Canada Vs Romania

Well, the campaign comes to a close tomorrow for Canada and despite some excellent play against Italy, with a rather unlucky result and long stretches of what might arguably be deemed, best ever Canadian rugby, against France, the campaign will be judged solely on the outcome of this match.

We do not know the degree of injuries that are being carried but this group has shown great character and one would expect nothing less tomorrow.  It is a solid starting combination which will miss Ardron however, Carpenter has deservedly, based on his form, been given the job at #8.  Whether or not this is the best combination, leaving Gilmour on the bench, only time will tell.  Not to belittle in anyway Captain Carps, as he has given yeoman’s service to the cause.  As for the rest of the pack, it is as good as available and Big Jamie Cudmore will have to give an equivalent performance to his France game in what will probably be his last hurrah with the National side – we thank him for a stellar career.  They have seemingly found the Japanese trick to getting the ball back quickly with an old-fashioned “hook”. 

The other spot of question for this pundit is starting McRorie.  Mack showed his spark against France and it is to be hoped that his incision will not be “too late” in the day.  Hearn is the form payer and Blevins had a game against France that he would no doubt rather forget but he has shown great form and progress during the summer and at RWC that I believe he will be the comeback kid.  Great to see Hassler back in the mix and expect the usual fireworks from both wing men.  Olmstead’s omission must have a reason attached.  On the bench, Yak and DJ will provide good energy and we may just get to see Pritch finish it all up.

We are all behind the boys and may you finally get some breaks and put this one in the books.  Go, you good things!

1. Hubert Buydens – (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2. Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3. Doug Wooldridge – (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
4. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates) Lindsay, ON
5. Jamie Cudmore – Captain (Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
6. Jebb Sinclair – (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8. Aaron Carpenter – (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Brantford, ON
9. Gordon McRorie - (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
10. Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
11. DTH van der Merwe – (Scarlets) Victoria, BC
12. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
13. Ciaran Hearn – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Okotoks, AB
15. Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) North Vancouver, BC

16. Benoit Piffero – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
17. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
18. Jake Ilnicki – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Williams Lake, BC
19. Kyle Gilmour – (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
20. Nanyak Dala – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
21. Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
22. Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
23. James Pritchard – (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia

The photo is not for any bragging rights, rather a sense of pride to have all of these men connected at CW for some point in time.