<< BackFrank on Bermuda 2005
In a lot of ways, Frank is TA. Below Frank recaps Bermuda 2005.
It
seems every year we bring down a better team and we are more competitve
than ever. That being said we still can't get over the hump for the
title. Every year since I was fortunate enough to play for the All
Balcks in the final we have more and more of our players being picked
up to play in the finals. This year Corne Cronje and Jason Raven played
for South Africa in the final. This is the ultimate complement to USA
rugby and where it has come. They want us to play with them.
We
still need a fine mixture of capped players to mix with the Keith
McLeans and Steve Sianos of the world. Just because you were capped
doesn't mean you are fit, keen and ready to lay it all out on the line.
The
commaraderie was great as usual in Bermuda. A few key injuries cost us
in our match with France. Our pack needs a little more bulk to play
with the Frogs. Our outside speed was incredible this year with Brown,
Raven Masterson, Hinkin and Malakai but if they don't see the ball it
is all for naught.
Ball was slow out of the rucks and it cost
us. Defense was in our faces and we couldn't feed the speed. We need to
take advantage of our best attributes.
Game #1 British Lions
They
scored in the first minute of the match and we were playing catch up
all the rest of the day. I believe some of the new players were shocked
at the pace of these *Classics*. It is a learning curve and we need
more assembly time before our first match. Cohension was very good
after 5 minutes and the match was there for the taking...Finish
Game # 2 Canada
Our
backs and forward were too strong and fast for the Canucks. Raven and
Malakai were huge is this match with our lineouts providing a strong
platform for quick ball. The outcome was never in doubt.
Game # 3 - Plate Final - France
We
were dominated up front and no chance to release our attack. Several
harsh callls and missed tackles killed us. The All Black winger looked
like John Kirwan and scored at will. Tackling needs to be our forte as
USA and we were very disappointing in that aspect. Played very hard
till the last whistle with a late try that was quite crowd pleasing.
We
are no longer the doormats of the tourney with fans and opponents alike
expecting a competitive match every time we are on the pitch. Many such
as me expect a victory every time npw.
Cheers
Frank Kennedy
LOCATION: Bermuda
CONTACT: Frank Kennedy, frankietherug@hotmail.com, PHONE: 913-522-8483
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