Commonwealth Games

(We bring you this article, courtesy of Rugby Canada website, for those of you who go to cwrugby.com first - and we thank you.  It appears that the Scots have brought in some heavy artillery for the Sevens team.  Scotland is already flexing its muscle in the medal count, although this pundit still likes Canada's chances to progress to the Championship round.  It is not a piece of cake to step right in and play this game, perhaps a little different than playing at Galashields or Jedborough. Although we don't have an official word, we suspect that live downstreaming can be had at the IRB Sevens home base at;   http://www.irbsevens.com/   Go, Canada, go - you good things. 

Interesting to read where Geriant John, back in Oz, recently floated the idea of recruiting "Leagies", Aussie Rules and sprinters for the 2020 Olympics.....we smile at the thought of NRL players forgoing their wealthy contracts for an Olympic medal!  Maybe they'll find a long lost lineage with a Canadian great grand parent?)

"Canada will get the honour of playing the first game of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Sevens on Saturday as the pool stages of the action kick-off in Glasgow.

Sixteen teams are set to compete at Ibrox Stadium as rugby makes its tournament bow three days after the opening ceremony across the city at Celtic Park. Several of those sides will be looking to inflict defeat on four-time winners New Zealand.

Indeed the All Blacks Sevens are the reigning champions, winning the Gold Medal in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010, and have been drawn alongside Canada, Scotland and Barbados in what's arguably the toughest pool due to it including three core-sides.

But the Canadians will approach the challenge with real confidence after a record breaking sixth-place finish on the recent IRB World Sevens Series was carded. The squad hope to build on this under the tutelage of coach Kieran Crowley who, due to the nature of the event, has had to balance the off-field with game preparation.

"Being a multi-sport event with so many athletes around it has been a different vibe in that respect, but the mood in the camp is very good," he revealed on Thursday.

As mentioned, Canada will compete in Saturday's opening fixture as they begin against New Zealand before facing Barbados and then Scotland to finish Day One. Two teams will progress from the group into the Medals competition, with those finishing off the pace dropping into the Bowl ahead of Sunday's Sevens action.

Canada vs New Zealand at 10:32 local (5:32am ET/2:32am PT)

Canada will have first crack at looking to achieve what no country has done in Commonwealth Games history in Game One and that is to defeat the All Blacks.

DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson and Sherwin Stowers were in attendance when New Zealand won in Delhi four years ago but Canada have their own stalwarts in John Moonlight, Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke as they look to catch the holders cold.

"New Zealand have a great record and they will be a massive challenge," explained Crowley. "Except for the final here in Glasgow during the Series we have competed quite well with them but let ourselves down at certain times by mistakes. It will be about being accurate in contact as that is a big area New Zealand regularly feed off. If we can do that and manage to put some pressure on them then you ever know."

Canada vs Barbados at 12:50 local (7:50am ET/4:50am PT)

Second on the schedule for the Canadians sees the squad face Barbados after a two-hour turnaround following their opener, with their opponents set to be fresh.

Barbados were a late addition to this year's Commonwealth Games Sevens, replacing Nigeria who dropped out, but Crowley is wary of the threat they pose.

"I think Barbados, even though a replacement side will be challenging," he said. "They have been based here in the UK since the end on May so have had plenty of time together and most of their team actually play here so they have experience."

Canada vs Scotland at 21:04 local (4:04pm ET/1:04pm PT)

After an eight-hour break following Game Two, Canada return to the field to face host nation Scotland in what's likely to be a critical game for both sides in terms of progression into the medal competition. While Canada will return to the Athlete's Village, the Scots are able to stay at the venue due to a three-hour turnaround.

Scotland have called in XV-a-side internationals Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon and Roddy Grant, with Canada coach Crowley expecting a tough fixture.

"The draw is certainly not ideal and along with a couple of other countries we have raised concerns with it," he said about the gap between Canada's games. "But it is what it is and we just have to deal with it. Scotland will be a massive challenge - obviously home support for them will be huge - but we have to concentrate what we can bring to the table and execute accurately then hopefully that will get us home."

FOOTNOTE: U.S.A. have followed their Fifteens trend in throwing their hat in with England, Nigel Melville being Head Honcho of Fifteens and now Mike Friday has been announced to guide the Sevens program to Rio;

http://www.irbsevens.com/news/newsid=2072297.html#usa+sevens+their+friday