TUNING UP FOR THE WORLD CUP
Tilt with Tonga perfect practice for Canadian rugby team
Rugby, as the adage goes, is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen.
Of course, even the most civilized, well-mannered and noble of men can occasionally lose their heads in a game as physically violent as rugby. Which brings us to Canada and Tonga, the combatants tonight at Swangard Stadium in a Pacific Nations Cup match.
They last faced each other in a 2013 PNC game in which Canadian fullback Matt Evans, the English-born, Maple Bay, B.C., product, was stretchered off the field in the second half after a vicious, illegal hit by Tonga’s David Halaifonua.
Halaifonua slammed his shoulder directly into Evans’ head, just as the Canadian was releasing the ball on a pass. The Tongan was yellow-carded and later assessed a six-week suspension by the IRB’s disciplinary office for the dangerous tackle. The sanction called for a 10-week suspension, but it was reduced by four weeks because of Halaifonua’s “remorse and excellent record.”
“Not much, to be honest,” Evans said with a laugh on Thursday when asked what he remembered about that game and the hit, which landed on YouTube.
“It was a good game before that happened. We got up early and we won (36-27), which was a good result. I took a bit of a knock. That happens.
“I was actually up and walking about 10 minutes later. I had a concussion and missed the next two games for a mandatory rest period, but no longer term effects.”
Halaifonua isn’t part of the Tongan side for this tournament. But the gentlemanly Evans wouldn’t have a problem if he was on the field.
“It was a bit of a shoulder challenge that got away from him. It wasn’t too malicious. I don’t hold any grudges.”
In fact, Evans is more concerned about getting 18thranked Canada back on track following a disappointing 20-6 defeat to No. 12 Japan in the opener of the six-country PNC last weekend in San Jose, Calif. No. 13 Tonga is also coming off a loss, 30-22 to No. 10 Fiji.
“I think the most valuable thing we got out of the Japan game is the video footage of how we played the new system we’re trying to implement and it’s good to see the good things we did and the stuff that let us down,” said Evans.
“We’ve had a good week of practice and, hopefully, we’ve learned enough to put it together and get a good victory out of it.”
Canadian coach Kieran Crowley said his squad, which also faces Samoa in Toronto next Wednesday, gave away far too many penalties (15) against Japan and needs to be more accurate with its passing and more committed to the system.
“We’ve changed a few things,” he said. “We want to come out at the end of the PNC having a blueprint of how we want to play the game going forward.”
That includes September’s World Cup in England. That’s obviously when Canada hopes to peak, but Evans says the players are trying not to look that far ahead.
“That can be your downfall. We pick up wins over Tonga and Samoa and we’re right back in the hunt to be in the first-place game at Swangard (on Aug. 3). That’s still very much the goal.
“The PNC is invaluable as a way of forming a brand of playing, a style as a team. We’ve got a hugely mobile team, a strong back three players, a lot of strong backs in general and we want to utilize what our strengths are.”
While he’s firmly focused on tonight, Evans, an avid golfer (15 handicap) and darts player, also has an eye on things in Cornwall, U.K. It’s where he plays professionally for the Cornish Pirates in the Championship, the second tier of English rugby.
A council vote is slated for July 30 on a proposal for a new, larger stadium, a project that has been in the discussion and planning stage for more than seven years. The stadium is needed if the Pirates are to move up to the Premiership. But despite widespread community support, a planning officer’s report recommends council refuse the application.
“I’m a huge fan of Cornwall and the Pirates,” says Evans, who will enter his fifth season with the club in the fall. “It’s a great place to live and I’m very passionate about rugby in the area. But if (the stadium project) doesn’t go ahead, what future does the club have?
“They won’t be able to support for too much longer a professional setup. I hope common sense prevails.”
Tonight, he’s looking for Canada to prevail against a Tongan squad known for its physicality.
“It’s something we have to match up to,” said Evans.
“And we’re hoping to put our organization and game plan into play by stretching them out and playing to our strengths — our fitness and mobility.”
“We’ve got a hugely mobile team, a strong back three players, a lot of strong backs in general and we want to utilize what our strengths are.
MATT EVANS
CANADIAN RUGBY PLAYER