Monday's Musings

Charity Williams notches the century - Rugby Canada

VANCOUVER SEVENS - A DECADE LATER

The stage was well set with the announcement of the Canadian national team selections.  No doubt, fans had high hopes with nine silver medalists being available.  Day #1 produced the success hoped for when Brazil surprised Australia in Canada’s pool for hopes to raise even higher.  But that was all she wrote.  Day #2 started with a bang when the Canadians scored a pair against Australia within minutes but then the bubble burst.  Pundits can speculate.  It looked to me that with so many players coming from XV’s action, the difference between the games was simply too much to switch instantaneously into the patterns and pace of sevens.  In fact, against Australia as Canada forfeited 35 consecutive points, they appeared ‘gassed’!  To the ladies credit, they bookended their tournament with a solid performance for seventh place against USA, scoring five tries vs two, with “Slo/w” Symmonds crossing for a hattrick.  Flo, had a good weekend.

Other Musings from the Sevens; WOMEN.  NZ was the cream.  They are aging in some spots however, like fine wine, getting better! Japan was really the eye-opener, and their 3/4th place match was a fine effort.  Fiji were better than I had recalled, and upon checking, this performance, they exceeded their table position.  In this leg, Australia was superior to Canada who finished in sixth and are in 6th place in the standings.

MEN.  Wow to Spain – 3rd in Vancouver and second place in the standings.  I have observed this team gradually improve but this was a revelation and to table-toppers, Argentina, what a talent.  Four-time winners at Vancouver, some feat.  Not sure of attendance figures but the stands looked good, every bit as full as the three times I have attended personally.  The circus now moves to the iconic and “original” Hong Kong location.

GREATER VICTORIA SPORTS AWARDS

Whilst on the topic of Sevens, it gives great pleasure in announcing that CW’s Caroline Crossley will be recognized as one of the athletes who has been selected for a Victoria Sports Award this year.  Caroline was an outstanding member of the NSWT that won the silver medal at the recent Paris Olympics.  Caroline first represented Canada in Sevens at the tender age of 17 and played at the international level for the next nine years except for a couple out for studies and some play in Spain.  Caroline is engaged in law studies at McGill University. ‘onya, Caroline.

                                                                        

Another season of Elementary School rugby is in the planning stage.  Last season, the unprecedented fiftieth, saw a number of CW men and women and parents in coaching roles in local schools.  Three senior women also served as referees at the season-ending Jamboree.  Schools have no problem indicating their interest in being involved, however, very few have coaching resources. Contact HERE for further information.