Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

June 22, 2016 Posted in Canada Rugby / Community / NSMT / Senior Men

Even the Best Need a Rev Up!

The following poem was read to the English team by an assistant coach prior to their kick-off Vs Oz in the second test last weekend;
THE GUY IN THE GLASS
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Weekend Internationals; Fiji (H) to win by 7+ vs Georgia; Samoa (H), to win by 7+ Vs Tonga; N.Z. (H), to win by 7+ Vs Wales; AUS (H) Vs England, ENG by less than 7; Japan (H) Vs Scotland – to win by more than seven; RSA (H) to win by 7+ Vs Ireland; Argentina (H) to win by 7+ Vs France; U.S.A. (H) to win by 7+ Vs Russia; Canada (H) Vs Italy – to win by less than 7.

Italy comes to Canada after winning a close one last weekend south of the border, 24 - 20. Of particular interest to Canadian fans will be the likely appearance at #6 of well tested International, Rob Barbieri. Robert, born in Toronto joined Treviso last season and he is the younger bro of better known, Mike Barbieri, a front row forward who was selected for two RWC’s for Italy. Italy, ranked #14 will be a true test of just how accurate last week’s results against Russia were and no doubt, The Azzurri will be well supported by the large Toronto-Italian community. The test will start in the FRF, where Italy’s Cittadini, a grizzled eight year International veteran will try to put the wood on either young DJ Sears or Jake Ilnicki. Another to watch will be Favaro, Barbieri’s loosie partner. If the scrum can withstand the Italians, I would suggest the backs have the potential to more than hold their own, although Canna at #10 is a wily type and has a very good boot. One can expect a boisterous BMO crowd supporting the Maple Leaf and although the prediction (from the head) must go the visitor’s way, the heart is totally behind the boys. Go, you good things!

A shout out to Comox Kickers for their upcoming game against the Queensland Outback Baa-baas. Whatever the connection, this is a good coup for the up-Island club, one of those memories for a small club that will last long and become part of their club’s storied history. CW’s best wishes for success on and off the field.