25-6 for Ireland at the Ireland-Canada
Rugby Challenge at UBC Thunderbird Stadium
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PHOTO CREDIT: Gemma Kimbley
IRELAND'S RUGBY TEAM played Canada in Vancouver's Thunderbird Stadium on May 23 and over 7,000 gathered to watch the event.
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TOM O`SULLIVAN: An enthusiastic Ireland supporter at the Ireland-Canada rugby match.
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By MARCUS TREACY
VANCOUVER - On a day that saw Leinster become the third Irish province to be crowned champions of Europe, Ireland took on Canada at Thunderbird Stadium in UBC.
Ireland did not have their top 15 available to play as some were with Leinster in Edinburgh and others were absent travelling with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa.
The day should have suited Canada as the Irish weren't used to playing rugby in the sunshine. Over 7,000 people packed into Thunderbird Stadium, in what could have been the last game to be played there if the condo development goes ahead.
Munster's Barry Murphy was first to score after 18 minutes, and Heatley's conversion made it seven-nil to the visitors. Ireland struggled to keep possession throughout the first half and the Canucks failed to capitalize but managed to finish the half within a score of the Grand Slam champions. The half finished 3-7.
The Canadians started strong in the second half and within three minutes James Pritchard had narrowed the Irish lead to just one point. The home side kept the pressure on but again failed to capitalise and turn territory and possession into tallies on the scoreboard.
But by the 56th minute, Heatley had slotted a penalty to bring the score to 6-10.
The major turning point occurred when a cynical penalty by flanker Adam Kleeberger, an intentional knock on, caused the referee to promptly show the yellow card.
With the Canadians down to 14 men Heatley slotted over another penalty to give a 13-6 lead.
The stadium erupted, in what was to be Canada's best scoring opportunity when DTH van der Merwe broke through Ireland's line. Unfortunately a poor pass and a subsequent knock on caused Canada to lose possession.
Referee Chris White let Ireland play the advantage and run the ball from within their own 22.
Ryan Smith found himself defending a six man overlap. The ball was moved a few times before Whitten eventually scored in the corner. Heatley converted to bring the score to 20-6 with 17 minutes left on the clock.
An invigorated Ireland side was not done scoring. This time the forwards bashed their way through the Canadian pack and Tony Buckley the benefactor.
The home side piled on the pressure in the last few minutes, but a concerted Irish effort ensured their line remained uncrossed. The final whistle blew and the game ended 25-6 to Ireland.
In the week leading up to the game, five more Canadian players were awarded contracts to play in Europe.
This should be a massive lift for the players to play in competitive rugby during the regular season. But where does that leave rugby in Canada?
Western provincial teams are lacking serious opposition from the rest of Canada and the United States. This means that the top players in Canada must get contracts abroad if they want to play at the top level.
Before the game had even started, Canadian Head Coach Kieran Crowley, had the objective that Canada would not give away more than 10 penalties in a game. The Kiwi has much bigger objectives for his team with two world cup qualifiers coming up against the U.S. in the coming weeks, along with the Churchill Cup.
Irish rugby seems to be on the up and up. Ireland did the unthinkable by winning the Grand Slam for the first time in 61 years.
Leinster followed Munster's steps and won the Heineken Cup for the first time this year and the fourth time the cup has been brought back to Ireland.
Munster succeeded Leinster in winning the Magners League this year. Ireland U20's are gearing up for the world cup in Japan, opening game June 5.
Club rugby is growing with most clubs filling their youth programs with players as young as five.
Mini rugby has taken the primary schools by storm and tag rugby has taken off for those who don't like the contact aspect of the game. Even though Ireland had 12 uncapped players in the squad against Canada, all the players are playing professional rugby. It is time for Canada to step up and embrace the professional era.
THE IRELAND TEAM coached by Declan Kidney consisted of a few of the Heineken Cup-winning Munster rugby team although they did not have their top 15 available to play as some were with Leinster in Edinburgh and others were absent travelling with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa.
THE CANADIAN TEAM coached by New Zealander Kieran Crowley is currently ranked 15th in the world. They are using their Tests against Ireland and Wales as preparation for two crucial 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifier clashes with Eddie O'Sullivan's U.S. Eagles in July.
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