The Latest
Representative Action Ramps Up
Our Man in the Middle - Raymondo Barkwill Canada, the lowest ranked of a “mid-group” of nations (#17), embarks on an ambitious RWC build up tomorrow when they take on #13 ranked, Japan in San Jose in Pacific Nations Cup action. The game can be viewed at www.worldrugby.org. Kick-off 5:00 p.m....
A Tragedy in the Rugby Community
It seems like an age since this morning's blog post, welcoming Wallington Grammar School and the excitement of Thursday's match for our boys. Tonight we have the very sad announcement that the team has returned to the U.K. following an accident that occured during a scheduled swim at...
Monday's Musings
Medal Mania at Pan Am's. Canada’s Women’s Sevens second home-soil appearance for this season, was pure gold as they routed the U.S., 55 – 7 to win the first-ever Women’s Pan Am title. The side surrendered only a mere nineteen points over six games in the competition. One simply cannot find...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
CW Men's Coaching Team for the Coming Season CW’s President, Don Swainson, has announced the coaching team for men’s rugby for the coming season. Don offers; “We are pleased with the strength of our coaching and management staff. We also have good numbers of returning elite players and...
Monday's Musings
CRC’s MAC TIER CUP CHAMPS Prairie Fire and CW’s, Adam Bontus Hoists the Trophy High Despite it being “old news” we will offer our two bits on the recent CRC Championship. Congratulations to the Prairie Fire who knocked off four time winners of the MacTier Cup, Ontario Blues, 33 – 25. Under...
Welcome to B.C. Rugby, Annabel Kehoe
The British Columbia Rugby Union Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Annabel Kehoe as the new Chief Executive Officer of BC Rugby. Prior to joining BC Rugby, Kehoe was the Director of Business Development at Rowing Canada Aviron, where she was tasked with...
A Kiwi-kinda' Day
In the world of rugby (aka known as football), there are few countries that do it better than the small Island nation of New Zealand. Yesterday bore witness to that success once again with the Highlanders beating N.S.W.’s Waratahs, 35 – 17; the Hurricanes beating Canberra’s Brumbies, 29 – 9;...
Friday Fun Facts
Where in the world is Jake? A noted absence from the B.C. Bears announced squad for CRC’s was the name of Jake Ilnicki. Transpires, that with a little bit of sleuthing via Riley, we found him turning up as a regular front row starter with Sydney’s oldest established First Grade club,...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Growing the Game Photo, CW’s, 'Yak' (Nanyak Dala) and 'Puck' (Derek Daypuck) pictured, “giving back”. Rugby Canada recently posted the fact that the game of rugby is growing in leaps and bounds, although this may be hard to fathom when clubs are having trouble (CW included) finding numbers...
Monday's Musings
BCRU AGM: The AGM has been and gone. We did a little digging and found it was rather poorly attended, e.g. only three VIRU clubs being represented in person; Fraser Valley having only one club represented in person and proxy votes being the order of the day. Not a great idea to have this...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
CW Women Show the Way This past weekend, CW women created club history when they entered in the Abby Sevens, not only playing but taking top honors with convincing wins over Burnaby, Meralomas and Bobcats, a Velox amalgam, in the 1st/2nd place match! Wow! Heady stuff! Following this triumph,...
Game on! Castaway Wanderers launch Senior Women�s program for 2015-16 season
Oak Bay – Today, Castaway Wanderers Rugby Union Football Club (CW) President Don Swainson announced the storied club will field a senior women’s team for the upcoming 2015/2016 season. Interest in girl’s and women’s rugby has never been stronger. With last year’s unbelievable accomplishment...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Mack Makes Miraculous Return Rugby Canada has announced its fourteen for Charlotte this weekend at the NACRA Sevens Olympics Qualifying Tourney. The return of Phil Mack is ever so heartening and we all hope that his rehabilitation is permanent and secure. What an athlete this man is, despite...
Moonlight's Men
Captain, John Moonlight will lead the following team in the NACRA Sevens Tournament, Saturday and Sunday upcoming. Tyler Ardron, Connor Braid, Justin Douglas, Sean Duke, Mike Fuailefau, Jeff Hassler, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Phil Mack, Taylor Paris, Conor Trainor and...
Monday's Musings
Pyke Tops the Ton in Aussie Rules The former Canadian rugby international played his 100th game on Saturday when Sydney faced Gold Coast. The Swans, in second place, swamped their NSW neighbours by some fifty points. Steve Taubert, a former Swans ruckman and current coach, admits when he...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Oh to be…… ……………a fly on the wall. The upcoming BCRU AGM, June 21st will see as its central issue debate and voting on the following, very cleverly, word-smithed motion, relating to the inclusion of Seattle Saracens in the CDI Premier League for the 2015/16 season. The gist of the motion...
Monday's Musings
Weekend Recap Canada’s DTH Van Der Merwe went seventy minutes with Glasgow Warriors (no bench-warming this week!) and pitched in with yet another tally in post-season, when they upset Munster 31 – 13 in the Final of the Pro12 League. DTH has scored two beauties in the playoffs and the...
Bits & Pieces
Best wishes to the VIRU Crimson Tide who take on a predominantly Burnaby Lake side, representing the Fraser Valley today @ 2:30 @ Windsor Park. There will be a strong smattering of Tricolors in the side – Braddock, Evans, Ilnicki, Allen, and both Hortons – a meteoric rise for young Teagan –...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
UNSUNG HERO – ON THE FIELD Nathan Oliver Plenty of rugby afoot but none on the CW front. The Ruggernut recently caught up with club MVP, Nate Oliver and got the skinny on his presence with CW rugby. This “Mighty Mite’s” yellow head gear can be spotted anywhere on the field where the hard...
Monday's Omission and Apology
We mentioned Parish's game winner yesterday but failed to mention a terrific winger's finish, following a two-man "miss" pass and eight hard yards to pull a massive upset for Glasgow Warriors over a heavily favored Ulster. DTH was the culprit, coming off the bench and adding to a very...
Monday's Musings
Can't get enough! The euphoria continues…. heady stuff for Canadian women with Paquin and Landry being voted on the Dream Team from Amsterdam. The Women’s Series season All Star Team has Paquin and Steacy on it as well. Congratulations to these three ladies, specifically and their team...
Done Deal - Women Qualify!
Superlatives by the sackful for Canada Women’s Sevens! Tournament win over the Aussies to be unbeaten in this event, #2 overall finish to Series, Rio bound, Landry points leader, solidifying her place at top of points overall….. What a finish to Amsterdam. A great, PACKED stadium, full...
CW TENS
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Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
A note of "good luck" to Canada's U20 men who play an explosive Tongan side in semi final action today in Portugal. Winner will go for "promotion" to the Tier One Tourney. Go, Canada! Tip of the cap to the Junior Barbs who won the South Island comp yesterday with a 50 - 43 fest of points...