130322 NACRA Info Page for March 22, 2013

NACRA INFORMATION PAGE
March 22, 2013
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THE PICTURE
Tom Jones posted this picture and its provenance in a long-past Info Page, but some
stories, like old Rugby jerseys, should be dusted off and enjoyed from time to time.
If you look closely or enlarge the picture, you will identify Richie McCaw, Luke
McAllister and Carl Hayman as they play…soccer! This was Rugby World Cup 2007,
and NZ had just tallied a cricket score against Portugal-108 to 13. But Portugal were
proud to the end, fighting just as hard in the dying moments as they did at kickoff.
They clearly earned the respect of the All-Blacks, as the tournament favourites (spoiler
alert-NZ lost in the quarter-finals) joined Portugal in their dressing room to kick their
feet up and enjoy that most precious of rewards after a game of Rugby - camaraderie.
And they agreed to go out on the field again to play a game of soccer. It was an eyeopener for many, as the massive and fit NZ team lost 3-0 (disputed result) to the
Portuguese men that had clearly spent more of their childhood playing the round-ball
version than the Kiwis.
After that World Cup, the Portuguese Rugby community took the lessons learned
about Rugby, their opponents and themselves and have made notable progress,
especially in Men’s Sevens, as indicated by today’s victory over Scotland in Hong Kong.
I can’t think of another sport where the world’s best team would join their opponents
post-match for a good-natured round of a different sport. The All-Blacks might not
have been good at soccer, but they were top-shelf at the spirit of the game.
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INFO PAGE UPDATE
My apologies for the lapse in Info Pages. March has been devoted so far to recovering
from a laptop crash, and I just now up again with all the Info Page addresses (hopefully).
We’re still looking
NACRA Info Page –March 22, 2013
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NEWS FROM THE HONG KONG SEVENS
Tonight (in North America), day two of the Hong Kong Sevens will start. The NACRA
Region has five teams involved; Canada in the women’s competition, Jamaica and
Mexico in the men’s pre-qualifying tournament, and the USA and Canada in the men’s
Sevens World Series event. News below. Day one highlights on Youtube at
http://t.co/qRCep2vBWs
CANADA WOMEN SHUT OUT OPPOSITION
from www.rugbycanada.ca
Canada's Women's Sevens Team finished the Hong Kong Sevens Tournament with a
perfect 4-0 record, outscoring their opponents 144-0 en route to capturing the
Championship.
After this victory, Canada will now move on to Guangzhou, China to prepare for next
weekend’s third leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series where Canada will face
Ireland, Japan and, once again, Australia in pool-play.
Game One: Canada 33 – 0 Hong Kong
Canada opened the tournament with an impressive 33-0 victory over the hosts from
Hong Kong. Cheryl Phillips scored Canada’s third try before the first half to give John
Tait’s side a 19-0 lead at half. Both teams exchanged possession in the early going of
the second frame before Canada’s Karen Paquin scooped up a loose ball near Hong
Kong’s 22-metre line on the right side before running in for the score. On the final
whistle Phillips scored her second try of the match under the post to seal the 33-0
victory.
Game 2: Canada 54 – 0 Japan
In their second match of the day, Canada exploded for eight tries to defeat Japan 54-0.
Eight different players touched down in the victory: Mandy Marchak, Magali Harvey,
Julianne Zussman, Jen Kish, Kelly Russell, Amanda Thornborough, Ghislaine Landry
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and Karen Paquin. With the wins against the hosts and Japan, Canada finished atop
Pool C and advanced to the Cup Semi Final against France.
Game 3: Cup Semi Final - Canada 28 – 0 France
With a chance to compete in the Cup Finals in front of 40,000 fans at Hong Kong
Stadium on the line, Canada stepped up against a very physical French side to win 280 and remain perfect through three games. Canada’s Julianne Zussman had two tries in
the game and Ashley Steacy continued her solid tournament performance to add
another.
Game 4: Cup Final – Canada 29 – 0 Australia
The finals saw Canada move to the main event at Hong Kong Stadium in front of a
passionate crowd of 40,000 to take on their familiar foes from Australia. Canada’s
Ashley Steacy opened the scoring before Ghislaine Landry took control of the game
and scored three straight tries. Quebec’s Karen Paquin sealed the victory with a late try
for Canada.
What coach John Tait had to say:
"We were due for a solid performance and a lot of work went into the preparation for
this tournament. It was a very complete game where we not only dominated in the
contact but starved Australia of possession. It was a perfectly executed game plan and
a great team performance. Landry was back with the squad for the first time since
Dubai and her 3 tries were huge for the team in the 29-0 win," said Canada head coach,
John Tait.
Editors Note: I apologize for the gaps in scoring names and information; the live
stream was unavailable for parts of the day and the official Hong Kong website does not
have scoring details.
Canadian National Women’s Sevens Roster
Name(Club) (Hometown)
Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois Rivieres, QC
Jessica Dovanne, (Velox Rugby Club) Victoria, BC
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Jennifer Kish, Captain (Edmonton Rockers RFC) Edmonton, AB
Ghislaine Landry, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Cheryl Phillips, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Scarborough, ON
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Ashley Steacy, (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB
Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Competing in Hong Kong as members of the International Barbarians:
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Megan Gibbs, (Markham Irish) Barrie, ON
Non-Travelling Reserves
Julia Greenshields, (Sarnia Saints RFC) Sarnia, ON
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
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Coaches and Staff
John Tait, Head Coach, National Women’s Sevens
Sandro Fiorino, Assistant Coach, National Women’s Sevens
Tyler Goodale, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Meaghan Howat, National Women’s Manager
Brad Curry, Physiotherapist
CANADA MEN OFF TO STRONG START IN HONG KONG
http://t.co/qRCep2vBWs
Canada opened their Pool D account at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament with a
scintillating 31-7 success against Spain, which included five well-taken tries.
Taylor Paris (2), Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke all crossed the
whitewash in what was a confident showing that moves Canada level on points with Fiji,
who overcame host nation Hong Kong 36-0 in the tournament's opening game.
Geraint John's men are eager to consolidate their position amongst the leading nations
in the IRB World Sevens Series and on this performance they took the first step in
doing just that as they mixed power with expansive rugby on Friday.
The result is an exact replica of Canada's most previous meeting with Spain in
Wellington and it took only a minute and 21 seconds to get the ball rolling when - after
Conor Trainor had pressurized the Spanish in their own 22 - the Europeans were forced
to grubber out of their red zone. That allowed injury returnee Duke to dive on the ball,
slip a tackle and find the busy Paris who finished well wide out.
Spain soon struck back, however, and in fact took the lead with four minutes gone after
Hearn spilled possession on his own 22-meter area. The ball kindly popped into the
hands of the onrushing Pedro Martin, who ran in before converting his try.
Canada, competing in their change jersey, needed to regroup if they were to start the
sixth leg of the World Series with a victory. And they managed to steady the ship when
Hearn atoned for his earlier mishap by finishing well after taking a smart drop-off pass
from prop Tyler Ardron. That made it 12-7 to Canada at half-time.
The first score following the break was always going to be critical and Canada
confidently moved up through the gears in the second period, which will delight John.
Three further tries were scored in all as the team entertained the crowd.
Hirayama was first on the board after the interval when an interchange with Hearn from
a five-meter scrum led to him scampering over for the full seven points.
Series sharpshooter Duke then joined the scoring list in what was arguably the pick of
the tries. His breakout from deep in Canada's half saw him race down the left wing into
the opposition 22 before being brought to ground. However, the wing wasn't held and
promptly got to his feet to finish what he had started. The score was now 24-7 with twoand-a-half minutes remaining in an entertaining match.
Canada were not done there though and when replacement Chauncey O'Toole showed
his considerable strength to bounce off three tacklers on the right wing before finding
Paris on the touchline, the Ontario man strolled over for his brace that finished the job
and gave Canada the perfect start to events in Hong Kong.
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Canada’s Roster for Hong Kong and Japan - (Club, CRC Team) Hometown
Tyler Ardron - (Brantford Harlequins/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
Nanyak Dala - (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK (captain)
Justin Douglas - (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
Sean Duke - (UVic Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Mike Fuailefau - (Castaway Wanderers/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
Ciaran Hearn - (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Nathan Hirayama - (UVic Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Harry Jones - (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
John Moonlight - (James Bay Athletic Association/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Chauncey O’Toole - (Brigend Ravens/Atlantic Rock) Belleisle, NB
Taylor Paris - (Glasgow Warriors/Ontario Blues) Barrie, ON
Conor Trainor - Hong Kong Only (Western University/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Added for Tokyo / Japan:
Thyssen de Goede - Japan Only (James Bay Athletic Association/BC Bears)
Courtenay, BC
Head Coach: Geraint John
Assistant Coach: Kieran Crowley
Manager: Brian Hunter
Therapist: Isabel Grondin
Canada’s National Senior Men’s Sevens Team is proudly sponsored by Macquarie Financial,
Trafigura and Own the Podium with Support from Sport Canada.
USA MEN NARROWLY LOSE TO KENYA
The Men’s Eagles Sevens fell just short of a winning start in the IRB HSBC Sevens
World Series’ Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong Sevens early Friday, losing to Kenya
17-14 in Pool B play.
The Eagles fell behind early after Kenya’s Dennis Ombachi picked up the ball kicked
behind the Eagles’ Carlin Isles and beat the American sprinter into the try zone. Biko
Adema kicked the conversion for the 7-0 lead.
Long-time Eagles Sevens player Shalom Suniula started the game for the Eagles and
forced a knock-on for an early turnover. In the fourth minute however, he had Isles in
mind when he kicked the ball hard downfield from near the Kenyan try line. With Isles
and a defender in a footrace, Isles kicked it downfield several more meters before
falling behind. Kenya had the ball in hand but Isles forced a fumble and caught the ball
perfectly on the bounce to take it in for the try between the posts. To bring it full circle,
Suniula kicked the conversion from in front.
First-half kickoffs were tough for the Eagles. Kenya recovered the first three kickoffs
and used them to take the lead. After Isles’ try, Kenya took almost no time at all to
regain the lead by switching play and catching the Eagles out of position. It was
Ombachi again who scored, but the Eagles caught a break after Adema missed the
conversion.
Zach Test won the ensuing kick-off, but the Eagles could not capitalize before the end
of the half. Colin Hawley almost fumbled possession after a tackle from Kenya and
finally lost the ball in the ruck. Isles made a tackle to help force the end of the half
before Kenya could add another try.
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The Eagles had two giveaways to Kenya’s one in the first half, mainly resulting from the
lack of movement and going into touch so often.
Suniula showed his experience early in the second half by saving a certain try in the
opening minute. The Eagles should have recovered the kickoff, but were a bit out of
position and allowed the Kenyan ball-carrier to break through to Suniula.
Luke Hume followed up Suniula’s try-saving tackle with one of his own in the ninth
minute, this time in the try zone. Kenya was awarded a scrum a few meters out, and
forced the ball wide to Isles’ side of the field. Isles missed his tackle and Ombachi ran
around Hume for the try and 17-7 lead, unfair to the Eagles’ defense.
Hawley turned the ball over again during the Eagles’ next possession, but Edwards
recovered in a broken play. Showing great ball movement in the midfield, Hawkins,
Hume and Test set up the overload on the sideline to put Hawkins in for the try. Folau
Niua nailed the kick to bring the score to 17-14.
The Eagles kept Kenya out of the try zone for the remainder of the match, but failed to
move the ball down the field when possession was gained. Niua played good defense
after a Kenya kick to retain possession, but not enough ball movement stuttered the
offense and forced a couple of scrums.
With the clock wound down, Kenya could have easily ended the game with a kick to
touch, but the ball stayed in-bounds deep in the Eagles end. Though the Eagles had
two more chances to win possession, one penalty and a lack of movement allowed
Kenya to hold onto their slim lead for a 1-0 record to start Hong Kong Sevens.
The ability to score two tries and convert each will be motivating for the Eagles, though
they will have to do better in open play against New Zealand and France if they want to
reach the Cup round.
The Eagles’ will attempt to get back on track against France at 10:50 P.M. ET Friday.
Follow the USA Rugby Twitter account and IRB Sevens Twitter account for updates
from the largest round of the Sevens World Series.
JAMAICA MEN PICK UP SPEED IN SECOND HALF
An article about the Jamaica and Brazil sides can be found here:
http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1195627/jamaica-brazil-ready-sing-and-dance-hong-kong-sevens
The following is from the irbsevens live blog at www.irbsevens.com/liveblog/blogid=1820.html,
Georgia win it 27-17, but that doesn't begin to tell the story of the second half.
Jamaica were down to five men at one stage, with two in the bin, but still managed to
score three good tries, after Georgia had extended their lead. The Jamaica comeback
coincided with moving the ball wider, but it was too little too late.
Half-Time and Georgia lead 15-0 over Jamaica. Jamaica are being overrun at the
breakdown so are going to have to find a way to manouevre the Georgians around in
the second half.
And from the live blog http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1197140/hong-kong-sevens-live-blog-day-1
6.40 Georgia 27 Jamaica 17 Biggest cheer of the day so far as Joseph Shae goes
over for Jamaica's first ever #HK7s try. Unfortunately that just made it 22-5, and
Georgia went over shortly afterwards, Jamaicans bouncing off an unflustered Viktor
Kolelishvili. Everton Richards (wonder what team his da supported?) then showed great
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skill to go over for Jamaica, eluding tackles on a run from midfield to make it 27-12, and
Kenneth Hepburn got another right on the hooter.
Jamaica definitely not out of their depth in the lower-tier competition. Them against
Brazil should be a fun game.
16.29pm HT Georgia 15 Jamaica 0 Irakli Machkaneli (glad I'm doing text commentary
and not speech) with the opening two tries, over in either corner. Chunky looking fella
but got pace. Tedore Zibzibadze (blimey) with a third at the whistle.
MEXICO STRUGGLE AGAINST STRONG ZIMBABWE SIDE
From www.irbsevens.com/liveblog/blogid=1820.html,
Zimbabwe score three more second half tries to win it 27-0 over Mexico. Mexico had a
few chances late on, but kicked when they were well placed.
Zimbabwe's Tafadzwa Chitokwindo scores one and sets up another as Zimbabwe take
a 15-0 half time lead over Mexico.
Zimbabwe's nous proving too much for Mexico at the moment as they lead 5-0 early on.
From http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1197140/hong-kong-sevens-live-blog-day-1
16.20pm Zimbabwe 27 Mexico 0. Well that was pretty easy in Pool G for the Africans,
who are much more experienced than Mexico.
Tafadzwa Chitokwindo (try saying that three times fast) went over early on, then set up
Daniel Hondo, before Kilvan Magunje eluded a couple of tackles and went under the
post for a 15-0 half-time lead.
I, um, missed the fourth try fiddling with our live blog (top pro), but Njabulo Ndlovu (any
relation to former Coventry striker Peter? Almost certainly not) got the fifth. After that,
Zimbabwe eased off a bit.
Cheetahs, for that is Zimbabwe's nickname, are African champs and on their sixth visit
to HK.
Spoke to Mexico's coach Simon Pierre earlier this week. Kiwi went to Mexico to visit his
girlfriend for a few months, ended up coaching, five years later here he is in HK. Big
ambitions to be a pro coach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Actively yours
Scott Harland
Regional Development Officer
North America Caribbean Rugby Association
www.nacrugby.com
Listen to Total Rugby the Radio Show every week. Go to
http://www.irb.com/mm/Audio/Home/TotalRugbyRadio/02/04/13/30/2041330_HI-AUD.wma
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