New-look Canucks set for fishy clash
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:23
Canada Coach Kieran Crowley has named a re-jigged front row and a new cap on the wing when announcing his team to face Scotland in their fourth and final autumn Test match on Saturday.
The fixture will take place at an unlikely venue (Pittodrie) in Aberdeen, with a forecast of 3 C, snow squalls, and a possibility of fish blowing onto the field from nearby waves!
In the front row, Cornish Pirate's Scott Franklin comes in at tighthead prop - allowing Mike Pletch to slide to the hooker spot, replacing Pat Riordan who was injured in the game against Wales.
The second row remains unchanged from last Friday night's pairing, with Vancouver's Tyler Hotson and Lantzville, BC's Josh Jackson providing height in the line and some heft in the engine room.
In the back row New Brunswick native Jebb Sinclair wins his second straight start and his fourth cap, showing his stock as a flank has risen through the length of this tour. He will work with Adam Kleeberger, the University of Victoria stalwart. Brantford's Aaron Carpenter holds down the No.8 spot for a third straight week.
Ed Fairhurst will captain the side from scrumhalf, and he will partner with Cowichan, BC native Matt Evans who wins his first full start - coming in at flyhalf just barely 20 years of age.
In the centres Ontario's Ryan Smith will take the inside slot, with Newfoundland's Ciaran Hearn winning his second straight start, but this time at outside centre instead of on the wing.
On the wing it will be a debut for Sean Duke, the former Queen's University flyer who is now a carded athlete and playing at the University of Victoria. On the opposite wing Plymouth Albion's Justin Mensah-Coker lends his height and pace into what will be a pacy back three. At fullback James Pritchard wins his fourth cap of this tour, with his speed into the line and sublime place-kicking continuing to be a huge part of this Canadian team.
On the replacements bench Newfoundland's Frank Walsh will be front row cover, with Mike Burak acting as back up for the second row. Sean Michael Stephen will cover the back row, while Morgan Williams is the scrumhalf change as needed.
Nathan Hirayama is the switch at flyhalf, with Bryn Keys filling a centre spot. Crowley is still waiting to name his final replacement.
Canada has beaten Scotland twice, both times in Canada and this is the first visit to Scotland since January 1995 when the Scots beat Canada 22-6.
It's possible the weather could slightly favour Canada - if the Canucks can deal with the bitter cold and wind expected at Pittodrie in Aberdeen. An arctic blast will be blowing through the ocean-side pitch on Scotland's East coast and forecasters are predicting snow and a consistently high wind for game time. Apparently - players may need to keep an eye out for one other thing on the pitch - fish. In high wind with big waves crashing nearby - it is not unknown for fish to be blown onto the pitch.
The field the players will play on is about as small as International Rugby Board regulations allow - just 64 metres wide and 93 metres long, nearly six metres narrower and seven metres shorter than most pitches.
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Sean Duke, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Matt Evans, 9 Ed Fairhurst (captain), 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Josh Jackson, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Scott Franklin, 2 Mike Pletch, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.
Replacements: 16 Frank Walsh, 17 Mike Burak, 18 Sean Michael Stephen, 19 Morgan Williams, 20 Nathan Hirayama, 21 Bryn Keys, 22 TBC.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Pittodrie, Aberdeen
Time: 14:30 (14:30 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland),
Steve Terheege (England)
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
With thanks to rugbycanada.ca
