Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

July 30, 2025 Posted in Canada Rugby / CW Rugby / Game Reports / Rugby Club / Victoria BC / RWC / News / B.C. Rugby / Community / Refereeing / Fifteens / NSWT / Senior Women / Boys U18 / Girls U16-U18

(Credit, Rugby Canada. RWC 2025)

CAMPAIGN COMMENCES

This weekend sees the NSWT play their last curtain-raiser on the continent before RWC gets underway in the UK, later in the month. The women play USA on Saturday in Ottawa, (shown on TSN+ and TSN 5). CW-connected starters are Sophie de Goede (#4), who will be completing her near miraculous and determined convalescence, Karen Paquin (7), Gabby Senft (#8), Olivia Apps (#9), and Julia Schell (#15). Caroline Crossley and Olivia De Merchant will provide power from the pines. Alex Tessier will lead her team in a match where a huge crowd is expected. From CW – go, you beauties!

FILLING THE GAPS

In a recent blog we quoted our new President as saying; “the Board has rallied together and reached out to members of the club to fill the hats we know Johno wore. We are very sure more things will come up over this year and next year that we didn’t even know Johno was doing!”

To this point, today we give a shout out to Past President, Don Swainson for taking the bit on several initiatives. Don has mustered a group of fellow Past Presidents and devoted and committed CW members to accept roles and duties which were formerly Brent’s bailiwick. ‘onya, Don and the team!

CW Past Presidents - the sum total since amalgamation minus the late, Doug Grey.

BC BEARS U19 Men & Women

Both teams contained a number of CW youth . The Women won the National Championship, with a massive improvement from last year, going from cellar dwellers to winning the crown. The Men were runners-up to Ontario in a very hard fought, tight match, the victors taking the laurel in the late going. To be sure, we will hear much of these players in the future. Congratulations to all.

REFEREEING CLINIC

September 7th, MacDonald Park. 9:00 a.m. REGISTER HERE. The Ruggernut has not explored it, however the club often springs for registration for such personal growth, just saying!

CONDOLENCES

To the family of former Oak Bay Wanderers and Olympian, and lifetime supporter and 20 Club member of CW, Justice Bob Hutchinson. Bob was probably the oldest living Wanderer, and rugby was just one of his many sporting passions. RIP, good man.

MARK THAT CALENDAR

Return to Windsor, Saturday 7th September.

FROM THE LIONS DEN

Undefeated they remain after a close call in test #2 last weekend. There was some controversy from partisan fans after the Lions scored the winning try, 29 - 26 at full time. The slow-mo cam did not lie, and the try was upheld, like it or not. The Wallabies had their chances going into the final stages with a healthy 26 – 17 lead with some twenty minutes on the ticker. The lions will look for a perfect sweep this weekend and Australia left to ponder what to do, then hosting of a RWC.