This past weekend was the very important NACRA Sevens tournament hosted by USA Rugby in North Carolina. Canada had a great Saturday, winning three of three, and looked really good going into Sunday. There was only one small problem…..the USA team looked good too, also not dropping a single game. So on Sunday, when our boys went out and began with a decided victory, it was still looking positive. Until later that day and we met our feisty neighbours in the final. And lost. Badly.
The US took it 21-5. Harry Jones scored our single try.
Canada’s Hope for Rio Rests in Repechage in 2016
The press release from Rugby Canada was fairly simply stated: “Canada suffered Cup final and Rio qualification disappointment against USA after they lost out 5-21 in the NACRA Sevens in North Carolina on Sunday. The winner of the Cup showdown not only claimed the tournament bragging rights but also booked themselves a place at the coveted 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.”
Now, okay, I am a massive fan. I am loud and passionate and watch the games for the tactical as much as other aspects. I am not sure what a typical fan is but I would suppose I am a-typical in many respects, since my husband and I pretty much live rugby, play rugby, breathe rugby. So it came as no surprise to me that I FELT this loss right along with the boys. It was devastating after such a perfect day 1 to lose so badly to our fiercest rivals. It seemed so unfair.
Now in the days since Sunday, the Canadian Press is finally interested in our Canadian Sevens teams. Sadly it’s because the 7s men don’t yet have a berth in Rio while the women do. CBC’s headline is the first to pop up in a Google search, a heart-wrenching “Canada beat by U.S. at rugby tournament, fails to qualify for Rio: Team has final chance to qualify for the Games via the repechage tournament”.
I feel so bad for the guys, for John Moonlight in particular, who has been so awesome as Captain of this team, who works his heart out, who plays for the guys on his team as much as for himself, who told me a few months ago that Rio 2016 is his goal. I want him to get there so much, because he’s a hell of a guy and he deserves to get there. That’s to say nothing of Harry Jones, Phil Mack, Sean White, all great and gracious men who we respect very much. Then there is the rest of the team too, coach Liam Middleton, and the rest of the Rugby Canada support team that we want to see stand for Canada in Rio. We like these guys. We follow them, they are fantastic ambassadors who represent our country, their home teams, their families and themselves so well. We are proud of them. So to be blunt their loss to our number one rivals on Sunday sucks. That’s all there is to it.
Now, let’s remember that it was a very decisive day one for Canada with loads of promise from some key and reliable players; Mike Fuailefau had a heck of a tournament and is a great asset for this team. Phil Mack was back from the sick bay and showed why he’s special as a Sevens player, scoring tries, quick off the ball as always, kicking well, making snap decisions. He was on top of his game. Harry Jones has been strong all season and continued that, as has Sean Duke and Nate Hirayama. John Moonlight and Tyler Ardron also had a good tournament and continue to be a presence in the breakdown. There are lots of positives….but I am sure that is little consolation to Moonlight, Middleton, and the team.
Now all we can do is wait and hope that early next year Canada comes back and kills it in the repechage tournament. We will be there sending every bit of strength we can to our guys so they can get to Rio. And frankly, we will be there if they don’t. But let’s not think about that.
Still with you John and boys.
#RedNation #RugbyUnited
