Canada vs. Japan

Well - If the peeps at camp weren't watching the Canada vs. Japan game on Tuesday night at my house - they certainly heard me screaming at my tele until midnight as Canada trailed and then tied Japan in Canada's second to last game at the Rugby World Cup. The win would have meant Canada would secure third place in their pool - the best place finish in history for our Canucks. The 23-23 draw meant that third still happened but they would drop to 12th in the World Ranking. An "insignificant" drop? Maybe. But 11th would be one away from attaining Tier 1 nation status. Who would have even thought that was possible...or imaginable for the land of snow and ice and...hockey.

The game was a frustrating to watch...no less to play, I'm sure. I didn't feel that Canada came out with the organization and fire that they certainly showed when they faced Tonga and definitely not when they faced France. Had the team who played France last week shown up...I think the result would have been completely different. That team would not have turned over as much ruck ball, wouldn't have missed key place kicks, and would have played a little more gutsy, a little more "nothing to lose" in Napier.

 

Their first half was...well, horrible. Handling errors were high and tackling was nearly non-existent. The Brave Blossoms powered through rucks and overturned ball. It was nothing short of courageous. Isn't that how our boys in red and black have been playing that has drawn such attention this last month?

The draw was the third in RWC history...two of those draws belonging to the Japan and Canada match up. The two bleached blonds - Van der Merwe and Mackenzie saved the game for Canada. I do have a bit of confusion as to why Riordan was pulled off so soon - I would love to hear Crowley's explanation for it. Hamilton, 16 yrs old, did well as far as running onto the ball with pace and getting around the field but my pet peev about hookers getting their job right (throwing straight in line outs and hitting your jumper) stands. Otherwise you can get any Joe off the street that can run the ball and hit hard. There's plenty of them around. But throwing the ball straight and to your mark is what separates you from the other guys...so do it right! And Canada can't risk sucking at their set piece. The only thing I can think of with Crowley pulling Riorden off is that he wants his experience on the pitch when Canada faces the giant (All Blacks) on Sunday in NZ.

So I'll leave it at that. Canada - we're proud of you and go make us proud this weekend. You face an impossible foe. For all of us (and if it weren't NZ...I would say) do the impossible.