With not much to report on the home front in Canada we skip our usual wrap up of the game in Canada and use this opportunity to take a look at an issue that sadly is in danger of detracting from the enjoyment of our great game – refereeing. Last weekend’s potential spectacles were marredContinue reading “Refereeing consistency please!”
Author Archives: Neil Olsen
Rugby Championship 2014 – Excuse me, ref!
New Zealand vs Argentina Final score – NZ 28/Arg 9 Napier We will leave out the fact that the refereeing of this game was poor and discuss that later. It detracted from what was a solid contest and one in which the Pumas made the All Blacks work hard for 80 minutes. The only thingContinue reading “Rugby Championship 2014 – Excuse me, ref!”
Rugby Championship 2014 – Round 3 preview
Fixtures this weekend New Zealand vs Argentina – Napier While, there is little doubt that New Zealand are the favourites to walk away with a win from this match and easily take first place in the competition standings, it won’t be done without considerable effort and Argentina will cause problems for the All Blacks especiallyContinue reading “Rugby Championship 2014 – Round 3 preview”
Canadian Rugby Roundup
This week we take a quick look at Canada’s fixtures in Europe this autumn. I was surprised to see many citing these fixtures as excellent preparation for Canada’s campaign in next year’s Rugby World Cup. I for one, although not denying the value of the games, can’t help being disappointed at the quality of theContinue reading “Canadian Rugby Roundup”
A Role Model for Canadian Rugby
After the excitement of the Womens’ World Cup and Canada’s outstanding effort, it has been a quiet week and not much to report. However after watching the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship, it left me with food for thought on how we might find a role model for Canada’s own development of itsContinue reading “A Role Model for Canadian Rugby”
Rugby Championship 2014 – Round two
New Zealand vs Australia Final score – NZ 51/Aus 20 Auckland By now most of us will have recovered our breath from what was an absolutely stunning All Black performance at the expense of the Wallabies. As I mentioned in last week’s edition, I felt that the All Blacks would be the more effective teamContinue reading “Rugby Championship 2014 – Round two”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 – The final
Although the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup didn’t quite produce the spectacle and sense of elation from a Canadian perspective that last weekend’s game did, a huge step forward was taken by a very courageous and talented Canadian women’s team at Sunday’s final. England emerged victorious 21-9 and lifted the trophy but CanadaContinue reading “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 – The final”
Rugby Championship 2014 – opening rounds
Australia vs New Zealand: Final Score – Aus 12/NZ 12 Sydney As mentioned above the weather dominated both initial rounds of the Rugby Championship this past weekend, and although conditions in Sydney were not as horrendous as in Pretoria, they nevertheless played a significant part in reducing the spectacle that so many felt this gameContinue reading “Rugby Championship 2014 – opening rounds”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014
A HUGE congratulations to Canada’s Women’s Rugby team on beating the French in Paris in front of a very vocal French crowd and qualifying for the final against England on Saturday. The Men’s team should take note. Canada were electric against the French and this is one very talented, highly disciplined and motivated group. EnglandContinue reading “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014”
Rugby Championship 2014 – let the games begin!
Australia vs New Zealand – Sydney There is no doubt that this is the game of the weekend. After a dismal season last year that only got better at the last gasp on their European tour, Australia are finally, under coach Ewen McKenzie, starting to look like a serious contender for the Webb Ellis trophyContinue reading “Rugby Championship 2014 – let the games begin!”
The Lineout 