their fearless Captain Todd Clever was all the side could muster up as they went down 41-18.“We let ourselves down last weekend and didn’t come to play the game,” Canadian Coach Kieran Crowley said after match. “It’s been a long weekend and we wanted to put things right and we have been waiting for this day so I am pretty happy.”The win sees Canada qualify as the North America first seed in Pool A of the 2011 World Cup where they’ll take on New Zealand, France, Tonga and the top seed from Asia.The match was also a proud moment for Glasgow Warrior Kevin Tkachuk who earned his 50th cap this afternoon.“The crowd was fantastic but more importantly the boys were fantastic,” the veteran prop said of today’s crucial victory. “Last week we embarrassed ourselves down in Charleston and this week we had to play better and I think we did that.”The USA must now play Uruguay home and away in the next few months to qualify as the Americas Two zone qualifier.ScoringCanadaTries: James Pritchard, Adam Kleeberger, Justin Mensah-Coker, EdFairhurst, DTH van der Merwe, Matt EvansConversions: James Pritchard (4)Penalty: James PritchardUSATries: Kevin Swiryn, Todd CleverConversion: Mike HercusPenalties: Mike Hercus (2)Canada vs USA1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)3. Dan Pletch (Oakville Crusaders/Lucan, ON)4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)7. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)8. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)Replacements16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/Lucan, ON)17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)18. Chauncey O’Toole (Castaway Wanderers/Belle Isle, NB)19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)20. Bryn Keys (Moseley RFC/Abbotsford, BC)21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)Rugby Canada Press Releaseposted July 10 2009Canada has named its side to face the USA in the second leg of the home and home Rugby World Cup Qualifying series – and like the States there are very few changes in the lineups for the match that takes place at 1:30PM Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton this Saturday.Only Aaron Carpenter, who broke his arm in the 12-6 loss to the USA last week, is out of the Canadian lineup, with Adam Kleeberger moving from the flanker spot to No. 8. Nanyak Dala will start, working with Jebb Sinclair in the feisty back row setup.The Americans made no changes to their starting fifteen – making only a replacements change – with Joe Welch backing up hooker Chris Biller this week .The USA holds a slim six point margin going into this qualifying match, meaning that Canada must win by seven or more to hope to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in this round.Failure to do so means a rugged home and home series against Uruguay in August and September.At a press conference in Edmonton on Thursday, neither coach believed the other was concerned about the points difference.“If we went into a game thinking that six points would be enough to see us through we would be laughed off the park, “ said USA coach Eddie O’Sullivan.His counterpart, Canadian coach Kieran Crowley agreed.“It is a test match and we need to win it outright,” he said. “If it gets down to the last twenty minutes and we need a specific number of points we look at it at that point, but until then it is like any other game.”Canadian team Captain Pat Riordan, when asked about the 18 degree temperature difference between last weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, and the cool temperatures in Edmonton, he admitted the boys are preferring the Alberta climate – but notes, “as far as I know its nice and cool for the USA as well – so it is not much of a factor.”Riordan says the new attacking style of rugby Canada has been playing should net some positive results."I think creative is the right way to look at it," Riordan said. "We've got some speed and we like to play a fairly attacking type of rugby."In the past, we were a bit more conservative. We kind of got away from that a bit last week and that's why we didn't have the success we were looking for."Canada vs USA1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)3. Dan Pletch (Oakville Crusaders/Lucan, ON)4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)7. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)8. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)Replacements16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/Lucan, ON)17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)18. Chauncey O’Toole (Castaway Wanderers/Belle Isle, NB)19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)20. Bryn Keys (Moseley RFC/Abbotsford, BC)21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)StaffHead Coach: Kieran CrowleyAssistant Coach: John TaitSkills Coach: Morgan WilliamsStrength and Conditioning: Tyler GoodaleVideo Analyst: Peter HuigenbosMedical Therapist: Mike RecineMassage Therapist: Sadie DeschenesMedical: Dr. ShelbyManager: Rodger SwanyCommunications Manager: Doug CrosseUSA Team to Face Canada1. Mate Moekiola (Park City Haggis)2. Chris Biller (California)3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)5. Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)6. Louis Stanifill (New York Athletic Club)7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) ©8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)9. Tim Usasz (Nottngham RFC)10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)15. Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)Replacements16. Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)19. JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town)20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore)22. Salesi Sika (Castres Olympique)Coach Eddie O’Sullivan[ed. comments below]osted July 4 2009Full Time ReportProbably one of the poorest performances by Canada in a world cup qualifying match. Coach Crowley will now have to answer to the Canadian rugby public for the lack of offensive punch on the team. The only acceptable answer is an emphatic +6 win in Edmonton next weekend. Canada looked anaemic in almost every aspect of the game, being out hustled in loose play, in the contact area and if the Americans didn't knock on a number of scoring opportunities the damage could be a lot worse going into game two. Several players were suffering and should have been subbed well before they were, in particular Ed Fairhurst at scrum half who was at odds, justifiably so, with the Irish referee who was allowing the American loose forwards to come offside at rucks and scrums. Regardless you have to adapt to the refereeing and he was taking way too long to set up the plays. Enter Phil Mack with 10 minutes left but that decision should have been made 20 minutes earlier. A very poor performance, the honeymoon is over and now it's accountability time.Adam Kleeberger as usual was one of the bright lights giving everything and trying to infuse some life into the Canadian game.Half Time ReportA game played in intense heat is producing a very mediocre game so far. A drop goal and penalty for USA and two penalty goals for Canada. There was rumour of the flu bug making the rounds and the Canadian players look like their operating at about 80%. There are no standout performances so far and a lot mistakes. Hopefully better news in the second half.[ed. if you scroll down below this story you'll see the reports I filed from St. John's Newfoundland in August 2006 in the previous RWC qualifier between these nations. Canada won 56-7 so expectations will be high for this two game series. The first game is being televised on TSN this Saturday at 1pm PT from South Carolina courtesy of USA Rugby and ESPN, the second game in Edmonton is not being televised.]Rugby Canada Press Releaseposted July 2 2009With five games down in the 2009 season it is fair to say Coach Kieran Crowley has a firm handle on who is his team is and what he thinks they are capable of heading into this weekend’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against the USA in sweltering Charleston, South Carolina. It is the first of a two game, home and away series with the next leg taking place in Edmonton on July 11th.Crowley has had his team on the go since the first week of May when they met to prepare for a match against Ireland in Vancouver – followed by a test match against Wales in Toronto. While those were both losses the team improved immensely from the first week to the second week – and that had a lot to do with the opening win of the Churchill Cup against Georgia in Denver, Colorado – a 42-10 victory that propelled Canada two ratings points on the International Rugby Board rankings to 13th place.“It’s time together and knowing the systems and those sorts of things,” explains Crowley on the team’s development over the past few weeks. “And coming together as far as how we want to play. Obviously there is a certain way we want to play against the States and we have been working hard on that in the (meeting) room as well as out on the field.”“It’s also being able to adapt to different things each week and you have to change your lineout calls each week because of all the analysis that takes place.All of the games – including hard fought efforts against Ireland A and the Argentina Jaguars to close the Churchill tournament, were dress rehearsals for this key home and away series against the arch rival Eagles. Win this two game totalpoint series – and the reward is a spot as the Americas 1 winner – in a pool with Tonga, New Zealand , France and the top Asian qualifier, likely Japan .Lose and it is a difficult home and away series against Uruguay and likely placement in Pool C of the World Cup with Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier ,With that in mind he has selected his first twenty-two man squad weighing his options against the solid performances he has seen in the past seven weeks.One of the clear contenders to have cemented a starting spot has been DTH van der Merwe – the former wing who has found a new home in the centres – this weekend playing outside veteran Ryan Smith. Van der Merwe has been a polished performer – scoring two tries against Argentina and also getting a solo effort against Georgia.Smith, in particular, is pleased to have a player of van der Merwe’s ability on his shoulder.“DTH goes quite well,” said Smith. “He is fast and he is fit. It makes it easy for inside backs when you have guys that can run lines off of you like that.”He also has his big partnership of Tyler Hotson and Mike Burak in the engine room – giving him a stable lineout platform.In the front row Canada welcomes back Kevin Tkachuk for his 48th start – the Glasgow Warrior player back from a slight leg knock at the Churchill Cup. Pat Riordan will Captain the side from the hooker spot and Dan Pletch wins his 20thCap at tight-head prop.In the back row Crowley has lost the services of Stan McKeen’s size in the lineup, with the Oxford law student suffering a calf injury this week. Jebb Sinclair – who made his debut as a second row against Argentina at the Churchill Cup, will return to his favoured flanker spot and will work with the outstanding Adam Kleeberger. Aaron Carpenter doggedly hangs onto the No. 8 jersey for a fifth straight week, showing he is deserving of his first pro contract at Coventry after the summer series concludes.Ed Fairhurst is the scrum-half working with Ander Monro and making his 46th test appearance. Monro has emerged as the man for the job in the out-half spot- and he will distribute to Smith and van der Merwe – with Justin Mensah-Coker and Matt Evans locking down the wing spots.Evans had four tries in three games at the Churchill Cup and has put his hand up as one of several young players that will most certainly figure into the very 2011 World Cup they are qualifying for now – and beyond.The front row is heavy with front row cover as a hot day is expected to be taxing on the big men – with Frank Walsh, Mike Pletch and Andrew Tiedemann all holding down replacement spots.Stu Ault and Nanyak Dala are second row/back row cover respectively with Phil Mack and Ciaran Hearn expected to slot into the back line with some on field movements allowing for total coverage.The match will be available for viewing live on TSN - 4 PM EST - 1 PM PST on Saturday.Canada vs USA1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON)4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry RFC/Brantford, ON)9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)Replacements16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London, ON)17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)18. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD)19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)20. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)StaffHead Coach: Kieran CrowleyAssistant Coach: John TaitSkills Coach: Morgan WilliamsStrength and Conditioning: Tyler GoodaleVideo Analyst: Peter HuigenbosPhysiotherapist: Mike RacineMassage Therapist: Sadie DeschenesMedical: Dr. Ken ArthurManager: Rodger SwanyCommunications Manager: Doug Crosseposted Aug 12 2006James Pritchard scored three second half tries along with one by Derek Daypuck to leave the hapless Americans red-faced by the end of the game. So 7 tries, 3 penalties and 6 conversions, a record win by the Canadian team in qualifying.It was a total dominating victory by the Canadians, similar to the drubbings that Canada sometime receive at the hand of European professional teams. Well today they were the professionals. It was a game never in doubt. Snow and Tkachuk were awesome in the front row, when Pletch and Cooke came in later in the game the scrum wasn't the same.The coaching staff stayed with their original players as long as possible while the Americans substituted freely sensing the game was over. Near the end of the second half Snow was finally given a rest, and another local hero, Mike Webb, was subbed in. Lawson replaced Riordan and Fairhurst replaced Pyke, while Daypuck replaced Munro who took a hard knock.The French referee was letting little things go by the end of the game or the score could have been higher. The Newfoundland crowd were certainly a factor and heckled the American players at every turn. Much will be written about this game but it was a one-sided affair. Those who questioned Pritchard's inclusion will have to re-think their platform as he was the consumate professional jumping on every loose ball and turning every little mistake into a try.Well done Canada, it's on to George St. tonight and the video perhaps tomorrow.Cheers from Newfoundland,The EditorScores by Rod Snow, Sean Michael Stephen and Ryan Smith with Pritchard perfect on the conversions and two penalties for a 27-0 scoreline at half.Ryan Smith got sent off before the half so Canada starts with 14 men and has to concentrate as the game is not over yet. Excellent cross defence by the Canadians held the American backs in check and the Canadian forwards are handling their southern counterparts.Offloading in the tackle was the key in a couple of the Canadian tries and it all seemed too easy for the Canucks. It's a new game in the second half and Canada will have to come out just as intense.The teams are out for their pre-game warmup and the bar is bustling. The Web Ellis trophy is here but they're waiting for the IRB officials to show up. There is a Japanese video crew here, I couldn't get a good idea of what they're doing with the video but they have high end equipment but alas a poor grasp of the English language. They're doing video highlights only though. The weather remains stable and it looks as if it will be a cracker of a game.It's about one and half hours before kickoff and the crowds are pouring in. Already several commercial businesses have been set aside for overflow parking. Having a media pass I am sipping free Guinness at the bar, life is hard sometimes. Karl Fix is bellying up to the bar beside me.No word yet on whether the Webb Ellis trophy has found its way here. There are armed security guards and more alikadoos than you can shake a stick at. Pre-game rugby at its best.There's also a display area for the million dollar sports facility to be built at the Swiler's complex and which Rod Snow will be overseeing. Rugby seems to be doing very well in St. John's.More to come....