Rugby Canada is revelling in their World Cup experience, despite two painful losses in as many games.
The first loss in their opening match to Ireland on the second day of the World Cup was not unexpected. Ireland are a force to be reckoned with and came into World Cup fully expecting to reach the semi-final stage (at least).
The second loss to Italy this last weekend was a lot more painful. Canada had two tries in the match by DTH Van Der Merwe and Matt Evans and played an incredibly physical game, as well as a really great attempt at the try line by Phil Mackenzie that was disallowed.
Canada lost 23-18 to the Azzuri, and I’m sure there isn’t one player among them that isn’t kicking himself for ‘what could have been’ despite the gallant effort.
One such player who can be really extra hard on himself and who has driven himself to the extreme in order to get to his first ever Rugby World Cup is Phil Mack. Phil has wanted this opportunity to play for his country at this tournament since 2011 when he missed the chance due to a nagging injury.
Phil has been with Rugby Canada since 2009 and has worked especially hard in the last two years to fine tune his performance as Scrum Half, which he has done to perfection. He is not only efficient in the breakdown but he has the knack for passing the ball faultlessly, and is very quick and nimble. He’s been used as an “enforcer” of sorts, with Crawley choosing most often to call upon Phil as a replacement player to try and effect some last minute opportunities for his team.
Phil Mack of the Toquaht First Nation (on Vancouver Island, BC) celebrated his 30th birthday the day before Canada opened their World Cup Campaign, and what a milestone year to celebrate at a milestone event. It’s an exciting time for a player who has worked so hard to get the honour to represent both his nation and his First Nation on the world stage in 15s. Phil is already on the world stage as a 7s star and has been named to the World Rugby 7s Dream team as well as to various tournament dream teams.
When I asked Phil whether or not he thought he would ever get to the ‘big show’ which is World Cup, he said that he’d always dreamed of playing in the world’s greatest rugby event and that he was “just taking it one day at a time and trying to enjoy the most of it.” Of making the transition to 15s after such a heavy and successful season with the 7s program, and a gold medal performance in Toronto in which Phil took over crowd incitement duties, Phil says that the transition gets easier each time because the players involved in both are getting used to it over time.
Of the hard graft the Canada 7s team put in to win the gold medal at the Pan American Games in July, Phil says “winning a gold at home is one of the highlights of my career for sure. The support we got from the crowd at BMO [Field in Toronto], but also from around Canada, was really inspiring for the players. I will remember that tournament for a very long time.”
When Phil comes on the field, the crowd explodes. Not just because he builds them up on purpose (though he does do that, and it does work very well), but because he’s a great player. I asked Phil if he feels responsible in a way knowing that his ardent supporters fully expect that his appearance on the pitch will make a difference to the team, and he replied in typical humble fashion that it’s never about him but about the team and all 15 of the men on the field.
As mentioned Mack’s fitness levels are in top form at the moment. He’s been working really hard at it for the last year to keep fit after a couple of serious knee injuries that he had to work to recover from. He says that the body feels the best it’s ever felt right now, credit to the team around him who works with him and his body to keep him in top shape. His daily regimen is impressive. Phil explains: “I am a carded athlete, so we train as a group in Victoria at the COE [Rugby Canada Centre of Excellence]. We have a very professional setup, which includes weight trainers, coaches, physiotherapists and management all in the same spot on a daily basis. There is a group of about 25 players around, so each day guys are competing for a spot. It leads to a highly competitive environment, which is what we need as domestic players. I can tell you the future is bright, there are a lot of young guys coming through, and putting pressure on us older guys.” To hear this veteran player say that the future is bright is heartening indeed.
Mack’s hope for World Cup is just to do what he’s asked to do, and to do it well. He doesn’t want to let down his team, as he felt he did the last time Rugby Canada met our southern neighbours the USA Eagles in Ottawa before the team left for the World Cup in England. He felt entirely responsible for having a moment where his discipline waned and he was yellow-carded for stamping. That ten minutes, he feels, cost the boys the game. He was very upset with himself, describing the time in the sin bin as “helpless”, so he doesn’t want to let that sort of slip-up happen again.
Mack says Rugby Canada are great at the basics and just needed that all-important time together as a team. He also says that his goal for this World Cup is in line with the team’s goal: “We have the mindset where we want to just stick to what we do. Obviously analysis comes in to play but as long as we can all get on the same page and work as a unit the results will take care of themselves.” Canada shows time and again that this age-old cocktail of working as a unit and getting on the same page works. As soon as this team has had ample time together they gel and they get the magic happening.
The game against Italy this past weekend was definitely one of the most entertaining games at the World Cup thus far, and the team spirit was out in full force. As were the Canadian supporters, which Phil loves to see.
Phil has said that the support the Canadian players get from the fans is some of the best he’s seen. He is surprised at the number of fans that follow the Canadian teams around the world, and he’s always pumped up to see a sea of red as he looks up at the stands from the field. He says the louder the fans cheer, the more energy it gives the players.
Phil’s got energy to spare as well, having spent his recent years as a student at the University of Victoria, and then also as the Head Coach of Thunder Rugby from Vancouver Island. Thunder Rugby is close to Phil’s heart, and is part of his present as well as his future plans. As a great ambassador of the game, as one who displays gratitude and is thankful of his spot rather than expectant of it, there can be no one better to teach the kids in the program the fundamentals.
Thunder Rugby has grown in popularity and is creating potential future Rugby Canada athletes. Mack explains: “Thunder Rugby is a program that gives young aboriginals an opportunity to get involved in sport. We have just finished our second season with the program and consider both [seasons] huge successes. I think popularity has grown because the kids have had a good time. It’s a unique team and we have tried to create a team culture that includes friendship, leadership, fun, as well as a west coast aboriginal flair. Teaching self-pride and belief is a goal and I think we accomplished that the first two years. Hopefully over time we can grow the program, and other places [can] start their own likewise programs.”
Whatever the case, whatever the future holds for Phil Mack, it’s going to be bright, as he says the future of rugby in Canada will be. Phil will be part of the rugby community for many years to come, and will bring a lot of good to whatever roles he takes within it. He’s definitely one to watch, and is always glad to show his thanks for being lucky enough to do what he does, play rugby for Canada.
With two games left for Canada in the Rugby World Cup, it will be great to see what he’s able to accomplish on the field. He says of the next two games (Thursday Oct. 1 versus France and Oct 6 against Romania) that the team is “eager to get back on the pitch after that Italy loss, and are still aiming for two wins. A bit tougher route but that has to be our goal.”
His Thunder Rugby team will be watching and cheering Phil Mack and Rugby Canada to that goal, as will I and the rest of the #RedNation.
