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Blues vs Wolfpack
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Posted 2 years ago -
OnRugby
MemberThe Blues meet the Wolfpack this Sat at Fletcher’s Fields. I am hoping for a big turnout. If you need some inspiring motivation for attending you can check out my thoughts on the game at my blog,
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
OnRugby
MemberI received a press release from the Blues that I have posted on my blog (see link below). Mark Winokur, GM of the Blues, confirmed attendance at the last two games saying there were 1,000 people in Calgary and about 1,200 to 1,400 in BC.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
rusty_lock
Member1400 isn't to bad a start for the bears
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
winger14
ModeratorI can believe 1200 - 1400. Not 2000 +
Good luck to the Blues this weekend! Hope they play BC for the Canadian title.
I think the Rock is going to provide stern opposition for the Bears this weekend.
Winger14
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
shack
MemberI just finished reading the write up on the RC site about the Wolf Pack's preparation for this game. Having watched their performance against the Rock played in Calgary I was surprized there was no mention of the lack of defense by the pack. I thought the forwards played very well in the set piece and on the loose ball but when the ball got out to the NF backs they were able to run through the Wolf Pack like they were stationary objects. If the coaching staff reads this I'd say he should spend some time on tackling drills .
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
Harry Craig
MemberLet's get a big crowd out tto support the Blues this weekend, fill the stand at Fletcher's and yes you Brampton guys it's okay if you want to cheer for Ryan Smith playing for his new team, just not cheer for the team. It's supposed to be sunny so there is no excuse not to be there, Looking forward to meeting lots of old opponents and team mates alike. See you all at Fletcher's on Saturday for a 3:00 pm kick-off.
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Posted 2 years ago -
Acadian
MemberI see that the Prairies beat Ontario 14 - 13. Can anyone offer any insight on the game?
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
OnRugby
MemberI was there. Disappointing crowd, maybe 400 people. Beautiful day for rugby though. Blues were the better team but lost because of huge amount of mistakes. They had the ball inside the 5 metre line 4 times (I believe) and only got a try once. Kicking was terrible as well(although the convert on the try was a great kick from a wide angle).
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
Harry Craig
MemberThe crowd was very dissappointing as was the rugby by both teams. Between 300 and 400 I would say, let's get a much bigger crowd next week and lets get vocal and support the home team. A beautiful day weather wise so why we didn't have better support I don't know. Piatek had an off day with his foot and neither team really took advantage of their opportunities on the day. If this tournament is about development then Ontario is on the right track, playing unknown youngsters, as opposed to BC who played Colin McKenzie to insure a win at the Rock, who got in on the youth movement with prop Rod Snow. If I'm Kieran Crowley I don't want ot see these guys I want to see youngsters who will be in the frame for 2011 0r even 2015. I guess if winning is all you care about then Mike James made the right call, but I really thought this was about what was best for Canadian rugby, not win at all costs.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Posted 2 years ago -
newbie
MemberHarry Harry Harry! What a spin doctor! If BC had of lost on the weekend you would have been in here mouthing off about how superior Ont rugby is and how BC is nothing without eastern players and blah blah blah! Yes Harry I have to admit that I am surprised those old old boys in BC Harry Jones, Sean White and Nathan Hirayama to name a few could get around the field without their canes!
Perhaps if Ont wants a chance at winning a game in the ARC they should suit up their womans team!
Posted 2 years ago # -
irishlock
MemberHarry, way to paper over the cracks and deflect criticism away from the paltry number of supporters that show up to another big rugby event in Toronto.
Here's the facts Ontario are 0 and 2. It's not relevant what their average age is or how much 'potential' they have if they can't win against what I'm sure you thought before this weekend was inferior opposition.
Posted 2 years ago # -
newbie
MemberWell said Irishlock, harry who up till this Fri has been in here yapping about how Ont has won four national titles ( three of them by the women) and how Ont is going to take BC and all oncomers. Now all of a sudden it isn't about winning! Come on Harry! and since when is the ARC a developement tourney? I wonder if anyone has told the USA and Argentina that that is what it is!
Posted 2 years ago # -
winger14
ModeratorLast time I looked Scot Dunham wasn't a young up and comer. Let's face all it, four teams want a mixture of youth and vetran presence. If anyone can lead by example and show what a solid work ethic can get you, it's Colin McKenzie.
The BC team is young. Make no mistake. Do they have vets. Darn right. As does every successful team. You need that mix.
Winger14
Posted 2 years ago # -
Harry Craig
MemberI had quite a few beers to drown my sorrows before last nights post so I wasn't thinking straight. Yes Dunham isn't that young but he was the only over thirty guy in the team. I know that BC have a bunch of youngsters but I doubt that McKenzie or Van Staveren will be playing for Canada again, as good as they both are. I meant to point out the differences in approach by the two teams.
Newbie do womens championships count less than men's. Not to me they don't. I am disappointed with Ontario's record and also the lack of support by the rugby public in Toronto but let me remind you that as unlikely as it seems that nothing is decided yet and the Blues can still win it all. There is nothing wrong with winning but it shouldn't be at the expense of developing young player's. Maybe having them play with veterans like Colin is a good idea, getting them used to winning can't be a bad thing.
I never tried to deflect criticism over a poor turn-out, it was what it was. We still get the best turn-outs for internationals, as we should as we are much larger than any other city in Canada. Yes we are 0-2, but we still have a chance and to advance to the final if we beat the Rock next week. I hope we get a much better crowd next week, I know I will be there and cheering loudly for the Blues. Go Ontario Go.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Toothlesstiger
ModeratorGentlemen of the Blues, all is not lost with the upcoming game with Dr. Rock and his beachcomers coming to town.
The positives, the Rock is playing away from the 16th man, the home crowd.
What has to be accomplished is for the Blues not to think of themselves on the beach at Dunkirk with all the glory of "stiff upper lips" but more along the lines of the Canadian on June 6th at Juno Beach in Normandy.
Full of pith and vinegar with their tails held high and launch their storm troopers into scoring 4 consecutive trys before the enemy scores just one point, the we have, oops, they have to out score the dreaded Cod walloper's by more than 13 points and we will be tied or ahead of the Rock and play the Bears again in the Canadian final.
It is easy, just go out there and get the job done. It can be done and I sincerely hope they do get the required results. Afteral what other reason do they have for taking the field next weekend? Win big or impress the hell out of the 2 - 3 hundred spectators with the guile, determination and stubborn pride to be wearing the Ontario colours, the Blues.
Go Blues Go !!! See you on Saturday at Fletchers.
Harry, could you get an appointment with a fashion consultant before gracing us with your company next Saturday and please ditch the green shoulder bag. It is just not you son!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
hornybee
MemberWe had a discussion about watching the game as we were travelling to Niagara on Saturday, and wondering why all the Toronto teams were being shipped out to the far flung fields on that particular day. (Not that we were complaining about the bus trip, and Niagara was a good host with food as usual) but, the lads were not thinking about travelling all the way back from Niagara to Markham to make the Ontario game. It is hard to tell from the "schedule" on the ORU site, but it looks like most games were outside of Toronto. (Again on a usual day not an issue) and I doubt others were planning on travelling en masse to Markham. I know a few were and good on them, but why weren't more games at FF? I mean we are already gouged at the gate, so if they were to tack on $5 to get in, and have the Blues game start a half hour or so after all the others had finished, wouldn't that have made a captive audience? Maybe I am the crazy one?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Shameless Homer
MemberIf I''m not mistaken, I thought the ARC was our stab at creating a domestic competition that would have as many players as possible competing at as high a level as possible. To operate strictly as a developmental league would not create the level of competition we are looking for. If they are paying attention, young players can learn a lot more from the Colin McKenzies than they would playing with or against the same guys they've seen all the way through age levels.
Posted 2 years ago # -
OnRugby
MemberI don't think there was ever a stated mandate for ARC other than as the next step after RCSL and NA4. Certainly Canada, USA and Argentina are approaching it differently. From reading a couple of different sources it is supposed to accomplish the two goals of developing young talent and at the same time provide a place for players who do not have a contract in Europe a place to play. It certainly appears that the IRB are trying to mimic the pro structure in Europe (domestic league with champions league above that).
As for attendance at FF I think the point made about McCormick cup games being out of town probably did have an impact on the attendance. Probablt something to think about for next year. Combining the McCormick cup on the same day as ARC could benefit both competitions in terms of attendance.
The ORU site is malfunctioning at the moment but someone at the game on Sat told me that the Aurora Barbarians would be playing their game at FF this Sat before the Blues. Hopefully this will help bring in a better crowd this week.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Harry Craig
MemberHornybee if you think $20 dollars is gouging wait till you see the price for World Cup tickets to the big games in New Zealand. I was told by the power's that be that it is hard to have club games before the main game cause some of the people there for the early game won't want to (or will say they don't want to) watch the Blues game and how do you make sure they leave. It is true though that Irish and Barbs will be meeting at Fletcher's in an early game, there may be a couple of others as well. I understand not wanted to come back from Port Colborne to Fletcher's, even if it was an early kick-off but what about the people who played at Markham RFC that day, it's about a ten minute drive. I also saw quite a few Brampton players and supporters on their way home from Peterborough, I guess they were happier than most of the supporters there as the captain of the Wolfpack is an ex Beaver. I hope we can learn from the mistakes this yeaar and improve the set up next year. Growing pains can be overcome. Let's get a much bigger crowd next week.
Posted 2 years ago # -
hornybee
MemberSure so the teams playing there submit a game sheet before 9am game day showing that up to 22 people are playing for your club that day, then only charge $10. I am no accountant but 0x$20=$0, but 22x$10=$220, and a lot bigger chance of people watching the game, eating food, consuming libations. Has no-one in ORU ever heard of supply and demand? Good on you who went to support it, but really rugby in Ontario needs to attract people not bleed dry those who already support it.
Posted 2 years ago #
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