Sevens
Wednesday's, "Ruck & Maul" on Thursday!
Just a windup on the Women’s IRB Tourney. It was alluded to that there was a heavy CW volunteer involvement in an earlier blog on this site. Today, we would like to name names, starting with Dave Crossley, Chair of Local Organization – logistics, team liaison, volunteer management,...
Monday's Musings
Back a sure thing? Death, taxes and N.Z. Silver Ferns Sevens! They did it again, showing their superior skill, speed, athleticism and teamwork, N.Z.’s women are just a cut above the rest. Kudos to Russia who did not go easily in their first ever Final (10 – 29) and if it was the...
DAY ONE - ALL ACCORDING TO HOYLE!
CW congratulates Canada’s NSWT on their 3 – 0. Opening Day performance at the IRB Sevens. Early, one-sided wins over Russia and RSA were immediately forgotten when the U.S. laid down the wood to go ahead 15 – 12 with mere minutes remaining. It was up to Landry to save the day with her fifth try...
A Day in the Life of Windsor Park
N.Z.'s Silver Ferns hit out early. Hats off to Gord Kehoe who found something to do of value with his recuperating time from recent surgery. Gord linked with the Aussie Sevens Women and lined up a workout at his Crossfit Gym…..’onya, Gord. Training's done! England women...
Final Match of the Season
In preparation for the Burnaby Battle, we bring viewers the final fifteen minutes of last Saturday's game against the Thunderbirds, how the game was not won by the visitors almost appears a travesty based on this footage. We have no word about the squad but "go pro" reports Tuesday as...
Women's Rugby
As the weekend nears, the question of the day is; can a “Kish-less” Canadian 7’s team conjure up some magic in this weekend’s IRB Tournament? It is tough for the ladies to still have Kish and Marchak out with injury, at their first “home-front” Sevens appearance however, Coach Tate has made...
Blue Collar Performance
Eighty minute story, short. Fifteen blue collar guys fronted for the full eighty against the (new) league leaders, UBC, on Saturday. Hats off to The Ones, who, despite a lop-sided score produced a gutsy effort in the curtain-raiser. Our man at the park reports; “…despite many tries chalked up,...
Rugby Resumes
The CDI Premiership and Library Square Cup pick up play this weekend after a lengthy layoff. CW travels to UBC and a stint at the new Thunderbird Stadium. On paper it would appear a “no-brainer” as UBC sit in second place and the visitors are in the basement however with a closer inspection,...
Skeleton Crew Continue to Amaze
How prophetic was yesterday’s comment regarding “never ceasing to amaze”, as Canada proved on day #2 to be no chopped liver in Cup action after “squeaking in”. Their historic win over N.Z., 19 – 15 was every bit deserving, particularly after N.Z. opened with a try within a record 18 seconds!...
Canada in Cup Quarters
Indeed, blessings from the Easter fairy and a resounding 26 – 10 victory over Kenya, led by Hearn, Douglas and Trainor, edged the boys into Cup play on a points differential. It will be tough sledding as the team has lost Hammond and the opposition is New Zealand however valuable points have...
A Patchwork Quilt
From a Sevens side that looked almost ‘Dead Cert’ for Olympic inclusion one year ago – injuries and a limited player pool have put Canada on the ‘outside fringe’ to do battle in Olympic qualifying tournaments in June thru September. Top four from IRB Comp are automatics, “regional winners”...
Maple Leafs win in Hong Kong
Maple Leaf women win in Hong Kong Maple Leaf women defeated Japan 24-12 as the opening match to the Hong Kong Sevens in front of a 20,000+ fans at Hong Kong stadium. It was Canada's 3rd consecutive win in the Invitation Women's tourney and the first time for the Maple Leafs...
Day #3 - Done & (Canada) Dusted!
After a good start with a victory over Kenya (21 – 10), this Ruggernut mused over point differentials, in an effort to prognosticate form and comparison of team performances. What odds Portugal to tie the mighty Kiwis??? ….. and then for Kenya to open a 21 point differential over Portugal???...
Black Saturday
As good as Friday got, mere hours later, results tanked as the NSMT went down to Samoa, 19 - 24, a game which RC's writer's claimed could have gone either way. This fan did not see that, as the boys looked jaded, not at all sharp against a side they have been beating rather regularly of...
Good Friday Comes Early
Although Belgium scored from the opening kick off (pictured, Tchanque on the fly), Canada's NSMT 7's went on to win 28 - 12 in the Hong Kong Opener. From Coach Middleton; "...we knew from film they would be hard work and they were..." To paraphrase a Twitter comment from Captain Moonlight...
Four Decades of Premier Sevens
(It's not a blur, it's just that our lamps have aged!!) On the eve of the Men's RWC Sevens Competition we ask where has the time gone? From an annual event showcasing sevens, moons ago, the Hong Kong Sevens has become the premier event on a circuit that is now a full-on show,...
Monday's Musings
Kicking off with BIG bouquets to Canada ‘A’, NSMT on their come from behind, 28 – 26 reversal of their previous loss, over Samoa ‘A’ for third place finish in the inaugural, Pacific Nations Cup. The boys were down 13 – 21 at the half however, with the scrum being dominant (good news, over...
Headed For Hong Kong
Ed. apologises for being remiss last week when we gave a HK preview and did not include Branden and Anton, along with our praise for Braydon - my bad, boys! Our three CW boys will be playng with B.C. U18 in an adjunct tournament. What an experience! We wish Branden Schellenberger, Anton...
Wednesday's, "Ruck & Maul" on Thursday!
Castaway Wanderers – Women’s Program Positions Castaway Wanderers is seeking key positions as it moves forward with the creation of a Senior Women’s program for the upcoming 2015/2016 season. CW currently has a well-established Girls Youth program that has seen growth year over year since...
Monday's Musings
NSWT SEVENS Heartiest congratulations from the Castaway Wanderers to our women on yet another stellar performance on the IRB World Circuit. The Atlanta Series saw Canada drop their final pool game to England as well as losing their equivalent of Philly Mack, Jen Kish, to injury. What an...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
– Interview with Captain, “Moose” Bydens who proffers his ever articulate take on things. NSMT NEWS. The boys take a rest and spend time with former CW player, Mesa in Fiji – bula, all. Canada’s NSMT wailed on Junior Japan/Japan A in Suva on Monday. It is hard to know what the goals of...
Downstreaming Disaster!
Couldn’t cross the pond yesterday however looked forward to first viewing of BCRU’s down streamed version of the “match-of-the-day”. Although I was late tuning in, I had missed nothing, as “power had failed”, so it was to be old-fashioned radio the rest of the way. I can’t be too critical, for...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Canada West Vs Canada East U17 Men, (pictured, CW’s Braydon Tate, opposing the put in) Canada West defeated Canada East at Shawnigan on Sunday by a score of 30 – 12. After opening a 20 – 0 lead, Canada West eased, giving up penalties and letting the Easterners back in the game. The return...
Correction & Apologies
Brought to attention by a reader from yesterday's blog regarding U17 player, Gavin Kratz, that the camp in fact begins on Friday and in fact there is no outcome. I apologise to the other players who will be in attendance at the camp, mentioned in a blog on January, 18. All of these players...