Pan Am games: 1 year out from Rio

 

 

 

 

July 12th: mark it on your calendar folks. It`s the day on which Canada will look to defend their Pan Am games gold medal on home soil. After going the distance in 2011, Canada will look to replicate its past success, after a topsy turvy season in the international 7`s circuit. Canada placed 9th in the world circuit, a disappointing finish given their previous season in which they had a best ever finish at sixth. It certainly was an interesting year for the National 7`s team. After losing Geraint John to the Aussies, the boys were off to a rocky start, and a rocky season ensued. Alas, all is not lost.

The Canucks will be looking for redemption after losing out to the U.S.A in an Olympic qualifier 21-5 in North Carolina last month. A yellow card and some big hits attested to the fierce rivalry between the stars and stripes and the maple leafs. The hallmark of an intense rivalry, in which.Canada has had the better end of the stick in recent years. Canada will now take part in the repechage next year their last chance to make it to the Olympics, which makes the Pan am games oh so important to Canada’s chances. The chance to belt out Oh Canada at BMO field and take back the bragging rights from America as the #1 force in North American rugby.
The US will coast straight through to the number 1 seed, having the easiest draw in the pool stages. Canada on the other hand will have to get past a skilled Argentinian squad who finished one place ahead of Canada in this year’s circuit. The US will have higher statistical chances of finishing first amongst all 8 teams with none of their opposing teams finishing near the top of the 7’s circuit; after day one the teams will be reseeded by wins and then points. Canada must therefore dominate Argentina on the scoreboard. The last time these two teams met, Canada won 26-5 on the London leg of the 7’s circuit. That confidence will need to carry over on home soil for a repeat gold medal.

The US will feature their two sprinters, Perry ‘Speedstick’ Baker and the fastest man in rugby Carlin Isles, whilst retaining their big hitter Martin Losefo. Canada will match the heavy presence of Losefo (video above) with lumberjack looking, John Moonlight. The captain will look to lead the other veterans, Sean Duke and Nate Hiriyama back to the glory of Pan Am gold. The US has catching up to do in regards to rugby IQ, an area that Canada has the advantage. But 7’s can turn into a track and field meet in a flash and Baker and Isles will be gone. Canada will need to keep a tight space between the last two defenders pushing to the sideline to contain Isles and Baker, and even then they may still make a break.
Predictions: US with a #1 seed heading into day two, Canada coming in second after a close win over Argentina in the group stage
Final Score day 2: US 21 – 28 Canada