CANADIANS READY TO FACE UP TO WELSH RUGBY CHALLENGE

The Canadian team has moved to Cardiff, Wales, just a quick one hour flight from Shannon, Ireland, where the tourists departed from after a hard night of rugby at Thomond Park versus Ireland.

With a solid night of sleep - and each player absorbing the loss in his own way - it was back to work on Monday.

Most of the UK is in the grip of heavy rain, wind and low temperatures and the prinicipality was no different as the first session was moved on to artificial turf at Glamorgan RFC, as regular pitches were waterlogged.

The team got back to basics - and will be building towards Friday night’s match against the Welsh - in what is expected to be a sold out Millennium Stadium.
Coach Kieran Crowley acknowledges that the game against Ireland was a tough one - but he also sees the long view - and the lessons gained from that match for some of the newer players in the squad will pay dividends down the road.

“You play the best teams in the world and get a measure of where you are at,” offered Crowley, who has six games as Coach with the Canadian squad under his belt. “It was a tough game for us - but we had some good patches - there were some positives.

“But you know - in the end the pace of the game and the physicality and the pace they played at showed. We got off to a dreadful start - we got a little shell shocked I think.

“We’ve got Wales on Friday - a six day turn around and it comes up on you in a hurry.

“We’ve had a look at the game and addressed a few issues, and we will look at how we want to play against Wales and in five more days time we are out on the pitch against them.”

Phil Mackenzie, who got onto the pitch for his second cap against Ireland, says the experience gained on this tour has been enormous.

“You definitely learn a lot,” said the Oakville, Ontario native, who now lives in Victoria as part of the national carding program. “Every time you step on the field - I have probably learned more in the last two games than I have in a couple of seasons of club rugby.

“I think you have to take every experience and try and get better.”

On the aspect of touring - this veteran of the sevens circuit is enjoying life with the full fifteens version of the sport.

“It’s really great - really enjoying the experience,” said Mackenzie.

Crowley will be naming the team to face Wales on Wednesday.

Tags: Rugby Canada