Bryan Ray

CO-FOUNDER / EDITOR / NORTH AMERICA ... has been writing about Canadian rugby since 1998 for various publications. Also talks sports (and sometimes other things) on CBC Radio. Former player of 20+ years, coach, and senior referee.

Canada’s squad – Piece by Piece

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As Canada move ever closer to their final World Cup selection, we take a closer look at where the squad stands, position by position, and who might be the unlucky four who don’t make the cut when head coach Kieran Crowley trims his squad from 35 to 31 at the …

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The Straight Feed – PNC Thoughts

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With the Pacific Nations Cup now behind us, it’s time to turn our full attention to the World Cup, but not before we have a little debrief on the tournament. After endless changes to the format over recent years we finally got something closer a full-on version again, but as …

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The Straight Feed – 50 Days Out

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We are now 50 days out from the World Cup. Ok, technically yesterday was 50 days out, but Canada plays on the second day of the tournament. We’re getting close. Very close. The Pacific Nations Cup is all but over, and the team for England is due to be named …

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Hard days ahead for Canada

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Don’t blame the referee. It’s petulant and ignores the real problems. Yes, the wild right hand of Elvis Taione was missed, and particular blame has to lie with the assistant on that side of the field, but worse things have happened. As for Liam Underwood’s card, cries of foul are …

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The Straight Feed – Full Speed Ahead

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Seems like yesterday we were wondering who might make the Pacific Nations Cup squads. Today is round two of the competition and in 10 days the tournament will be done. Two weeks after that the final preparation for World Cup warm-up matches will be in full swing, and then next …

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Canada starts slow in PNC

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The first international hit-out of the year is usually a bit disjointed, and that’s certainly what we saw in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji and Tonga looked about the same, a bit unfamiliar with each other, but with enough class to put together some exciting passages. …

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Tierney set for French adventure

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One of Canada’s top front row prospects is heading to France. Matt Tierney, the starting tighthead prop for the national u20 side that recently finished second at the Junior World Trophy in Portugal, has signed a one year academy contract with Pau. “While I was in Portugal I got a …

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Toronto sets Gold Standard

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It’s hard to overestimate how significant Sunday was in sunny Toronto. On the field and off, it was as good a day as this country has seen in the sport. Two gold medals, a stadium full of people, and an immense amount of exposure that will do no end of …

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The Straight Feed – Canada’s PNC Selections

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Canada released their Pacific Nations Cup training roster late this week without much fanfare. That in itself is no real surprise, it’s been their modus operandi for years, certainly throughout Kieran Crowley’s tenure. It did seem a little odd, however, that it was delayed for so long following the CRC, …

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CRC Standouts in line for PNC Selection

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Canada’s training squad for the Pacific Nations Cup and beyond is due to be announced any day and with the CRC done and dusted, it’s time to run the rule over who might be in, and who might be unlucky. It’s always difficult for a ‘bolter’ to emerge during a …

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