49 replies to this topic

[del capo]

Gauging on field progress can sometimes be quite difficult.

Canada entertain the English Lions in Toronto (Lamport Stadium ) on 6th October with another game to be slotted in the following wednesday.

The Lions squad can be found on the RFL website . It is I would say of Championship club strength and their games are often used as a benchmark to measure others ( Serbia , South Africa etc ). This will be the case with Canada.

How do you think the game will go ?

[Spookylish]

I think the Lions game will certainly by a good measure of how this team is progressing. Don't want to make any assumptions about how the game will go. I just hope they have a fully fit squad to select from and they have a coach present. They played the game on Saturday without one. Jamie Lester was acting as player/coach that day as the new coach wasn't able to be there due to circumstances beyond his control.

Edited by Spookylish, 11 September 2012 - 01:40 PM.

[thirteenthman]

Premier Sports are due to be showing the Canada v USA game next Monday (17/9) at 10pm, followed by the Lebanon game.

[paulmac]

I wonder if setanta here in aus would show these games? They show co-op championship rugby league.Anyone got a contact for them

[deluded pom?]

Who is the new coach Spooky?

[druzik]

I think Canada also has a pretty big rivalry with the Poms too.

I am hoping that the crowd for the Lions game will be the biggest yet!

[paulmac]

On the subject of crowds , given Canada got 5000 for a match against Jamaica during the Carribean festival imagine if Ireland played Canada on St Pats day rather than the US.Id back them to draw 10,000.Make it happen CRL.

[Spookylish]

Who is the new coach Spooky?

Clayton Beckett. He's been involved with the team for a long time and is a natural replacement for Richie who is moving to Alberta.

[Spookylish]

Premier Sports are due to be showing the Canada v USA game next Monday (17/9) at 10pm, followed by the Lebanon game.

Excellent. Thanks for that. Now I can let my mum know

[brooza]

Premier Sports are due to be showing the Canada v USA game next Monday (17/9) at 10pm, followed by the Lebanon game.

Excellent! missed the Jamaica game and it didn't record, so will make sure I actually watch these as they're broadcast!

[bountyhunter]

is there any idea who the other game is for the lions

[Spookylish]

I think Canada also has a pretty big rivalry with the Poms too.

I am hoping that the crowd for the Lions game will be the biggest yet!

The crowd may be hit a little by the fact that it's Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. People will have stuff planned with their families. Lots of people head up to cottage country for the last long weekend before Christmas.

[Johnoco]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

No sweat. Still not got a reply tho.

However I like to think that it was my email that swung their decision to show the game.

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

http://www.rugbyleag...-in-a-thriller/

Here's an article with some pictures too.

[deluded pom?]

Clayton Beckett. He's been involved with the team for a long time and is a natural replacement for Richie who is moving to Alberta.

Ta.

[thirteenthman]

Just an update on the TV - Premier Sports are now due to be showing the Canada v USA game on Wednesday night (19/9) at 9pm.

The Lebanon match is still due to be repeated on Monday night at 11pm - hopefully they will show this, as when I recorded this on the first time it was due to be shown they didn't show it, and it never came up on the Sky Guide for them showing it again. Here's hoping...

[brooza]

Just an update on the TV - Premier Sports are now due to be showing the Canada v USA game on Wednesday night (19/9) at 9pm.

The Lebanon match is still due to be repeated on Monday night at 11pm - hopefully they will show this, as when I recorded this on the first time it was due to be shown they didn't show it, and it never came up on the Sky Guide for them showing it again. Here's hoping...

I was wondering about that, they have a triathlon listed at 10pm Monday. Canada v Lebanon is listed at 11pm

[thirteenthman]

I was wondering about that, they have a triathlon listed at 10pm Monday. Canada v Lebanon is listed at 11pm

Perhaps they're hedging their bets over whether they'll be able to show the USA match on time - as I said above, the Lebanon match wasn't shown when it was originally listed. Still, the fact that we're able to watch RL matches from Canada at all is something.

[keighley]

I think RL is a natural for Canada. They absolutely love ice hockey, a high speed contact sport which is played in winter. RL is a high speed contact sport played in summer and there are some seriously tough guys in Canada. I think it could have great potential. If they keep up this level of progress, I think the next WC qualifying tournament might be an absolute cracker with the US and Jamaica also improving.

[Fax1978]

Just finished watching the can vs leb game and I have to say I'm very impressed with Canada they were of I would say top end NCL bottom end Champ 1 standard in terms of physical attributes but what really stood out for such a fledgling RL nation was the level of skill. Most nations I have watched at this stage of development I would usually day full of heart, a bit of size and physicality just lack the skill. The Canadians were slightly the converse there understanding of the game, execution of plays, positioning, defence were all excellent. With semi pro or even professional levels of fitness being infroduced they could be seriously good.

I can also see why Chalmers and Dodds were selected to go to Hull FC Chalmers was is an exceptionally good player big, fast loose forward with surprisingly good passing skills. Dodds was a lively and competent hooker.

Have to also say the coverage, which is obviously done on a budget, was excellent good explanations of the rules and build up to the game with in game graphics that would not look out of place in a more expensive production.

I really cannot get over the technical competency of the Canadian players excellent when taking into account their relative lack of exposure to the game. The RFL should be looking to get involved some how as Canada could be a potential hotbed for RL.

Edited by Fax1978, 18 September 2012 - 10:14 PM.