The Canada Wolverines have made five changes to the team that defeated Jamaica in the Caribbean Cup. The changes see the return of 2010 Atlantic Cup members Cam Grace and Geoff Bylund, while Graham Dobbs, Matt Pettie and Mike Reid will be making their Wolverines debuts.

Coach Jamie Lester commented "Cam has just returned from a season in Australia and should add some starch to our pack and Geoff will relish in his return to the team. Our three debutants have impressed in the domestic season and at practice and deserve their spot in the team. We are all looking forward to matching ourselves against the 13th ranked team in the world".

The Wolverines face the Tomahawks in Philadelphia on August 27 in the first leg of the Colonial Cup before the return fixture at Fletchers Field on September 17.

Canada Wolverines
1. Robin Legault, Toronto City Saints
2. Tony Felix, York Region Reds
3. Geoff Bylund, Toronto City Saints
4. Christian Miller, Scarborough Centurions
5. Matt Pettie, Niagara Bobcats
6. Jamie Lester, Toronto City Saints
7. Matt Wyles, Scarborough Centurions
8. Steve Conlon, Toronto City Saints
9. Chris Diamond, Niagara Bobcats
10. Louis Robinson, Harlequins RL
11. Cam Grace, Noosa Pirates
12. Henry Miers, York Region Reds
13. Tyler Allen, Scarborough Centurions
14. Graham Dobbs, Scarborough Centurions
15. Dale Fitzgerald, York Region Reds
16. Mike Reid, Niagara Bobcats
17. Steve Lamb, Niagara Bobcats
18th man: John Felix

Coach: Jamie Lester
Coach: Richie Moore
Manager: Clayton Beckett

The US have annouced their 22 man squad for the game, all domestic-based players. It's a great opportunity to take a look at a few guys prior to the World Cup qualifiers.

I'm just hoping that Hurricane Irene doesn't spoil it for us!

OK score predictions time! I'll go first:

Canada 26 USA 16

Looks like the Yanks are including several players with limited RL experience (not unlike the Wolverines) but with plenty of size. If the Wolverines are commited in defence and move them around on attack they'll tire them out then I can see them coming into their own later in the game. USA 18 v Canada 28. A loss will be a huge blow to Niu's chances of taking the AMNRL All Stars to the 2013 WC.

I wouldn't read too much into this game as far as the World Cup qualifiers go. Seems to me the US are using it as a chance to try a few players out. They're without their overseas based players and have had very little prep time together, with the AMNRL only concluding last weekend.

That being the case I expect the Woverines to take full advantage. I'm interested to see how Matt Pettie goes on the wing in place of Danny Tupou, who had such a great game vs Jamaica. Also wondering who's going to be doing the goal kicking with Stu McReynolds not in the lineup. I'm hoping for another big game from Louis Robinson.

I think it'll be a close one. Going for 20 -16 to the Wolverines.

Surely the fact that the AMNRL season has only just ended is an advantage to the Yanks. How many games of RL have the Wolverines players played in the last couple of months?

I would think Matt Wyles would be the kicker?

The Jamaicans were midway through their season when we played them. I thought that would benefit them but clearly it didn't. The Wolverines have been training together for many weeks now and have great cohesion as was shown against Jamaica. The Tomahawks will have been lucky to manage a couple of training sessions together and some of their guys will barely know eachother. I see that as a big advantage to the Wolverines.

I hope you are proved right spooky.

And don't forget that many of the Wolverines also play club RU. Now we all know that this requires nowhere near the fitness levels of RL, but its a start! I think the cohesion as a team will be more important than actual match practice - but we are about to find out. Good luck guys!

Spookyfish - could you keep us updated tomorrow?

Despite the Hurricane warning and the advisory not to travel to the North Eastern US, I'm still planning on flying out to Philly tonight. No stupid bloody Hurricane is going to spoil my weekend! Besides, from what I can tell, it'll just be wet and windy all weekend - no different to Hull



I wont be updating from the game (data roaming too bloody expensive) but I will post the score once I get back to the hotel and get some free wifi



If you want you can DM me your mobile number and I'll text you the HT and FT score.

Guess who's still in Toronto?



No flights out of Philly on Sunday and I have to work Monday so had to cancel the trip. Not happy about it but what can you do?

Go Wolverines!

Heard on the grapevine that the final score was US 18 - Canada 2, with some controversial refereeing decisions!

just hearing the same thing, 70 year old referee, who refused to talk to the captains, apparently never once got them back 10 yards, astroturf pitch numerous sets of markings, no doctor, absolute shambles

Wow! Sounds like no shortage of motivation for Canada for the return fixture. It sounds like a complete amateur attempt at international RL!

In 3 weeks time we get to show the US how it should be done. A proper rugby pitch, a decent referee and live national TV coverage for starters. Oh, and no bloody Hurricane either.

[url=http://www.canadarugbyleague.com/site/eng/news/article.php?id=10129Match report from Canada RL website:[/url

Big blow for Canada as Captain Stephen Conlan broke his leg during the match and will be missing for the return game on Sept 17th.

Time to ditch them and for the RLIF to go with the USARL

I dont know, I wasnt there but sounds a bit like Sour grapes

nahh I cant be doing with the Niu 'everythings rosey' propaganda and as much as he's put into the sport over the years, if somethings wrong the RLIF need telling otherwise USA may not be going to the world cup in 2 years time