Mark Anscombe has played and coached rugby just about everywhere, from Northern Hemisphere to Southern. But the Canadian national team coach said never in these conditions.
“I’ve played in very cold conditions, much colder than this, but never in snow,” said the native of Taranaki, New Zealand, whose previous position was as coach of Irish pro club Ulster.
So it was a first last weekend for Anscombe when Canada opened the Americas Championship tournament with a 20-6 loss to Argentina XV at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
The footing may not be much better on Saturday when world No. 18 Canada continues the tournament at Westhills Stadium against No. 30 Chile in a Test match.
“It’s difficult to play rugby in these conditions. But it’s in the lap of the gods.”
Chile opened the tournament with a 17-3 loss to host Brazil in 30-degree temperatures at Sao Paulo. Are the Chileans ever in for a rude awakening this week. But not even the Canadian players are used to this.
“I’ve never played in snow,” said Canada captain Gordon McRorie.
Anscombe has seen tape of Chile’s loss to Brazil and said it was an even game and that Brazil scored its points in a narrow band of time to decide it.
“Chile was very close and had opportunities but didn’t take advantage.”
The U.S. defeated Uruguay 29-23 in the other Americas Championship opener last weekend. This Saturday’s other games have Brazil playing the U.S. in Austin, Texas, and Argentina XV hosting Uruguay in Bahia Blanca.
Canada’s next fixture after Saturday is at home against the United States on Feb. 18 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. That will be followed by away contests in Uruguay on Feb. 25 and Brazil on March 4.
All games in the Americas Championship are Test matches except those featuring Argentina XV.
The Canadian players spent Wednesday as a “snow day” with local school kids at Macdonald Park in James Bay. It’s the kind of outreach that endears rugby within this community and why more than 2,000 people still came out last Saturday for the Canada-Argentina game despite the adverse weather conditions.
“It was nice to be with the kids . . . I hadn’t made a snowman in years,” said McRorie, a naturalized Canadian who was born in Scotland.
“I think back to when I was a kid and all the people I looked up to as role models. It’s good to give back.”
Also Wednesday, Canada announced it will play Georgia on June 10 in Calgary and Romania on June 17 in Edmonton. It should be a lot warmer by then.
