For a second straight year, rugby fans can see some of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 top talents in action at the Americas Rugby Championship starting tomorrow (Oct. 11) at Westhills Stadium.
Team Canada, an assemblage of the countryB次元官网网址檚 top domestic players B次元官网网址� those not playing professionally overseas B次元官网网址� takes on Uruguay in 15s play at 4:30 p.m., following a 2:30 p.m. match between the U.S.A. and Argentina.
B次元官网网址淭he ARC is a talent identifying tournament,B次元官网网址� says Bryan Kelly, Rugby Canada national teams spokesperson. B次元官网网址淕uys from this team will be selected to play on tour with the senior team (leading up to) the World Cup next year in the U.K.B次元官网网址�
Some of the players wearing the red and white in ARC matches Oct. 11, 15 and 19 at Westhills will be familiar to local rugby watchers. More than a dozen play regularly in the CDI Direct Insurance B.C. Premier League, the hotbed of rugby in this province. The league has three teams: James Bay, Castaway-Wanderers and the University of Victoria, contesting matches locally.
Scrum half Jamie Mackenzie, who plays for the UVic Vikes and is playing in his third ARC B次元官网网址� and second in Langford B次元官网网址� says having local fans cheer on the national team is a major boost for the players.
B次元官网网址淧ersonally, IB次元官网网址檓 just excited to be playing at a higher level than we usually get to play together as a group. But another really exciting part is playing in front of the crowd at Langford,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he support was amazing last year. It gives all the boys that extra little boost at the end of the game when weB次元官网网址檙e tired.B次元官网网址�
Speaking of getting tired, the teams will play three matches in eight days, a rather punishing schedule considering B.C. Premier League teams play once a week.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite tough on the body, but weB次元官网网址檝e got a great training staff who work with us,B次元官网网址� Mackenzie says of his past experiences. B次元官网网址淎fter the game itB次元官网网址檚 all about recovery, getting the right food in and managing your body. ItB次元官网网址檚 definitely a bit of a grind, but itB次元官网网址檚 so exciting and so fun youB次元官网网址檙e not really thinking about those kinds of things at the time.B次元官网网址�
From a competitive standpoint, Team Canada will be disappointed if they donB次元官网网址檛 come away with three wins, he says, adding that perennial ARC champ Argentina is expected to give them their toughest game.
Head coach Kieran Crowley and his staff will be watching their players closely during the tournament. Their performance can help them secure a selection to Team Canada for the month-long European tour which heads out three days after the last ARC game. The tour will see Canada play national sides in Wales, England, France and Romania.
B次元官网网址淭he ARC is a pretty big stepping stone toward the level where youB次元官网网址檙e playing full international matches,B次元官网网址� Mackenzie says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty big for guys who maybe havenB次元官网网址檛 (been capped) before.B次元官网网址�
Last yearB次元官网网址檚 matches at West- hills attracted large crowds and this year is expected to be much the same. Tickets are still available online at events.rugbycanada.ca or in person at City Centre Park in Langford, Spank it Sports in Saanich or at Tourism VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 information centre on the Inner Harbour.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
