....A Good Show It Was.

This site wants to be amongst the first to congratulate the boys on their performance Vs Samoa.  Canada still remains on a five game losing streak to #9, Samoa but it was the closest they have come to a W.  The Ruggernut beat the 71/2 points spread, won money and waxed lyrical about many quality performances.  Akin to the Tongan match, the boys had ten points on the board in ten minutes.  They led 13 – 3 at the interval.

It looked like it might all fall apart when Samoa finally went ahead, 16 – 13 with fifteen minutes left and the reliable, Pritch, missed a pair of fairly easy penalties. It was the energetic Trainor (to whom we owe an apology for not recognizing his starting role in our pre-game blog), who deflected ball back to Mackenzie from a Hirayama diagonal and Mackenzie finished with great verve and Canada led 20 – 16 with about four minutes left.  Darn, if Samoa did not get a couple of penalties, win lineouts and the last one, although pinched by Canada was knocked on, into waiting Samoan hands for the “fall over” tally.  Enough for the tale of the tape.  Stiffy, boys!

To conclude, we must hand out bouquets.  Firstly, to the Front Row Fraternity – all of them including late replacements, especially poor old Benoit Piffero who thought he had the go-ahead tally.  I loved DJ’s energy, efforts and surprisingly, for me, technique.  ‘Onya, Djustice!  Olmstead brought some mongrel at lock and the loosies, Moonlight and Gilmour looked energized with Ty De Goede adding an inspired cameo.  Hats off to the halves and Nate’s left and right boots looked very good.  I liked Trainor and Blevins who added more thrust than anything seen in the previous two games.  Evans and Mackenzie looked like they want to go to the U.K. and will give selectors much to ponder.  The Sevens Dudes brought some giddy-up, much of which, fortunately was pulled off – the difference between mediocrity and an upset.

Canada will now play the U.S. for 5th & 6th place at Swanguard on Monday at 11:00a.m.  Let’s try channel #185 this time!  Well done all.

P.S. Hats off to the Ump - nice job.