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Phil Mack - Canada 7s
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Sevens – New Zealand Round-up
by BCRN 7s Correspondent
posted Feb 8 2010
If you are looking for ‘positives’ for our national sevens program then Wellington would have to be a good launching pad for 2010.
Sure - as soon as an unranked team unglues a ranked contender then the press is all over it and reality often becomes fantasy in a big hurry.
But for those in the trenches doing the slogging and hard work success is contagious and confidence grows – and that’s the point.
Phil Mack probably left Canadian shores last Saturday wishing that he was seated in the flight to Auckland with some sevens heavyweights on board in the selected Canada team.
Names like Gregor Dixon, Marco Di Girolamo, David Moonlight and Winston Stanley come to mind – instead the young UVic player must have looked up and down the aisle of the aircraft and only seen guys younger than he was.
It is no secret that the burden is heavy for the young man from Oak Bay Secondary School – he was thrust into the role of team leader and team “do-er” long before he wanted such responsibility – or needed it.
And now he is caught up in another storm – the Olympic ‘pathway’ and the preparation that is evolving here and abroad in all national team programs.
To be clear – it is always prudent to look ahead, plan and be thoughtful – absolutely. But what is unfolding in our day to day work must also be considered carefully.
Taking teenagers into WestPac Stadium does make sense but like any school outing there has to be enough ‘teachers’ along to give guidance and supervision.
Did we do the right thing with this selection?
After such a successful Day 1 few could possibly disagree and throw a dark cloud over that day. Things could not have worked out better and if this success is repeated in Las Vegas then everyone concerned will need a pat on the back – and more.
That being said – veteran players and sevens observers will tell you candidly that one ‘new cap’ on a trip is plenty. Canada took four to Wellington.
Of those selected only six players had played in the atmosphere which is unique to WestPac Stadium. And five of those six players had only been to Wellington once before.
On paper it was a huge gamble – clearly.
However what transpired on Day 1 was a coach’s dream – and while this performance and the outcome may have been commonplace several years ago, it is less likely to happen on the circuit these days.
For the most part the top teams work their way through the first day trying to post up wins without bleeding the tank of their high octane fuel which is required on Day 2.
Argentina’s siesta against Canada in game two of the tournament was their only real letdown before they bowed out of the tournament on Day 2 versus Wales in the Bowl Semi-Final.
Sure they lost to finalists Samoa on Day 1 but in hindsight that might have been anticipated. If they go poorly in Las Vegas then we should expect to see some changes in their selections.
Moving on – France who fell under our sword on Day 1 ended up in the Bowl Final against Wales where they did look a little short – but regardless they were in the final.
Samoa went through right to the Cup Final and lost a nail-biter to Fiji – a game which Samoa clearly should have won.
So Canada caused a stir in Wellington by reaching the Cup Quarter Finals. Some points (6) were earned and we now find ourselves in 10th position in the overall iRB Sevens standings – that in itself must be celebrated.
Above us are Wales with 12 points and Argentina with 22 points.
Now it’s onto Las Vegas, Nevada this coming weekend for another set of massive pool challenges for Canada.
Pool B - Fiji, South Africa and the USA.
A 12:06 kick-off in Nevada against South Africa is looming.
Our other Pool B opponents - Wellington winners Fiji should be on their game in Sin City if the distractions are not too much for them; South Africa are in turmoil at the moment, they have set the bar at the top after last season and anyone who wants to step into Paul Treu’s shoes would probably be welcomed with open arms; and the yanks are heading home to play in front of their fans.
If things go as the Americans hope the fans and gamblers will turn out in record numbers in the Nevada city – let’s hope so and let’s hope that Canada can provide another Day 1 like they did in New Zealand.
Word from the Canada camp is that Sean White has sustained a shoulder injury and that Brodie Henderson (Bayside Sharks) is on standby.
Henderson is presently attending firefighting classes and unable to leave for Nevada until Friday so there appears to be some hesitation on the part of the selectors – however after his performance on Saturday against the University of Victoria he is exactly the player Canada needs on the field in Las Vegas.
After speaking to Henderson yesterday he indicated that he has told the selectors about his situation - and he is prepared to leave for Las Vegas on Friday after classes. Let’s hope we get to see him on the ground at the USA Sevens.
Team for the iRB USA Sevens
Dustin Dobravsky
Sean Duke
Ciaran Hearn
Nathan Hirayama
Phil Mack
John Moonlight
Chris Pack
Taylor Paris
Keaton Styles
Connor Trainor
(Sean White)
Kris Witkowski
Day Two in New Zealand: Canada Lose to England and South Africa
by BCRN 7s Correspondent
posted Feb 6 2010
Canada started Day 2 in Wellington at 15:17 local time in the Cup Quarter Finals.
Their opponents – England - were in no mood to spread good will about and the end result was a 31-0 reality check for this young Canadian team.
It was clear from their last performance of the day that England was intent on re-establishing themselves in the kiwi capitol as they moved onto the Cup Semi-Final and sent Canada to the Plate competition.
Canada 0 v England 31
Canada’s challenge in the Plate Semi-Final was just as intense as they met South Africa who have under performed so far this season on the iRB Sevens circuit.
The coaching staff has been fairly consistent in their selection of the starters for each of their games thus far.
However in this Plate Semi-Final the inclusion of Taylor Paris and Dustin Dobravsky was a step away from the previous selections – also starting was Bayside Shark – Chris Pack.
The South Africans have a host of weapons in the short game and last night's final game of the evening between them and the New Zealanders was a close affair until the second half when the momentum suddenly changed after a missed tackle.
It was clear shortly after the 6:00 pm kick-off that Canada was in for another fast paced game with one of the elite leaders on the iRB Sevens circuit.
Taylor Paris scored a solo try and that was the end of the tournament for the Canadians who had caused quite a stir on Day 1.
Regardless of the final outcome on Day 2 several players have had the WestPac Stadium experience now and there is much to be said for that alone.
Next we have found our scoring touch again after a long drought and that must please the players and the staff alike.
Now it is time to get ready to do it all again in less than a weeks time in Las Vegas – and one thing is certain – Las Vegas will not resemble Wellington in any way, shape or form.
See you in Vegas!
Canada 5 v South Africa 29
Scorer: Taylor Paris - Try
Team for the iRB International New Zealand Sevens
Dustin Dobravsky (Shawnigan Lake School)
Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
Ciaran Hearn (NW Academy)
Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria)
Phil Mack (University of Victoria)
John Moonlight (Ontario Blues, Ajax Wanderers)
Chris Pack (Bayside Sharks RFC)
Taylor Paris (Toronto Irish RFC)
Keaton Styles (University of Victoria)
Connor Trainor (Western University)
Sean White (NW Academy)
Kris Witkowski (unattached)
Coach Morgan Williams
Day One in New Zealand: Canada Make It to Final Eight
[ed. very, very proud of the boys today as are all Canadian rugby fans]
from BCRN 7s correspondent
posted Feb 5 2010
Day One came and went with the usual fanfare and electric atmosphere at WestPac Stadium in the Kiwi capitol.
After another entertaining parade on Thursday the tournament began in earnest on Friday at 1:00 PM local time.
Costumes and excitement were the order of the day as Canada faced Argentina, Manu Samoa and finished the day against France.
The first game of the day featured another Pool D opponent as Samoa faced off against France.
Result: 31-19 for Samoa.
Next up - Canada against Argentina – with Santiago Gomes-Cora leading all iRB players in tries and presently standing third in total points it was not hard to see that the South Americans had some weapons.
But as so often happens in the short game - a lack of proper preparation can undo even the best teams.
And today it was Argentina’s turn to feel Canada’s thunder and we walked away with a well earned 26 – 7 victory.
The victory is a significant one as it has been several years since we have beaten the energetic Argentina side.
Canada 26 v Argentina 7
Scorers: Mack – Try; Duke – Try; Hearn Try; Paris – Try
Mack – 2 Conversions; Hirayama – 1 Conversion
Canada’s game against Samoa was a close affair.
However it has been sometime since we scored two converted tries against the island nation – and today both Hearn and Phil Mack ran in tries for Canada.
Again Mack was the spark plug collecting a try and converting Hearn’s try as well.
Clearly the confidence from the first win over Argentina has paid off despite the loss.
Canada 14 v Samoa 27
Scorers: Mack – Try; Hearn - Try
Mack – 2 Conversions
Canada finished the first day in Wellington with a flourish and a thrilling win over France. It was a vital win which Canada needed in order to position themselves for the Cup Round on Day Two.
Over the last several years France has been a thorn in Canada’s side in the short game so today was another milestone and significant achievement.
University of Victoria student Nathan Hirayama led the way with two tries and a conversion and team-mate Phil Mack finished Day 1 with 22 points overall.
Certainly Wellington is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit and this has been the best start Canada has ever had in the New Zealand capitol for many years.
What also has to be pleasing for the staff is the fact that we are scoring tries – something we have struggled with in recent years.
Canada 21 v France 19
Scorers: Hirayama - 2 Tries; Moonlight – Try
Mack – 2 Conversions; Hirayama - Conversion
Team for the iRB International New Zealand Sevens
Dustin Dobravsky (Shawnigan Lake School)
Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
Ciaran Hearn (NW Academy)
Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria)
Phil Mack (University of Victoria)
John Moonlight (Ontario Blues, Ajax Wanderers)
Chris Pack (Bayside Sharks RFC)
Taylor Paris (Toronto Irish RFC)
Keaton Styles (University of Victoria)
Connor Trainor (Western University)
Sean White (NW Academy)
Kris Witkowski (unattached)
Wellington 7s Live Tonight on Setanta; 7s Updates on Blog from Morgan Williams
[ed. comments below]
posted Feb 4 2010
Setanta (154 in Victoria) is covering the Wellington 7s live. My digital on-screen menu tells me it airs tonight at 11:45pm for 1.5 hours and then on Friday night at 10:30pm for 2 hours but check your local listings to verify.
Also check out Jeff Williams' 7s Blog for all the latest comments from players and coach, good stuff.
Morgan's Game Day Comments
Sevens – Team for New Zealand & Las Vegas
posted Jan 28 2010
from BCRN 7s Correspondent
The National Sevens Team leaves for Wellington this coming Saturday.
As the departure date nears there are still concerns about selections – especially regarding the European based players which the selectors might have wanted to insert into the line-up for Canada’s first iRB tournament of the season.
After two useful warm-up tournaments in Suva and Punta del Este plus the National Trial at the University of Victoria the selectors must have seen as much game tape as there was available.
However, availability remains an issue.
Veteran Justin Mensah-Coker has not been released from his club which presently stands 7th in the Division One English League.
Albion are presently 35 points behind Division leaders Bristol, 31 points behind second place Exeter and 14 points behind third place team London Welsh.
In a nut shell – Albion’s chances of promotion are slim at best and the question has to be asked at what point does iRB Regulation 9 come into effect and work in Canada’s favor?
While not confirmed at this time – the same situation may be true for Rotherham’s Adam Kleeberger and Bedford star James Pritchard – both profile sevens players in recent years.
Pressing home the iRB Regulation with the professional clubs has never worked and only threatens the contracts of our diligent men off-shore – but it remains a frustrating situation for our selectors and for our coaches.
What is confirmed at this point in time is that Phil Mack and John Moonlight will be in the squad leaving Canada on Saturday – also on the team are three other University of Victoria players – the speedy Sean Duke, playmaker Nate Hirayama and newcomer Keaton Styles.
Further - joining the team on this first iRB trip of the season for Canada will be Dustin Dobravsky from Shawnigan Lake School.
This is sensational news for the Shawnigan student – and also for his school which has long been a rugby nursery for the age-grade and national team programs in Canada.
It is no secret that the school has committed huge resources to our national teams over the years so this must be very satisfying for their administrators and for their marvelous coaching staff.
Dobravsky had an impressive sevens trial at the University of Victoria earlier this season - however the intense atmosphere in West Pac Trust Stadium should definitely be a new experience for the young Shawnigan player.
He will encounter first hand France, Argentina and Manu Samoa in Pool D on Day One – and then there is the intense kiwi crowd which has been waiting all year for this event to return to the capitol. What a thrill to start an international sevens career!
Dobravsky’s selection is a good one and makes perfect sense if we are to set our sights firmly on the future in the short game. There is simply nothing that can replace iRB tournament experience and this would seem to be a step in the right direction.
Also selected are Chris Pack, Sean White, Ciaran Hearn and Connor Trainor from Western.
Kris Witkowski returns to the sevens team after earning his 12th Cap two years ago in Edinburgh. This is a good selection as Witkowski was just beginning to become a force on the team when he stepped away from the game in 2008.
Youngster Taylor Paris is selected and gets a chance to shine at his first iRB tournament - clearly Wellington will be a baptism by fire in the “cake-tin” stadium for young Paris.
Surprising omissions from the team for this trip include Brodie Henderson and Neil Meechan.
As well – Dan Harlow, who trialed better than most, continues to be ignored in the team selections. And while age is might be considered a factor the fact remains that he competed with everyone else for a spot on the team and produced excellent form on the trial day.
Reports from Wellington indicate that HPD Geraint John and national coach Kieran Crowley landed in the New Zealand capitol earlier today to do a site visit for the upcoming RWC.
Both men are due to meet up with the sevens team when they land in New Zealand at the weekend – thus offering coach Morgan Williams some coaching assistance for the week preceding the tournament.
Team for the iRB International New Zealand Sevens
Dustin Dobravsky (Shawnigan Lake School)
Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
Ciaran Hearn (NW Academy)
Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria)
Phil Mack (University of Victoria)
John Moonlight (Ontario Blues, Ajax Wanderers)
Chris Pack (Bayside Sharks RFC)
Taylor Paris (Toronto Irish RFC)
Keaton Styles (University of Victoria)
Connor Trainor (Western University)
Sean White (NW Academy)
Kris Witkowski (unattached)
Coach Morgan Williams
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