Californie

Avec mon collègue Jim Delaney, head-coach de Canada U17 lors de notre tournée en Californie.

Avec les juniors Canadiens en Californie

Canada defeated the United States High School All Americans (U18's) by a score of 31 - 22 on Wednesday, in the first match of their winter tour.

Despite the warm weather, the conditions at Harder Stadium were deemed too flooded to begin the match, and the game was relocated to an artificial surface elsewhere on the University of California at Santa Barbara campus.

Team manager Fran Mason described the conditions:

"The rains that we hoped would not come arrived with a vengeance overnight and put the end to any hopes that we could play our game against the High School All Americans on the Harder Stadium field. From the practice session in the morning the artificial turf fields were quickly transformed into a rugby field."

The match opened with Canada playing into a strong wind, a situation which the Canadian boys had to deal with for two out of the three periods of play.

Relentless American forward pressure from their larger athleates kept the young Candaians on the back foor for much of the first twenty minutes, as Canada were beaten for two trys in the opening section of the match, one of which was converted, giving the USA a 12 point early lead.

Towards the end of the first period of play, Canada hit back with a well worked try through their backline by fly-half Mitch Brant. Unfortunately, the windy conditions made the conversion a challenge, and the score stood at 12 - 5 for the USA at the close of the first 20 minutes of play. Both teams then made substiutions.

If the first period of play belonged to the Americans, then the second period was all Canada. Using the strong wind to their advantage, the Canadians scored two trys within minutes of eachother towards the end of the second frame; through Bobby Grant and Jeremy Gardener.

With both trys having been converted by Fergus Hall, the Canadians had outscored their opposition 14 - 0 in that segment of the match. The total score of the match then stood at 19 - 12 for Canada, heading into the third and final period.

Canada looked to continue their momentum early in the third, notching yet another score, with Brandon Harrison grabbing his first of two tries on the day; however, the advantage of the wind soon began to tell. The USA was able to score two trys in close succession to narrow the gap. The score stood at 24 - 22 for Canada late in the third and final period, as the drama built.

Then, late in the game, Canada was able to mount one final surge downfield and collect the try that would seal the victory, and more importantly, cap a strong performance under tough conditions for the Canadian side.

The winning score came off of a searing line-break by lock Ried Tucker. From the ensuing ruck, Lyndon Duncan continued the move downfield. The ball was moved quickly to the backs, where Josh Boyles put in an intelligent chip-kick behind the American defense. Canada rushed forward to turn over the lone U.S.A. winger, and Brandon Harrison was able to finish things off with his second try of the game.

Coach Francois Ratier had these words following the match:

"I pleased to say that we showed great endeavor today and tried to play the high tempo game we had talked about at both selection camps and at our four practices. We encourage the boys to take risks and express themselves in the execution of their rugby talent."

Head Coach Jim Delaney echoed those sentiments:

"Well, obviously we are pleased with our performance today. I am also pleased to say that we saw all the things we had talked about and practiced over the past two days. I thought we started as I expected. With the Americans being older and more physicality mature it’s an experience that is daunting for these young men."

It’s rewarding for me and Francois to see the development of these players in their skills and in the player’s maturity and self confidence especially in the first period of the game and then in the latter part of the third period.

The other part of this development process that I am particularly pleased about is how the players that participated in last year’s events as 15 year olds have gone away and have improved their skills and their work ethic. They are ready for the challenges that will await them in the future. Players like Brandon Harrison, Sawyer Herron, Djustice Sears-Duru and Jorden Best have stood out for me both on and off the field. We will continue our preparation for Friday’s challenge."

Canada now looks forward to their second and final match of the tour, which takes place this Friday against, what is sure to be, a very determined American side.

Canada U17 Team vs. USA All Americans (U18's)

First Period (20 min) Score: USA 12 - Canada 5

Second Period (20 min) Score: USA 0 - Canada 14

Third Period (20 min) Score: USA 10 - Canada 12

Final Score: USA 22 - Canada 31

Trys: USA (4), Canada (5) - Harrison (2), Brant, Grant, Gardener

Conversions: USA (1), Canada (3) - Fergus Hall (3)

Penalties: N/A


Player (Province) School/Club

1. Djustice Sears-Duru (ON) Shawnigan/Crusaders
2. Keegan Fletcher (BC) Alpha/Rowing Club
3. Ryan Brethour (ON) Brock High School/Brock
4. Kirk Bonnis (BC) St. Georges/Rowing Club
5. Scott Gauer (ON) Lorne Park/Crusaders
6. Chris Woodhead (ON) Abbey Park/Crusaders (c)
7. Jeff Nishima-Miller (BC) SMUS/Cast. Wanderers
8. Oliver Nott (BC) Shawnigan Lake/Cowichan
9. Josh Boyles (ON) T.A.S. High/Peterborough
10. Mitch Brant (UK) St. Benedicts/Wasps
11. Ian Mcmaster (BC) Earl Marriott/Bayside
12. Bobby Grant (ON) St Thomas Aquinas/Lindsay
13. Brandon Harrison (AB) Shawnigan/Coyotes
14. Alex Kanty (BC) Oak Bay/Cast. Wanderers
15. Fergus Hall (BC) Glen. Norfolk/Cast. Wand.
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16. Jeremy Gardner (BC) St George’s/Rowing Club
17. Jorden Best (BC) Robert Batemen/Abbotsford
18. Michael Harvey (BC) Rockridge/Capilano
19. Nathaniel Hight (BC) Sands/Brit Lions
20. Lyndon Duncan (BC) Earl Marriott/Bayside
21. Macbryan Bos (BC) Glen. Norfolk/Cast. Wand.
22. Connor Weyell (BC) Handsworth/Capilano
23. Reid Tucker (BC) Van. College/Rowing Club
24. Sam Overton (BC) Okanagan Mission/Valley
25. Connor Willis (BC) GP Vanier/Comox Valley
26. Sawyer Herron (ON) Abbey Park/Crusaders
27. Adam McQueen (AB) Brentwood/Saracens RFC
28. John Pappas (ON) Bill Crothers SS/Markham

Staff

Head Coach: Jim Delaney

Assistant Coach: Francois Rattier

Manager: Fran Mason

Therapist: Laura Andrews
Media Officer: Jeff Hull

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