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Mainland HS in blue defeat Island 29-15
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| © Hugh Jervis |
Classics Draw First Blood: Mainland Handles Island in High School Action
posted June 28 2008
[ed. comments below]
Just a quick note to readers. The Friday evening events saw Canada Classics down the USA Classics in 2nd tier action, 5-0. A lot of back and forth action but neither team had a player that could punch the ball through. Jason Hartley was the star of the day, intercepting a USA pass inside his own 22 and outpacing the defence to score the only try.
In High School action it was 29-15 to the mainland. It wasn’t a contest in the first half as the mainland team ran up a quick succession of tries to seal the game. The score was something close to 24-5 for the mainland at half time. The second half saw the Island team come back and dominate but it was too little too late. The athleticism of the mainland backs was evident as they sliced through at will in the first half. The confidence factor is so important in rugby and that could be seen as the mainland backs were lining up to get the ball and run through the opposing defence while the Island backs were looking for the pass before running. It’s all about running straight and beating your man one on one at this level.
Tomorrow’s action is the main event, the crowd tonight was substantial considering the events with close to 1,000 I would estimate.
Canadian Classics announce backfield - 417 total caps
[ed. our poll shows Jeff Williams as the reader's choice for #10 (at the time of writing) but apparently organizers had ordered the jersey in XXXL.]
posted June 16 2008
The Canadian Classics management announced the two backfields that will take on the U.S. Eagle Classics on June 27th and 28th at Bullen Park in Historic Esquimalt.
Canadian Classics I – Saturday June 28th at 2:30 PM
(Name, Club, # of Caps – 417 Canadian caps total in backs)
Scrum ½’s: Morgan Williams (JBAA 56 Caps), John Graf (55 Caps)
Fly ½’s: Gareth Rees (UBC Old Boys 54 Caps) Scott Stewart (UCLA Bruins 65 Caps)
Centres: Roger Robinson (Castaway Wanderers 1 Cap), Nik Witkowski (JBAA 34 Caps), Jared Barker (JBAA 24 Caps), Shayne Thompson (Montreal Barbarians 13 Caps)
Wings: Jeff Williams (JBAA 6 Caps), Jeremy Cordle (Castaway Wanderers 12 Caps), Fred Asselin (Montreal Wanderers 15 Caps)
Full Backs: Quentin Fyffe (Calgary Irish 16 Caps), Winston Stanley (Velox 64 Caps)
Canadian Classics II - Friday June 27th at 5:30 PM
(Name, Club, Rep honours)
Scrum ½’s: Dave Hitchcock (Cowichan BC Rep), Colin Wilson (Meraloma BC Rep)
Fly ½’s: Julian Loveday (Calgary Irish 10 Caps) Gordie McGeachy (Cowichan BC Rep)
Centres: Bob Bremner (Capilano BC Rep), Andrew Hoffman (Bayside Canada Sevens), Jason Hartley (Canada Sevens)
Wings: Courtney Smith (Meralomas 21 Caps), Ryan Stewart (Capilano Canada Sevens), Rob Card (Castaway Wanderers 2 Caps)
Full Backs: John Tait (Cardiff 37 Caps), Tyler Leggatt (Oakville Crusaders Ontario Rep)
There will be two Classic games – one Friday night as part of a double-header Challenge opener with the main Classic event being the curtain raiser to the much anticipated Canada vs. French Barbarians fixture. The other opening night match will pit the Vancouver Island U18 Select team against a Mainland U18 Select XV.
Classics Announce Monster Packs For Rugby Canada Challenge
posted June 12 2008
The Canadian Classics management announced the two forward packs that will take on the U.S. Eagle Classics on June 27th and 28th at Bullen Park in Historic Esquimalt.
Canadian Classics I – Saturday June 28th at 2:30 PM
(Name, Club, # of Caps – 354 Canadian caps total in pack)
Props: Kevin Wirachowski (Velox 20 caps), Eddie Evans (Bangkok RFC 50 caps), Jon Thiel (Bayside 42 caps)
Hookers: Pat Dunkley (JBAA 40 caps), Mark Cardinal (JBAA 36 caps)
Locks: Mike James (Burnaby Lake 50 caps), Mike Pajic (Bayside BC Rep), Tony Healy (Cowichan 15 caps), Ed Knaggs (Castaway Wanderers 19 caps)
Back Row: Adam Van Staveren (Bayside 24 caps), Gregor Dixon (Cowichan 12 caps), Rob Robson (JBAA 6 caps), Ryan Banks (Burnaby Lake 36 caps), Ramzi Azar (Irish Canadians Ontario Rep)
Canadian Classics II - Friday June 27th at 5:30 PM
(Name, Club, Rep honours)
Props: John Lyall (Velox, Crimson Tide), Rob Waddell (James Bay, BC), Dave Hamilton (Saskatoon Wild Oats, Prairie Fire)
Hookers: Aaron Duchscherer (Calgary Irish, Alberta), Jim Yeganegi (UBC Old Boys, 2 caps)
Locks: Craig White (Velox, BC), Eric Forsyth (JBAA, Canada West), Ralph Worel (Saskatoon Wild Oats, Prairie Fire), Rob Frame (Castaway Wanderers, 10 caps)
Back Row: Mike Moss (Cowichan, BC), Denny Sinnott (Castaway Wanderers, 6 caps), John Harrison (Oakville Crusaders, Ontario), Paul White (UBC Old Boys, BC), Brent Steacey (Capilano, BC)
There will be two Classic games – one Friday night as part of a double-header Challenge opener with the main Classic event being the curtain raiser to the much anticipated Canada vs. French Barbarians fixture. The other opening night match will pit the Vancouver Island U18 Select team against a Mainland U18 Select XV.
CANADIAN CLASSICS ANNOUNCE FRONT ROW PERSONNEL FOR UPCOMING JUNE 28th GAME VERSUS US CLASSIC EAGLES
posted June 1 2008
Canadian Classic organizer Tom Woods has stated that the starting team that takes the field in Canadian Classics jerseys in the June 28th curtain raiser for the Canada - French Barbarian at Esquimalt’s Bullen Park will have close to 600 combined caps. In a unique twist to the way selected sides are announced they will be naming the squad in intervals by position starting with a stalwart front row selection.
The three formidable props are Eddie Evans (49 Caps), John Thiel (48 Caps) and Kevin Wirachowski (20 caps). At hooker the Classics will field Canadian veteran Mark Cardinal (35 Caps) and a player currently knocking on the National team door again, Pat Dunkley (40 Caps).
“We have had over 30 players capped for Canada after donning a Classics jersey so if we lose Dunks to the National team to play against the French Baa Baa’s we’ll take it in stride” Woods stated. “Remember, the Classic Eagles have stated that they will have seven 2007 World Cup veterans in their squad so our curtain raiser will be a barn burner and one you won’t want to miss”.
Spencer Robinson who is also one of the event organizers backed Woods up; “The level of play is outstanding as these players are our most skilled ever and the unlimited substitution rule of Classic Rugby ensures the pace is hectic from opening kick-off to final whistle. You think our front row is intimidating, wait ‘til you see the rest of the pack”.
Classic rugby is built around the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda every November. Eight teams take part in that extravaganza every year: the All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, France, Argentina, British Lions, Canada and the USA. Games are 60 minutes in length with running subs and it is not uncommon to see players such as Gavin Hastings, Joost Van der Westhuizen, Francois Pienaar and Olivier Rooumat on the field in the Island nation.
World Class Rugby Comes to Esquimalt: Victoria to Host French Barbarians for International Rugby Matches
posted May 30 2008
Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada May 29, 2008:
Plans for a Classics RugbyFest in Esquimalt June 27 and 28 have expanded into a multinational rugby event. Originally scheduled to be a full day of rugby with the United States Classics teams, it is now confirmed that the French Barbarians, a World Class Invitational side comprised of French, Argentinean and Italian International players, will also be coming to Victoria to play against the Canadian National team for the Rugby Canada Challenge. It has been two decades since a full international match was played in Victoria and local clubs are working together to ensure the event is a success as only 3,500 seats are available for this unique event.
“This level of International Rugby has been absent from Victoria for 20 years so this is an amazing opportunity to showcase our city again. These are top notch players coming to Victoria and the match ups will be exciting. The French Barbarians routinely play sides like the South Africa Springboks, Australia Wallabys and the vaunted New Zealand All Blacks” says Tom Woods, Rugby Canada Challenge organizer. “Normally a Canada – French Barbarians headliner game would be played in Toronto or Vancouver in a venue five times the size so we are very pleased and fortunate to be hosting it here.”
Two U.S. Classics Eagles teams will face off against the Canadian Classics Rugby team in an annual ‘friendly’ pre-tournament match to the annual Bermuda Classic in November. Over 50 U.S. players and their families will be in Victoria for the international matches including many veterans from the 2007 World Cup campaign. The finale game takes place Saturday afternoon with Canada facing off against the French Barbarians at 4:15pm.
Coming from across Canada, Classics team members are over 33 years of age and have represented their country in international play. Classics games are highly physical, competitive and exciting to watch with many of the players currently under professional contracts and/or playing test level rugby. Canada won the Classic Plate Final at the Bermuda World Rugby Classic in 2006.
“Once again Greater Victoria’s sport community steps forward to host a major international fixture. In this case Victoria’s rugby community led by individuals that have represented Canada internationally, in partnership with Rugby Canada, are hosting a rugby international event not seen previously on the Island” says Hugh MacDonald, Executive Director of SportHost Victoria. “The Canadian Classics vs. USA Classic Eagles will kick off a four game series that will see visitors from all over the world coming to Victoria to compete in an incredible rugby extravaganza. This event featuring the French Barbarians will bring significant economic activity to the region”.
All games will be held at Bullen Park in Esquimalt with the first game beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27. Games begin on Saturday, June 28 at noon. Events run from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission on Friday is $10.00 and admission for the day on Saturday is $20.00. Friday night will feature a Canadian Classics versus U.S. Eagles team and a Vancouver Island versus a Mainland high school all star game. The Saturday venue would see Fraser Valley versus Tide U20 fixture followed by the more competitive Canada/USA fixture and then the finale - the French Barbarians versus Canada.
Food will be available at the park and a beverage garden, the Touchline Tavern North, will also be operating.
Rugby Schedule
All games held at Bullen Park behind the Archie Browning Centre
Friday, June 27
5:30 pm KO Canadian Classics versus US Eagle Classics (game one - featuring less capped players)
7:00 pm KO Vancouver Island High School All Star XV versus Lower Mainland High School All Star XV
Saturday June 28th
1:00 pm KO Crimson Tide versus Fraser Valley Under 20 game
2:45 pm KO Canadian Classics (game two - featuring multi-capped players) versus US Eagles
4:15 pm KO Canada versus the French Barbarians
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com) or at local Victoria rugby clubs.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the event should contact Wanda Collinge at 598-4421 or wcollinge@hotmail.com.
Sponsors of the Rugby Canada Challenge include Lighthouse Brewery, City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt, Westshore Parks and Recreation, the Tudor House Hotel and the Esquimalt Fire Department.
For Rugby Canada Challenge Sponsorship inquires contact Tom Woods at 250.857.1062 or tom.woods@shaw.ca
Media Contact
David Davies
Direct: 250.382.4332
Mobile: 250.744.7415
ddavies@harbourwerks.com
Canada Wins Classic Plate Final in World Rugby Classic
by Dave Davies
by Nov 18 2006
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada – Friday November 17, 2006- In a fast-paced game that saw the score tied in the final 10 minutes, Canada edged out France for a final score of 15 – 12, winning the Classic Plate Final at the World Rugby Classic held in Bermuda on November 11. The Classics is comprised of former national players over 33 years of age.
“Our guys worked hard for their end-of-game win,” says Organizer Tom Woods. “The calibre of play is extremely high so this is a well earned victory. We’re looking to advance even further at next year’s World Rugby Classic.”
A try by Victoria native Rob Robson put the Canadians in the lead before a converted score from Frenchman Eric Leconte put France into a 7-5 lead until 10 minutes to the end of the game. Canada’s Roger Robinson touched down for a try which was converted by Gareth Rees. This was followed by a try by Patrice Castel of France which tied the score at 12 – 12. But fortunes turned when Flyhalf Rees’ drop goal from the 40 yard line pushed the Canadians to a 15 – 12 win.
While in Bermuda the Canadian Classics team took some time out to support Rugby locally. The entire rugby squad turned out on November 6 to The Bermuda Rugby Football Union to help run a four-hour mini-rugby camp for almost 300 Bermuda youth. This is part of the Canadian Classics Cleats for Kids initiative, which aims to foster rugby at the grassroots level. The goal is to offer opportunities for kids where poverty often prevents them from participating in sports.
The World Rugby Classic was first played in Bermuda in 1988 and is a forum for players who have left the international arena. It has grown to include South Africa, Argentina, France, New Zealand, Australia and the Classic Lions (composed of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). The Classic competition features 10 international matches, a women’s international and an international match between Bermuda and the Caribbean.
For more on the tournament visit www.worldrugby.bm
About The Canadian Classics
The Canadian Classics are comprised of players who have represented their country in International rugby competition, are over the age of 33 and are still capable of playing at a high level. Players come from all across the country and unlike over 40’s rugby; this level is highly physical, competitive and exciting to watch with many of the players currently under professional contracts and/or playing test level rugby. Canada has been represented at the Classic level by all of our World Cup Captains – De Goede, Wyatt, Rees, and Charron, along with our most capped Internationals like Scott Stewart, John Graf, Steve Gray, John Hutchinson and Winston Stanley.
The Canadian team plays yearly in a home/away fixture against either the USA or Argentina and then caps off the season with the highlight – The World Rugby Classic in Bermuda each November.
CANADIAN CLASSICS FACE EAGLES IN REGINA
by Tom Woods
posted July 14 2006
The Canadian Classics are gearing up for their annual fixture versus the US Eagles this Sunday in Regina Saskatchewan. The event this year will be the curtain raiser and part of a ‘Rugby Day’ with many festivities leading up to the RCSL feature game - the undefeated Prairie Fire versus the Vancouver Wave.
Both Classic North American squads use their one-off ‘test’ to prepare for the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda each fall. This event annually sees the very best recently retired internationals in the World lace them up for their countries again. Players must be over 33 years of age and be ex-internationals to represent their countries in Bermuda. “Where else can you watch last year’s All Blacks play the French lead by Phillipe Sella followed immediately by the British Lions against the Springboks” Classic veteran Julian Loveday from Calgary said. “Some of the rugby quality is truly amazing – the games are 30 minute halves and there is unlimited substitution so the pace and skill level is incredible. Many of the players are still on their current National team lists as well so it is not uncommon to see them play in the Tri-Nations, Super 14 or Six Nations just after or before Bermuda” Loveday continued. “Our first game in Bermuda last year was against the Springboks and the weekend prior to the that game the Classic Boks hooker Naka Drotske was the Man of the Match in the Currie Cup final, so it gives you an idea of the level of play in Classics rugby”
Although both the Canadian and U.S. teams have both had successes in Bermuda, they are generally fairly evenly matched in their North American fixture. “We took it to them in Edmonton in 2004, they pummelled us in Aspen last year, although I will admit the 8000 foot above sea level thing and two free kegs of Guinness decimated the Canadian squad in Colorado, and we are expecting a close encounter with them in Regina” long time Canadian organizer Tom Woods said. “The Yanks are very organized and have regional selectors at the Classic level with some great sponsors, so they are able to compile a long list of 75 guys and actually have guys on stand-by in case of injury or withdrawal. Although we are not quite so deep we will have a great team in Regina with players such as Quentin Fyffe getting their first taste of rugby at this level” Woods continued.
“I am honoured to be a part of this group” Fyffe stated. “Tommy has told me only a select few get the call and my social skills will be tested as much as my rugby skills so I had better come prepared. I have heard the tales of Bermuda and believe these boys take the game as seriously on the field as they do the tea party afterwards, so I hope I am up to the challenge”.
Game time in Regina is Sunday July 16th at 12:00 noon – traditional rugby Tomfoolery and Argy Bargy to follow immediately after.
Canada 33 - Bermuda 20: With three minutes, 11 seconds left on the clock, Bermuda were a point ahead of their Classic opposition and heading for an unlikely victory against more experienced opposition
[ed. even with the "embargo" on information imposed by Rugby Canada on national teams, we were able to bribe someone to anonymously pass on this information (inside joke)]
By Dan Rutstein (www.theroyalgazette.com)
Canada 33 Bermuda 20
With three minutes, 11 seconds left on the clock, Bermuda were a point ahead of their Classic opposition and heading for an unlikely victory against more experienced opposition.
But Pete Shillingford’s men were left to rue late mistakes, including a succession of missed tackles that allowed Adam van Staveren to score a long-range try, which handed the Classic Canadians a flattering 33-20 scoreline.
The two late scores from the North Americans may have given the visitors the victory, but the home team, with vigorous tackling and impressive cameos from skipper Bobby Hurdle, Iain MacLeod, Paul Jones and the effervescent Tom Healy, did enough to walk off the field with their heads held high and deserving of the cheers from the 2,500-plus partisan crowd.
Bermuda were handed the opportunity to take on the plate semi-final losers this year rather than just a visiting international or club side and the result, despite the loss, was seen as a resounding success for the domestic game and those who still argue that the national side should be allowed to play in the international festival that takes place on their shores without them.
“Their tries came from our mistakes and not playing better rugby and that is pleasing for us,” said man-mountain Hurdle, whose two first-half efforts along with a Mike Kane interception score had given the home side a 15-14 lead going into the break.
“I think we can be proud of the boys. They had some big guys but we worked hard and played some good stuff. We gave it everything we had and we are all pretty happy with our performance.
“It’s disappointing to lose because of those late errors but we got a lot more out of this game than we did last year’s easy win over the Atlanta Renegades in the Classic and it is always enjoyable for us to play in front of such a big crowd.”
Bermuda came out firing from the opening kick-off in the opening match of finals day and it is a shame more of the late-arriving spectators weren’t there to see the skipper round off a great move that saw Pete Dunkerley and Kurt Liebert tear the Canadian defence apart after just seven minutes.
Kane, son of tournament president John, struggled with the wind, missing the conversion – as he was also to do with the next three – which meant that when Jason Lee, a guest player for the Lions, responded seven minutes later and his team-mate knocked over the extras, Bermuda were 7-5 down.
The Canadians then pushed over for a second but once Colin McKenzie had been sin-binned, the home team made the most of the man advantage with a superb interception score.
Kane anticipated well and picked off the ball in his own half and began charging down the pitch with two Canadians in hot pursuit and not a team-mate in sight.
An achilles injury was slowing the Bermudian down and the defenders looked to be closing in when Kane executed a great dummy to throw off his man at the vital moment and had just enough left to cross on the stroke of half-time to send the Bermudians in 15-14 ahead.
This lead was extended midway through the second period when Hurdle was once again in the thick of the action, breaking through and moving the ball through Dunkerley and Jason Scott to squeeze Greg Garside into the corner for a 20-14 lead.
With 11 minutes left, Norm Hadley went over and Scott Stewart missed the extras to leave Bermuda a single point ahead.
The loss of Harry Andrews to the sin-bin with nine minutes left on the clock put Bermuda under pressure and hanging on for the win but Gerald Steenkamp went over in the 57th minute and then some woeful tackling allowed van Staveren to romp more than half the length of the field to add insult to injury.
“I’m pretty happy,” said Shillingford after the encounter which had seen the Bermudians receive superb verbal support from the crowd.
“We stuck to our game plan pretty well although it’s a shame mistakes cost us in the end. It is good for our guys to play this level of rugby, it is just that yard quicker than we are used to do and that can only help our game.”
Springboks leap into final - "Canada notched their first points of the Classic in the Plate semi-final but were still well beaten, going down 33-19 to the US" - Report from Bermuda's Royal Gazette
posted Nov 10
from http://www.theroyalgazette.com
South Africa 22 Lions 12
With eight minutes to go and just five points separating the two sides in this see-saw spectacle, a place in the World Rugby Classic final was very much up for grabs.
The Lions were just a score behind and their tactic to counteract the dangerous speed of the Springbok backs by playing tight, controlled rugby was paying off.
They were pushing hard with their forwards, squeezing every inch of field position out of every ruck and maul and desperately trying to puncture the South African defence.
But despite the Lions' territorial dominance, there was always the danger of breakaways and, to the delight of a crowd who had endured a pre-game soaking courtesy of the Classic's first rains, they came hard and fast from the defending champions who earned themselves a flattering scoreline with late tries from Charl Marais and John Assor – who rounded off his score with a somersault.
South Africa were probably worthy winners, their side – featuring just one Currie Cup player in the hulking form of Naka Drotske – maybe isn't quite as strong as Francois Pienaar's all-conquering squad from last year, but they have attacking weapons aplenty and the ability to deploy them at vital times.
And with the rain still persisting down, the first salvo was fired when Rassie Erasmus, a Currie Cup coach this past year, crossed within the opening two minutes, although the tent-bound crowds weren't yet brave enough to witness the score.
By the time Dave Scully had replied seven minutes later – with Derek McAleese adding the extras to put the Lions 7-5 ahead – the bleachers were filling up again and beginning to enjoy what was probably the cleanest and highest-quality encounter of the tournament so far.
A classic Classic Springbok try was then scored with eight minutes left in the half, the full 4,000 spectators able to enjoy a break by Jacques Jonker – who appears to have taken over from Jan Harm van Wyk as Mr. Catch Me If You Can this year – who flipped it over to Deon Kayser to touch down.
Andries Fourie, with another incredible performance at fullback, converted to leave the tournament favourites 12-7 up at the break.
After the interval, the Lions' share of possession was the greater but they couldn't quite convert that dominance which was always going to leave opportunities for the Springboks.
But after some scintillating half-breaks from both sides and a long spell where the ball refused to go out of play much to the delight of the screaming hordes packing the bleachers on both sides of the National Sports Centre, the game was put out of reach by Marais.
With eight minutes left, Fourie, unsurprisingly, kicked the ball through and Marais, a portly, hulking figure who is more wildebeest than Springbok, lumbered after the ball, hacked on just shy of the line before falling on it with somewhat of a bellyflop to just get the downward pressure needed ahead of a pouncing Lions' last-ditch lunge.
The missed conversion mattered little at 17-7, a point emphasised when Assor took advantage of some Keystone Cops defence from the Lions.
Those attending tomorrow night's gala banquet will be hoping Kenny Logan's speech is better than his ball-handling skills, and he certainly didn't look like he was worth 70 caps for Scotland when he made a dog's dinner of an attempt to pick up a kick through.
Assor was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and dive over the line to seal his side's place in the final – a Dale McIntosh score after 57 minutes was scant consolation for the Brits.
"We knew it was going to be tough but we were pleased with the way we worked the ball out wide," said Assor, who admits his somersault was his first such artistic score.
"When you are champions, everyone is firing for you and the Lions went hard at us tonight. But we worked hard and we did what we had to do.
"It wasn't our best performance and we are not so happy with that and we know whoever we face it is going to be a tough final – that's what happens when you are the defending champs."
McAleese, for the Lions, was frustrated in defeat, longing for the glory days of his side to come again.
"We worked hard at what we were trying to do, keeping the ball, playing solidly and trying to contain their speed," he said afterwards, making the point that his side were intent now on drowning their sorrows for their final few days in Bermuda.
"We could see they weren't as good as last year but they had just enough. It is hard for our guys coming from all over Britain and not always having played together before. It has been too long since we last won this."
In the night's other match, Canada notched their first points of the Classic in the Plate semi-final but were still well beaten, going down 33-19 to the US.
Their 'prize' for two consecutive defeats is a clash with Bermuda in the curtain-raiser on Saturday's finals day.
Tonight sees New Zealand take on France in the Plate at 7 p.m. while Australia will have their work cut out against a dominant Pumas side in the showpiece game at 8.30 p.m.
Day 1 Summary, Defending Champions South Africa down Canada 33-0, next match versus USA on Wednesday
Dave Davies
posted Nov 7 2005
Sunday November 6 2006
2pm kick off
Defending World Rugby Classic Champions down Canada.
South Africa 33 Canada 0
Canada played very hard and had great support from the Classic crowds watching on.
Sunday November 6 2006
3:30pm kick off
Lions 22 USA 14
Canada will play USA Wednesday November 9th at 7.00pm
Monday night sees the French and Argentinians go head to head at 7 p.m. in what should be a physical battle before the All Blacks take on the Australians in the final game at 8.30 p.m.
Canadian Classics off to World Rugby Classic in Bermuda: Strong Canadian team to face defending champion South Africa
by David Davies
posted Nov 1 2005
Victoria BC November 1, 2005 - The Canadian Classics are off this week to the World Rugby Classic and have selected a strong team to face the defending champion Springboks of South Africa in the opening round. The Canadian squad will be anchored by some huge forwards in 6’0, 280 lb prop Kevin Wirachowski and 6’8” 350 lb legendary lock Norm Hadley. The backs will see 65 cap veteran Scott Stewart running the show from the number 10 spot, ably supported by crashing centre Roger Robinson and the elusive Julian Loveday.
Hadley has been living and working in Tokyo for numerous years now and is pleased he will get a chance to don the Canadian jersey again. “I am glad the tournament laws in Bermuda allow for unlimited substitution. This body is certainly not made for an 80 minute track meet so it will be good to see some of the younger guys like Van Staveren and Robson shoulder the load” says big Norm who was the cornerstone of the Canadian pack in the 1991 World Cup where Canada lost in the quarter finals to the All Blacks.
The Canadians face a stern test with South Africa – some of the players in the Springbok team are literally Hall of Fame status. Household names like Joost Van Der Westhuisen, Francois Pienaar and Garth Wright will be supported this year by the likes of Naka Drotske who was the Man of the Match in the Currie Cup final two week-ends ago when the Cheetahs upset the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. “Canada - South Africa games have had a bit if an edge to them since the 1995 World Cup when Snow and Rees were sent off in the famous dust up and as both sides are very physical we expect this game to be no different” says Canadian player organizer Tom Woods.
The game should be especially memorable for native South African Gerald Steenkamp. Steenkamp, who lives and works in Kelowna as a physiotherapist was amazed at the quality of player the Springboks are bringing. “The players on their roster would easily handle most International Test sides and many are currently under contract” says Steenkamp who will suit up in the back row for Canada next Sunday, “so it will be a tremendous challenge taking the field against pros of this caliber.”
Canadian Classics 2005 Roster
FORWARDS
Kevin Wirachowski – Prop - Velox
Paolo DeCotiis – Prop - Capilano
Mark Reid – Prop - UBC Old Boys
Steve Bett – Lock – Ontario
Mike Pajic – Lock - Bayside
Norm Hadley – Lock - Tokyo
Darren Grant – Lock – Capilano
Gerald Steenkamp – Back row – Castaways
Colin McKenzie – Back Row – Burnaby
Adam Van Staveren – Back Row – Bayside
Chris Horsley – Back Row – Oak Bay
Paul Thomas – Back Row – Nottingham
Brent Steacey – Back Row – Capilano
Mike Moss – Hooker – Cowichan
BACKS
Alan Royer – Scrum Half – Nottingham
Scott Stewart – Fly-half – UBC Old Boys
Roger Robinson – Centre – Castaways
Rob Robson – Centre – JBAA
Bruce Reid – Centre – UBC Old Boys
Julian Loveday – Fullback – Calgary Irish
Matt Kehler – Wing – Abbottsford
Dan Harlow – Wing – JBAA
Tom Woods – Wing – JBAA
Kit Warren – Wing - Oak Bay
http://www.worldrugby.bm
Media contact:
Dave Davies
Canadian Classics Rugby Team
ddavies@harbourwerks.com,
O: 250.382.4332
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