Not quite! Richie Moore took over as Head Coach for this game - not sure if it will be on a permanent basis or not. He was appointed this time to allow the previous coach to act as Captain as the previous Captain broke his leg in the last game.

I was the fourth official. Paul Byrne (a Leigh lad) was one of the linesmen today as he rotates reffing responsibilities with Daniel Harrison (an Aussie).

Now I think if it again, it is a bit surreal to have three Leythers so closely involved on the other side of the world.

You can read the match report on the www.canadarugbyleague.com website but here is my own perspective, on the game and the day.

Saturday was another excellent day for Canadian rugby league! The Wolverines main focus was not on overcoming a 16 point first leg advantage (gained in somewhat controversial circumstances) but on simply gaining a first ever victory over the USA. You could tell by the scenes on the pitch at the end of the game and the contrasting emotions of the two teams, as to where the momentum had shifted to over the two legs.

Having said that, with 5 minutes to go and Canada right on the US line, all they needed was a converted try to overhaul that deficit. Unfortunately, a wayward pass was intercepted and a length of the field try put paid to those hopes. Infact, it really seemed to deflate the team and another converted try followed from the US - in the end, Canada had to hang on to win the game - despite, in my view, showing the most skill and creativity on the field.

I have to commend the CRL and CBC for putting on a wonderful advert for the game of rugby league in Canada. To get national exposure like that is worth its weight in gold and I am sure CBC enjoyed the tight finish to add a bit of fizz to proceedings. The match was portrayed throughout CBC's 6 hour sporting coverage (a bit like Grandstand used to be on the Beeb) as a real international event of value.

The camera work was generally good and the commentary was much better than could have reasonably been expected. The main commentator (I don't know who he was but I expect he was a pro from CBC) had obviously done his homework on the players and the sport and didn't drop any real clangers. He was ably supported by Eric Perez, one of the CRL directors, who was able to explain the finer points of the game very adequately.

It was unfortunate that a great Canada try was missed as they went to a commercial break but that is the nature of North American broadcasts unfortunately - if that happened in Britain there would be riots on the streets!

The game was only nine minutes old when a horrific injury to second rower Matt Gleed occurred. It was immediately clear that it was bad. It took 30 minutes at least to get an ambulance and the paramedics to treat him and get him off the pitch. It was a "Dave Busst" break to the leg, all at right angles. I don't know how CBC managed to plug the gap - I think they had to divert to other material. All the best to Matt (who plays for Leigh's sister club - Scarborough Centurions) and hopefully he heals quickly and well.

I also thought that the referree-ing was of a very good standard. Having watched the game again, I think all the right decisions were made. The ref communicated very well with the players, was very clear and decisive whilst keeping a good sense of humour. I suspect that the USA were not used to dealing with a ref of his calibre, but they will need to if they want to get very far in World Cup comps.

The crowd of almost 1,500 was pleasing, although not a huge increase on the Jamaica game. Hopefully the national exposure will bring more in next time, for the South African game in October.

Where next for the Canadian team? Well, they will be confident of picking up a third home win of the year against South Africa, on paper probably the weakest of the opponents faced. Three wins will certainly help the rankings, but I am not sure by how much. (It is really amazing to see how far the sport has come in just a couple of years.)

I think attention will now have to turn to planning an expanded and successful third domestic season, as we are unfortunately excluded from the WC qualifying. I look forward to seeing what internationals can be set-up for 2012. In addition, the commercial side of things seem to be taking off - the first and second kits are now available for sale on-line and look very nice. A Christmas present for me I think!

mapleyther

Not quite! Richie Moore took over as Head Coach for this game - not sure if it will be on a permanent basis or not. He was appointed this time to allow the previous coach to act as Captain as the previous Captain broke his leg in the last game.

I was the fourth official. Paul Byrne (a Leigh lad) was one of the linesmen today as he rotates reffing responsibilities with Daniel Harrison (an Aussie).

Now I think if it again, it is a bit surreal to have three Leythers so closely involved on the other side of the world.

You can read the match report on the www.canadarugbyleague.com website but here is my own perspective, on the game and the day.

Saturday was another excellent day for Canadian rugby league! The Wolverines main focus was not on overcoming a 16 point first leg advantage (gained in somewhat controversial circumstances) but on simply gaining a first ever victory over the USA. You could tell by the scenes on the pitch at the end of the game and the contrasting emotions of the two teams, as to where the momentum had shifted to over the two legs.

Having said that, with 5 minutes to go and Canada right on the US line, all they needed was a converted try to overhaul that deficit. Unfortunately, a wayward pass was intercepted and a length of the field try put paid to those hopes. Infact, it really seemed to deflate the team and another converted try followed from the US - in the end, Canada had to hang on to win the game - despite, in my view, showing the most skill and creativity on the field.

I have to commend the CRL and CBC for putting on a wonderful advert for the game of rugby league in Canada. To get national exposure like that is worth its weight in gold and I am sure CBC enjoyed the tight finish to add a bit of fizz to proceedings. The match was portrayed throughout CBC's 6 hour sporting coverage (a bit like Grandstand used to be on the Beeb) as a real international event of value.

The camera work was generally good and the commentary was much better than could have reasonably been expected. The main commentator (I don't know who he was but I expect he was a pro from CBC) had obviously done his homework on the players and the sport and didn't drop any real clangers. He was ably supported by Eric Perez, one of the CRL directors, who was able to explain the finer points of the game very adequately.

It was unfortunate that a great Canada try was missed as they went to a commercial break but that is the nature of North American broadcasts unfortunately - if that happened in Britain there would be riots on the streets!

The game was only nine minutes old when a horrific injury to second rower Matt Gleed occurred. It was immediately clear that it was bad. It took 30 minutes at least to get an ambulance and the paramedics to treat him and get him off the pitch. It was a "Dave Busst" break to the leg, all at right angles. I don't know how CBC managed to plug the gap - I think they had to divert to other material. All the best to Matt (who plays for Leigh's sister club - Scarborough Centurions) and hopefully he heals quickly and well.

I also thought that the referree-ing was of a very good standard. Having watched the game again, I think all the right decisions were made. The ref communicated very well with the players, was very clear and decisive whilst keeping a good sense of humour. I suspect that the USA were not used to dealing with a ref of his calibre, but they will need to if they want to get very far in World Cup comps.

The crowd of almost 1,500 was pleasing, although not a huge increase on the Jamaica game. Hopefully the national exposure will bring more in next time, for the South African game in October.

Where next for the Canadian team? Well, they will be confident of picking up a third home win of the year against South Africa, on paper probably the weakest of the opponents faced. Three wins will certainly help the rankings, but I am not sure by how much. (It is really amazing to see how far the sport has come in just a couple of years.)

I think attention will now have to turn to planning an expanded and successful third domestic season, as we are unfortunately excluded from the WC qualifying. I look forward to seeing what internationals can be set-up for 2012. In addition, the commercial side of things seem to be taking off - the first and second kits are now available for sale on-line and look very nice. A Christmas present for me I think!

mapleyther