This weekend sees the Northern Hemisphere start their preparations for the World Cup with a series of warm-up matches, beginning with Wales facing Ireland in Cardiff. In a unique scenario where both coaches have been talking to each other regarding selections, this match has a very experimental feel to it as both sides seek to developContinue reading “Experimentation is the order of the day as Wales and Ireland seek to establish some depth in their first warm up game leading up to the World Cup!”
Author Archives: Neil Olsen
Australia and New Zealand battle it out for this year’s Rugby Championship while South Africa seeks to set the right tone for the World Cup against the Pumas!
The Rugby Championship wraps up this weekend, and Australia and New Zealand will do battle in Sydney to decide who gets to keep the silverware this year. Meanwhile in Durban, South Africa find themselves having to tough it out with Argentina for third place. This year’s abbreviated tournament due to the World Cup looming onContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand battle it out for this year’s Rugby Championship while South Africa seeks to set the right tone for the World Cup against the Pumas!”
Canada come short yet again against the US and it’s time to face some hard facts with weeks to go before the World Cup!
Put your hand up if you’re a frustrated Canadian supporter – as I get the impression there are an increasing number of us! Once again Canada loses a game they easily should have won, and sure there were some impressive performances but they simply cannot justify a track record of just 4 wins in 15Continue reading “Canada come short yet again against the US and it’s time to face some hard facts with weeks to go before the World Cup!”
In another Springbok/All Black classic at Ellis Park, South Africa come agonisingly close but just miss the mark.
A Springbok/All Black encounter at Ellis Park always showcases one of rugby’s greatest rivalries and this past Saturday was no exception. South Africa sadly came short against an All Black side which at times didn’t quite have its customary sparkle, but nevertheless when it matters New Zealand still are second to none in closing out bigContinue reading “In another Springbok/All Black classic at Ellis Park, South Africa come agonisingly close but just miss the mark.”
Canada put in a huge peformance against Samoa and restore some much needed pride and confidence only to have it snatched away at the final whistle!
Canada finally puts in an almost complete performance in a thrilling encounter at BMO field in Toronto against Samoa, but a last-minute lapse in concentration sadly sees them just miss the victory they so desperately needed. Nevertheless, there were a ton of positives to take out of Canada’s performance on Wednesday night. The majority ofContinue reading “Canada put in a huge peformance against Samoa and restore some much needed pride and confidence only to have it snatched away at the final whistle!”
After failing to impress against Tonga it’s make or break for Canada as they take on Samoa in the last round of the pool stages of this year’s Pacific Nations Cup
After coming short against Tonga, Canada has to come up with the goods this Wednesday to avoid the wooden spoon in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup. In an exciting Triple Header at BMO field in Toronto which yours truly will be fortunate enough to attend, we also get to see the USA take on TongaContinue reading “After failing to impress against Tonga it’s make or break for Canada as they take on Samoa in the last round of the pool stages of this year’s Pacific Nations Cup”
The opening round of the Rugby Championship sees the All Blacks impress against a solid effort from Argentina, while Australia get their road to the World Cup off to the right start at South Africa’s expense!
A great opening weekend sees the All Blacks show us just what they are capable of against a spirited Argentinian side. There was never really any doubt that New Zealand would ultimately come out on top against a slightly under strength Pumas team. However, the Pumas made New Zealand work hard for the full eightyContinue reading “The opening round of the Rugby Championship sees the All Blacks impress against a solid effort from Argentina, while Australia get their road to the World Cup off to the right start at South Africa’s expense!”
Canada’s opening foray in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup gets off to a shaky start as they are taught some lessons by a very impressive Japan!
Canada opened their Pacific Nations Cup campaign in San Jose, California this weekend against an impressive looking Japanese outfit. This was also Canada’s first step on the road to the World Cup in England in two months time and although outplayed by the Japanese for much of the match there was a glimmer of hopeContinue reading “Canada’s opening foray in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup gets off to a shaky start as they are taught some lessons by a very impressive Japan!”
The Southern Hemisphere starts its Road to the World Cup with this year’s abbreviated Rugby Championship!
The next month sees an abbreviated Rugby Championship as a result of the World Cup only 2 months away but the brevity of this year’s competition certainly doesn’t diminish the significance or importance of the tournament. What it does perhaps highlight is a challenging travel schedule over a relatively short period of time, with Australia andContinue reading “The Southern Hemisphere starts its Road to the World Cup with this year’s abbreviated Rugby Championship!”
As Canada begin their journey to the World Cup, we once again sadly suffer from a lack of coverage of their efforts in Canada!
It is with dismay and increasing frustration that as Canada start their Pacific Nations Cup campaign on Saturday in San Jose against Japan, I have to report that Canadian supporters will have to resort to trawling the Internet a few days after the game to find any kind of video content of the match, despiteContinue reading “As Canada begin their journey to the World Cup, we once again sadly suffer from a lack of coverage of their efforts in Canada!”
The Lineout 