|
Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release
Saturday, 10 September 2011 19:46 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Canada Captain Pat Riordan Discusses RWC |
|
Canada -
Men
|
|
During pre-World Cup camp in Australia, Canada's Rugby World Cup captain Pat Riordan sat down with a video production crew to answer a series of questions framed around the world's third-largest sports fixture.
Riordan's responses to the following questions will be used as a RWC Captain's Video package to precede Canada's pool matches in New Zealand.
The captain with 39 caps to his name has been at the helm of his nation's senior men's rugby team since 2008, when former All Black Kieran Crowley was appointed head coach of the side.
Known as Pat 'one take' Riordan for his deft responses and ability to knock out a film shoot in one hit, Riordan answered the questions with candid honesty and respect for the tournament and his team's upcoming opponents.
If you aren't attending Canada's Rugby World Cup pool matches, here's a peak at some of the questions posed and the answers given.
What are your strengths as a team?
"I think our team's got a couple of different strengths, probably our forward play which is something if you'd ask me a year ago it wouldn't have been quite a strength of ours. Our other strength we've really come up with in the last six months is scoring opportunistic tries."
Who are the danger teams in your pool?
"They're all danger teams and that's a bit of a cliched answer in sports, but for us if we look beyond any team we've got a real danger of hitting a banana peel there."
Who will be the team to beat at the Rugby World Cup?
"Well that's a tough one, I've been asked that question a couple of times and I said 'who's going to win the tournament is whoever scores more points in the final, it's as simple as that.'"
What advice would you give to a young player at his first Rugby World Cup?
"Really take control of your own destiny. It's pretty easy to just let things happen, you've really just got to take control."
Have you ever been to New Zealand and what do you think of the country?
"I've been lucky enough to be to New Zealand three times... It's fantastic, I really enjoyed it. I find there's a lot of similarities to Canada, especially the West coast."
What message do you have to your supporters?
"Looking up when you think you're all alone in Georgia or on the Gold Coast and you look up and you see these flags and you see these hockey jerseys in the crowd, it's fantastic. Just a big thanks."
|
|
|
|
|
Written by RUGBYMag Staff
Saturday, 10 September 2011 19:24 |
|
|
|
|
|
RWC Highlights Day Two |
|
Written by Alex Goff
Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:51 |
|
|
|
|
|
Irish to Test Scully in Wet Weather |
|
National Teams -
USA Men
|
|
 It’s going to be a wet, grassy ground at Stadium Taranaki, and that means every player needs to concentrate that much harder on getting a good grip on the ball.
Square in the crosshairs of the Irish team is young Blaine Scully, who starts at fullback for the Eagles in place of the injured Chris Wyles. Scully has done this before, and with some success, but Ireland will be targeting the unknown quantity in the #15 shirt nonetheless.
Everyone knows it, and Scully expects more than a few high balls and searching kicks sent his way.
“Especially in wet weather conditions it’s that extra focus that’s really necessary,” Scully told RUGBYMag.com. “You’ve got to keep your focus, get your body right and your balance right; balance is hugely important because if you don’t have a firm base to do anything from, you’re in trouble. You just need to put it together, get up in the air, and make a play.”
Scully has shown himself effective in counter-attacking, which will be a big part of the USA’s attack if Ireland kicks. There’s a lot to figure out in a short space of time.
“You’ve got to know where you are on the field and who you have with you,” Scully said. “There are a lot of different factors you have to find answers for really quickly and a whole bunch of cues you have to take. Communicating with your back three is essential.”
And so is catching the ball.
Notes: Chris Wyles was possibly healthy to play Sunday, but the coaching staff was concerned that since Wyles has not played any rugby in several months, and he is just coming off an injury, that his recovery would be unpredictable. As a result, he is not suiting up for Ireland, with the expectation that we will do so against Russia.
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Alex Goff
Saturday, 10 September 2011 18:40 |
|
|
|
|
|
Eagles Attend Service |
|
National Teams -
USA Men
|
|
The USA Men's National Team spent Sunday morning at St. Andrew's Cathedral in New Plymouth, at a service commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. US Ambassador to New Zealand, David Huebner, spoke to a packed congregation. Across the street, the New Plymouth Fire Department house flew their national flag at half-staff.
|
|
|
|
Written by Pat Clifton
Saturday, 10 September 2011 17:43 |
|
|
|
|
|
Little America in New Plymouth? |
|
RUGBYmag Premier -
Exclusive News
|
|
 America has a second home in New Plymouth as the bunting is out and USA fans have been welcomed with open arms.
It might seem like New Plymouth is favoring the USA over Ireland for Sunday’s match, but local stores and establishments assure RUGBYMag.com that both sides’ money is equally good. In fact, the reason for so much red white and blue is that Taranaki hosts a wildly successful Americana festival, which centers around vintage cars, every year. So they already had all the decorations.
One bit of pomp and circumstance they did not have was the US Marine Corps Band. Flown in special for the World Cup, the Marines paraded down the streets on Saturday to much applause and also practiced at Stadium Taranaki. They sounded superb.
Rumors are flying that it’s not just the presence of the Eagles that caused the Marines to make their landing. Some VIPs are expected for either the Ireland or, more likely, the Russia game.
No names yet, although some might do to practice saying “Madame Secretary.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1131 of 1441 |
