5 replies to this topic

[Honor James]

The first game in this year’s Colonial Cup takes place on Saturday when Canada – fresh from home victories over Jamaica and Lebanon – host the USA at Lamport Stadium, Toronto (kick off 8pm local time)

The Wolverines have named a 17-man squad to face the World Cup bound Tomahawks after defeating them 18–16 at home in the second leg of the Cup last year.

However, the Tomahawks are the holders after a greater point’s differential following their first leg 18–2 win and will be confident about repeating the feat after strong performances against Ireland and Tonga this year.

The only Canadian changes were enforced, due to injuries to Ottawa Rhinos trio of Justin Redguard, Stu McReynolds, and Graham Stevens.

Replacing them are Jared Curry who returns after making his debut against Jamaica, and London Skolar Louis Robinson who makes his 2012 return after playing three internationals in 2011.

New Canada Wolverines coach Clayton Beckett commented, “After a strong performance against Lebanon, the team pretty much selected itself. It’s a shame for the lads with injuries but we are excited to have Jared and Louis back as we know they will be up for the occasion.”

The 2012 AMNRL champion New York Knights and Grand Finalists Connecticut Wildcats provide the bulk of the USA squad, which is made up solely of domestic-based players as they focus on their debut in the 2013 World Cup.

“We will have few debutants mixed in with some veteran Tomahawks players, which hopefully is going to be a successful combination for us,” said USA assistant coach Marcus Vassilakopoulos.

“We are looking forward to a huge challenge against a very good Canada side that is coming off two big wins in front of the passionate Canadian fans.”

He added, “Over the two games I should be able to see all the players and report back to Matty (Head Caoch Matthew Elliott) what I've seen, how they interact with each other, how they prepare themselves and how they ultimately play. All these aspects will be considered for squads leading up to and for the World Cup in 2013."

CANADA SQUAD
Robin Legault, Tony Felix, Geoff Bylund, Christian Miller, Jared Curry, Matt Wyles , Jamie Lester ©, Keegan Watcham-Roy, Graham Dobbs, Louis Robinson, Cam Grace, Henry Miers, Chris Chalmers, Matt Pettie, Enoch Wamalwa , Mike Thorne, John Felix

USA SQUAD:
Fitzjames Adams (NY Knights), Gareth Baxendale (NY Knights), Luke Collins (PA Bulls), Bryan Confer (PA Bulls), Curtis Cunz (CT Wildcats), John Dykeman (NY Knights), Todd Fisher (NY Knights), Kelly McGill (Hawaii), Vai Notoa (Hawaii), Justin Ripley (NY Knights), Ben Sadgrove (NY Knights), Mike Schacter (CT Wildcats), Dennis Schmeiler (CT Wildcats), Sean Taylor (NY Knights), Louis Tulio (PA Bulls), Dusten Umeda (CT Wildcats), Matt Walsh (CT Wildcats), Kevin Wiggins (PA Bulls)

PHIL CAPLAN
RLEF MEDIA OFFICER

[rhinobulldog1]

I hear Canada now has two provincial teams, Ontario and BC Bulldogs but I cannot seem to find any fixtures, seems a little odd as I would expect it to be competitive and good for the game overall as well as the Canadian squad.

[Spookylish]

I hear Canada now has two provincial teams, Ontario and BC Bulldogs but I cannot seem to find any fixtures, seems a little odd as I would expect it to be competitive and good for the game overall as well as the Canadian squad.

Ontario has never fielded a provincial team to my knowlege. The BC team is brand new this year. Hopefully they will organise a fixture at some point. You have to remember though that there's a considerable amount of time and expense involved in flying one squad over to play the other. It's not quite as simple as 'lets have a game'.

Edited by Spookylish, 06 September 2012 - 05:14 PM.

[rhinobulldog1]

Ontario has never fielded a provincial team to my knowlege. The BC team is brand new this year. Hopefully they will organise a fixture at some point. You have to remember though that there's a considerable amount of time and expense involved in flying one squad over to play the other. It's not quite as simple as 'lets have a game'.

I presume that the Ontatio team would be mainly the Canadian team minus a few players. I understand the expense issue, although I know there has been some fundraising within the BC team as they have some fixtures in the US this summer. Maybe if Alberta get a team together they can meet for a week and play each other in a round robin format or similar option to involve the US club teams that have been going well the past few years.

Good to see the national team getting regular fixtures, but travel to Canda, as seen with Lebanon can be difficult as well so these internal / provincial games may prove valuable in the future.

[Spookylish]

I presume that the Ontatio team would be mainly the Canadian team minus a few players. I understand the expense issue, although I know there has been some fundraising within the BC team as they have some fixtures in the US this summer. Maybe if Alberta get a team together they can meet for a week and play each other in a round robin format or similar option to involve the US club teams that have been going well the past few years.

Good to see the national team getting regular fixtures, but travel to Canda, as seen with Lebanon can be difficult as well so these internal / provincial games may prove valuable in the future.

I believe the BC team played a Utah team, which is a hell of a lot closer to BC than Ontario is so it makes sense that they would do this. This is always going to be an issue with a truely national domestic competition because Canada is such a bloody enormous place and the major cities are fairly far apart.

I know that the Ontario based players are keen to play their BC counterparts. A Canadian State of Origin type game would be a great way to kickstart the International season and it would be very helpful for Canada national team selection too.

[Rubber Schnib]

Drat, can't make it.

The third game is on my birthday, though - I may have to pop up to Toronto and celebrate!

I've never been to Toronto, but I've heard lots of good things about it.