Canada

With five games down in the 2009 season it is fair to say Coach Kieran Crowley has a firm handle on who is his team is and what he thinks they are capable of heading into this weekend’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against the USA in sweltering Charleston, South Carolina. It is the first of a two game, home and away series with the next leg taking place in Edmonton on July 11th.

Crowley has had his team on the go since the first week of May when they met to prepare for a match against Ireland in Vancouver – followed by a test match against Wales in Toronto. While those were both losses the team improved immensely from the first week to the second week – and that had a lot to do with the opening win of the Churchill Cup against Georgia in Denver, Colorado – a 42-10 victory that propelled Canada two ratings points on the International Rugby Board rankings to 13th place.

“It’s time together and knowing the systems and those sorts of things,” explains Crowley on the team’s development over the past few weeks. “And coming together as far as how we want to play. Obviously there is a certain way we want to play against the States and we have been working hard on that in the (meeting) room as well as out on the field.”

“It’s also being able to adapt to different things each week and you have to change your lineout calls each week because of all the analysis that takes place.

All of the games – including hard fought efforts against Ireland A and the Argentina Jaguars to close the Churchill tournament, were dress rehearsals for this key home and away series against the arch rival Eagles. Win this two game total point series – and the reward is a spot as the Americas 1 winner – in a pool with Tonga, New Zealand ,   France  and the top Asian qualifier, likely Japan . 

Lose and it is a difficult home and away series against Uruguay and likely placement  in Pool C of the World Cup  with Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier ,

With that in mind he has selected his first twenty-two man squad weighing his options against the solid performances he has seen in the past seven weeks.

One of the clear contenders to have cemented a starting spot has been DTH van der Merwe – the former wing who has found a new home in the centres – this weekend playing outside veteran Ryan Smith. Van der Merwe has been a polished performer – scoring two tries against Argentina and also getting a solo effort against Georgia.

Smith, in particular, is pleased to have a player of van der Merwe’s ability on his shoulder.

“DTH goes quite well,” said Smith. “He is fast and he is fit. It makes it easy for inside backs when you have guys that can run lines off of you like that.”

He also has his big partnership of Tyler Hotson and Mike Burak in the engine room – giving him a stable lineout platform.

In the front row Canada welcomes back Kevin Tkachuk for his 48th start – the Glasgow Warrior player back from a slight leg knock at the Churchill Cup. Pat Riordan will Captain the side from the hooker spot and Dan Pletch wins his 20th Cap at tight-head prop.

In the back row Crowley has lost the services of Stan McKeen’s size in the lineup, with the Oxford law student suffering a calf injury this week. Jebb Sinclair – who made his debut as a second row against Argentina at the Churchill Cup, will return to his favoured flanker spot and will work with the outstanding Adam Kleeberger.  Aaron Carpenter doggedly hangs onto the No. 8 jersey for a fifth straight week, showing he is deserving of his first pro contract at Coventry after the summer series concludes.

Ed Fairhurst is the scrum-half working with Ander Monro and making his 46th test appearance.  Monro has emerged as the man for the job in the out-half spot- and he will distribute to Smith and van der Merwe – with Justin Mensah-Coker and Matt Evans locking down the wing spots.

Evans had four tries in three games at the Churchill Cup and has put his hand up as one of several young players that will most certainly figure into the very 2011 World Cup they are qualifying for now – and beyond.

The front row is heavy with front row cover as a hot day is expected to be taxing on the big men – with Frank Walsh, Mike Pletch and Andrew Tiedemann all holding down replacement spots.

Stu Ault and Nanyak Dala are second row/back row cover respectively with Phil Mack and Ciaran Hearn expected to slot into the back line with some on field movements allowing for total coverage.

The match will be available for viewing live on TSN - 4 PM EST - 1 PM PST on Saturday.

Canada vs USA
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)
3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON)
4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)
6. Jebb Sinclair  (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry RFC/Brantford, ON)
9.  Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)

Replacements

16.    Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London, ON)
17.    Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)
18.    Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD)
19.    Stu Ault  (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)
20.    Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)
21.    Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)
22.    Ciaran Hearn  (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)

Staff
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Assistant Coach: John Tait
Skills Coach: Morgan Williams
Strength and Conditioning: Tyler Goodale
Video Analyst: Peter Huigenbos
Physiotherapist: Mike Racine
Massage Therapist: Sadie Deschenes
Medical: Dr. Ken Arthur
Manager: Rodger Swany
Communications Manager: Doug Crosse