Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

Tough Times – Tough Players

This week, Canadian Sevens is in the news, bigtime. Let’s start with the women who have left Mag Harvey, World Rugby’s Female Player of the Year, at home for the Brazil Sevens, starting on Saturday. Coach Tate has added two rookie “youngsters”. Although these ladies must have the goods it is hard to imagine anyone with more pace and moves than Harvey. CW wishes the team all the best as they take on Russia, South Africa and England – a tough pool! Speaking of women’s rugby, we make special mention of two pillars of the program for over a decade – Julie Sagawara and Kim Donaldson (pictured). These ladies have hung up the boots at the National level. They have given heaps – a decade of their days. Bouquets to both.

The men start their pool play in Wellington on Friday against N.Z., England and Papua/New Guinea. With injuries being nursed by Dala, Hearn, Hirayama, Mack, Scholtz and Douglas, Captain Moonlight will have high expectations of his mates. There will be a core of the skipper, Duke, Trainor and the return of Jones that will be experienced. Fuli and Hammond had a good series at Port Elizabeth when Canada finished ninth, but it will be the depth that will be tested – tough times. There is some experience with White but Wilson-Ross, Cejvanovic, Kay and Zaruba have not been really tested. CW congratulates Liam Underwood who has struggled through some injuries, to make his debut. We conclude our report with condolences to John Moonlight on the recent loss of a close family relation. This man is not only a physical rock, he is tough mentally – tough players. CW wishes this group the best of luck as the season now crescendos along with the carrot being the inclusion in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

What’s Ahead for The Tricolors?

It’s Klahanie on Saturday and a fired up Capilanos, in a clear third spot and a game in hand. CW looked as strong as it has been last Saturday and will be better for the solid contest at home. When we get a lineup, we’ll pontificate the chances further! Caps, led by Glen McKinnon, dressed three “International” players last weekend in their win over Ravens, 25 – 16, scoring all 25 points in the second half. The team centers on an uncompromising pack, the tight five being led by Lanigan and a loose trio of a duo of McKinnon and Kelliher. CW is very familiar with #9 Robinson and from all reports Yanagiya is in fine form, add to that the trio of unknowns and there you have a very solid squad. Stay tuned.