Men's Rugby

Men's Rugby In Argentina

Queen’s University – Men’s Rugby squad is currently on a training tour across Argentina from February 13 – 23.

Assistant Coach Luke Follwell will be sending updates and photos back to Canada which will be available to read here.  Send your well wishes to the entire team at headcoach@queensrugby.ca

Saturday Feb 23rd, 2008
The team boarded an early morning bus ride back to Buenos Aires to hit the streets for some last minute shopping. All reports by the players have been positive and we look forward to returning to Argentina in the future. 

Friday Feb 22nd, 2008
Our last full day to relax was spent on Playa Waikato surfing some waves and catching some  rays.  A team dinner was held to reflect on the last 10 days in this beautiful country and  to discuss a new location for the team to travel in 2010.  

Thursday Feb 21st, 2008
The morning was free to prepare for our final two games of tour vs Mar del Plata Rugby Club.   In 2001 the Queen¨s Rugby team was hosted by the same club losing the first team match on the last play of the game, so revenge was on the table.

1st XV vs Mar del Plata Rugby Club

After a brilliant start, with Ryan Kruyne scoring a try in the first minute off line breaks from Alistair Clark and James Potter, the boys fell into a lull of poor decisions and mistakes.  The half ended with Queen's down 12-5.  The 2nd half was a differnt story.   The score was tied with a well executed back move where fullback Colin Alexander paced untouched for 35 metres under the posts.  Kruyne{s coversion tied the scored at 12.  However, Mar del Plata came back with a try and Queen{s was down 17-12 with 15 minutes to play.  With a lineout 10 metres from teh opposition line, the drive was on.  THe ball was worked through a few sets of hands in the driving maul, until 5th year prop Graham Watt was launched over the line by 5th year teammate Colin Frenke. THis was Graham{s first ever try for the Queen{s first team.  THe tough siudeline conversion was barely missed. The boys were caught in their end, but a stolen lineout from Will Sorensen, and his ensuring 60 metre break down the pitch, where he broke 3 tackles and then offloaded to TIm Richardson for the go ahead try.  Kuyne converts and the score is 24-17.  With 4 minutes remaing, Queen{s took the kickoff and marched down the pitch.  And from a scrum in the same spot where in 2001 Queen's was intereceped and Mar del Plata raced to the win, this time Zach Pancer flew through the defence on a wing in and scored to end the game.  Cheers and thankyous all around from both teams.

Final Score; Queens 27 - Mar del Plata 19 Tries; Ryan Kruyne, Colin Alexander, Graham Watt, Tim Richardson, Zach Pancer, Conversion; Ryan Kruyne (2) Men of the Match:  Tim and Pat Richardson, for their brave display of hitting anything that moved.  The 3rd year twins from Vancouver put on a tackling clinic from their back row positions.

2nd XV vs Mar del Plata Rugby Club

The opening game of the night was a back and forth affair.  Graeme Dibden opened the scoring with a wonderful kick and chase and score.  THe teams then traded a try apiece, with with Adrian Watson touching down for Queen's.  At the half, it was 12-5 Queen.s  Queen{s then stretched the lead after a try from Dan Salvatore, the 2nds pack pushing the bigger and older Mar del Plata pack into the try zone from a lineout.  Mar del pLata came back with two tries of their own, to take a 24-17 lead with 10 minutes remining.  Quyeen{s did not give up.  a well worked move down the field saw Mike Readshaw finish in the corner.  Graham Hatlelid struck the conversion attempt very well, but missed just inches to the right of the posts.  Queen's kept at it but couldn{t find the try line again.  the final 24-22.  But the effort and ball movement was brilliant and provided huge inspioration to the 1st team.

Final Score; Queens 22 - Mar del Plata 24 Tries; Graeme Dibden, Adrain Watson, Dan Salvatore, Mike Readshaw Coversions; Graham Hatlelid (1) Man of the Match; Graeme Dibden.  HOnourable mentions Ryan Guichon and Matt Cameron.

Wednesday Feb 20th, 2008
A training session at Mar del Plata Rugby Club started off the day.  Coach Huigenbos put the boys through a 2.5 hour session under sunny skies and hot weather.   Players responded well to the much needed training.  After training the team was invited to Playa de El Tainoa private beach owned by a former Argentina rugby star. Hot food and cold water was enjoyed by all.  

Tuesday Feb 19th, 2008
The team packed all their luggage on a double decker bus and made their way to Carillo.  A small beach resort 4 hours from Buenos Aires.  This was our first chance to hit the wavy waters of Argentina.  We spent the afternoon relaxing and catching some rays.   We returned to our bus and completed our journey to Mar del Plata.   The streets were packed with locals, tourists and performers.   The evening was free to explore the town and rest up for the next few days.

Monday Feb 18th, 2008

A morning 7's tournament was held at the G.E.B.A Rugby Club.  A hard fought round robin tournament saw the Minotaurs win on a last second drop goal from Graham Hatlelid.   Man of the day honours went to Adrian Watson for scoring three tries and putting on an electric show.  The afternoon was spent on the streets of BA shopping and enjoying humid weather for the last time as we prepare to depart for the beach resort town of Mar del Plata in the morning.

Sunday Feb 17th, 2008

The boys went to a traditional cattle ranch for some horse riding lessons.  They later returned to take in a soccer game in La Boca. The Boca Juniors are one of the best pro teams in the world. We were in standing room only with the locals at the end of the pitch. The game was very intense with the final score 4-0 in favour of the home Boca Juniors. Great experience.

Saturday Feb 16th, 2008

QRFC 1st XV vs G.E.B.A Rugby Club

The GEBA side that took the field for the 1st team game was bigger and stronger, but we met their intensity. They just wanted the ball more than we did when it mattered.  Some costly errors in open play put us under pressure and down 19-0 at the half.   The team came back strong in the 2nd and we scored two really nice tries with the final score ending up 24-10. We learned a few things and dominated lineouts throughout the game

Final Score: G.E.B.A. 24 Queen's 10
Queen's Trys: Zach Pancer, Mike Salisbury Man of the Match: Graham Watt QRFC 2nd XV vs G.E.B.A Rugby Club

QRFC 2nd XV vs G.E.B.A Rugby Club
Our 2nd team (a mix of 2nd, 3rd and 4th team players) lost 41-5 but did well. The team performed much stronger in the first half than the second as the hot conditions set in.  Peter Vooys made his rugby career debut on the wing. 

Final Score: G.E.B.A 41 Queen's 5
Queen's Try: Mike Salisbury
Man of the Match: Mike Salisbury

After the match the club hosted us to a traditional Argentina BBQ and some of the guys swapped shirts. We then went out and enjoyed the BA nightlife.

Friday, February 15th, 2008
The day started with a walk to a nearby park for quick training session and a chance to acclimatize our athletes in the humid 32 degree weather.  The afternoon was free and players took to the streets and plazas in search of clothing, gifts, food. 

An evening training session at the G.E.B.A Rugby club with a full contact scrimmage under the hot Argentina sun really showed how much of a challenge the team is about to face in tomorrow's match.  

A team dinner at Siga La Vacca (Follow the Cow) restaurant was a wonderful finish to our first full day in Argentina.  This restaurant was previously visited by the Queen's Rugby in 2001 and once again there was no disappointment in the quantity or quality of food.

 
Thursday, February 14th, 2008
47 members of the Queen's Rugby arrived in sunny and hot Buenos Aires.  The day started with a tour of the city on a double decker bus and a quick stop in the area of La Boca.  The city is known for the brightly painted buildings and one of the world’s best soccer teams: “The Boca Juniors”.   Continuing to the downtown area the bus travelled along the widest boulevard in the world and through the city core.  

After arriving at our hotel the players were allowed to relax after a long flight in the swimming pool and nearby restaurants for the rest of the evening.

Photos

Walking to Training	Scrimmage at G.E.B.A	Boarding the bus after training
Dinner at Siga La Vacca