"Never On A Sunday", Chant Maori.

Yesterday, some 22,500 took in the Canada Vs NZ Maori game in Toronto, a crowd somewhat paling the mere 3500 at Westhills for the ARC’s and probably nixing any future big matches for the west coast.  On the tele, the atmosphere appeared to be magic with the exception of some voice constantly talking on the public address system whilst the match was in progress.  Canada contested well against a very skilled and experienced Maori team and for the neophyte, it would have been a pretty good spectacle, highlighted by good efforts from everyone.  For anyone with a little more knowledge, it was a frustrating encounter for the Canadian fan with many opportunities being nullified by the ref or “near misses” by the players.

The guile, extending to skullduggery by the Kiwis, their clever blocking and holding of players, falling on the defensive side of the tackler, marginal “gate entry” and generally getting the rub of the green on any “marginal call” was frustrating for the Canadian fan and (no doubt), players.  These comments are not to excuse Canadian errors of which there were too many but the speed of decision making at this level was probably twice or thrice as fast as what most of these boys play at from week to week and the experience will serve as naught but good.  It is always difficult to assess a referee’s performance however to this viewer; he appeared to be hoodwinked in a number of instances.  Thus endeth the lesson.

For Canada, I give a tie for MoM to John Moonlight and Hubert Bydens.  The FRF of Barkwill, Bydens and Wooridge and much later, Ilnicki were good value.  I liked Phelan’s work and suggest that some of Ardron’s potential danger was lost playing tight five.  Nevertheless, he is a beauty who works hard.  The loosies were also good value – Dala, before injury was money, Mooner (MoM) and Kleebs and Carps are great to watch all putting in a high work rate.   Good to see former Tricolor, Kyle Gilmour getting on late in the contest – ‘onya, Gillie.

The halves gave the appearance of being flustered, Mack appeared upset with some frustrations stemming from the referee, Kiwis diving in from everywhere on " his” ball and his own game to a lesser degree, although, he was certainly a marked man. McKenzie was not as frantic and gave good service.  Hearn looked good until he was “barreled” and Hassler was afire, constantly looking for work from his wing position.  Jones gave his customary quality performance and Matt Evans shows growth, each time out.  In summary, the backs had obviously been given the nod to back themselves and there are many skills possessed by these guys, witness Jones’ and Hearn’s passes to spring Hassler to open the scoring but cohesion is an issue with passes going to ground or being delivered marginally late or early.  Hopefully, with more regular combinations on Tour, this will be overcome.

We know the team would have wished for a closer differential but all in, it was a good effort with a “reasonable” result. We hope that this group came out of it relatively unscathed, Hearn Wooldridge and Dala being the main concerns and we wish them the best of luck as they jet to Georgia.

 DID HE SEE IT COMING?