But what about the rugby!?
 

Now we are getting down to the nitty-gritty, serious stuff. OH not so much interested in location, property and schools, etc. He wants to know if he can go to rugby matches and watch England on the TV in the Vancouver area. Can anyone put him out of his misery? He's got a few years to get used to the idea if BC is a rugby desert.

Lara

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

What's Rugby? :rofl:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

... doesn't sound good, does it? Perhaps I can interest him in curling.:ohmy:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I was in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago at UBC and they had rugby posts upon their stadium. We were shown around the campus by a second row forward and the same day there was the trials being held there for the National Team squad.

We also saw a couple of touring Canadian rugby teams so it seems to be very popular in BC. In Calgary there are a number of clubs for both men and women and indeed it is played at my daughters school.

However, I don't seem to have found much on the TV - I couldn't find the Heineken cup semis anywhere this weekend - not that my wife let me look that hard. It's certainly not got the coverage like soccer does here.

I miss my ticket at the Rec:(

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I think Rugby at the Club and 'minor' league level is quite popular in BC. (F'r example I know of a guy from the Rock playing semi-pro out there.) However finding it on TV will be virtually impossible whereever you are in Canada. Rugby just isn't popular compared to football (American style), hockey and curling.

I enjoy watching club Rugby here as the local team (The Rock) are Canadian Superleague Champs for the 2nd year running. Last year we had the Canada vs USA World Cup 2007 qualifier which whilst not and event on a par with the Calcutta Cup was a good match to watch. (Canada walloped the USA comprehensively). This year there is a UK team touring (Lancashire IIRC) and we have Canada playing the Rock as their last game before the World Cup.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Rugby is not a major TV sport here, you might catch the occasional game on Sportsnet, especially during the world cup. For participatoin BC is one of the places its more common I believe. THe digital sports channels seem to show 5 nations games, although not always "live"

"The Score" (cable channel) has a 30min roundup of what I call "euro sports" (soccer, rugby, cricket, F1) every weeknight evening at 5.30 thats Ok for highlites and keeping in touch I suppose.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Thanks for these replies. At least there is some access to rugby to keep him going until we ease him into American football or ice hockey! I think ice hockey sounds much more exciting.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

...and once you get here we'll work on dropping the "ice". ;)

It's just hockey. :p:D:D

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Sorry. But it's not.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

... but don't they have punch-ups on the ice just for the show of it?? (Sorry, taken my entire knowledge of the sport from the film Canadian Bacon.)

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I see we are starting from a low base......;) :p :D

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

My OH loves to watch rugby. He keeps saying we should have gone to NZ recently. Why? No rugby on TV, he has to try and download matches through the internet and sometimes the whatjemacallit isn't strong enough and he misses bits etc And it's on at the wrong time too.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I hate to say it, but its just a frigging game. I gave up field hockey (something of a passion for me at the time) when I came to Canada.

Life did not end.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

How could you utter such bilge:eek:
No rugby, no life. Suicide note already written for when I get out there, I will be a martyr for game...And I'm not talking about that Canadian band.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I recently moved over to Toronto and am playing club rugby for a team here. The quality is actually a lot higher than I had anticipated, and within the league my team is in, there are quite a few current Canadian international players.
I've discovered that because rugby isn't as popular as is it back home, people who do like it, tend to be fanatics about it.

Apparently rugby is very big out in BC, so I'm sure he'll be able to watch most games! If he can't find a sports bar that shows the matches, he could always join a local rugby team as a social member. I'm sure they'll know where to go to watch England play! If not, try Setanta Sports (the PPV channel). I managed to watch the 6 nations games online through their website.

Hope that helps! :D

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Indeed. I used to follow cricket (used to play too, once, but increasing girth and decreasing motivation put paid to that...) but haven't really felt the lack of coverage, even during the World Cup. Mind you, England's performance would hardly have been worth the hassle anyway.

My only consolation is that I work for an Indian company, and they had an even more ignominious tournament than England. My colleagues' only consolation, in turn, was that at least Pakistan went out at the same stage as they did having been beaten by Ireland. We're all now supporting Sri Lanka in the final, out of a mutual hope that the Aussies don't win :D

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

So who do you think will win the Heineken Cup then Leicester or Wasps? should be quite a scrap - I mean 'game';)

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Wasps? Buzz off! Leicester of course!:thumbup:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

It's starting to sound much more positive now and OH is much happier! Thanks.

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

TIGERS:thumbsup:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

:thumbup: :thumbsup:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Must be a bit behind in their scheduling, it's been 6 Nations since 2000 :D

bad.andy

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

It's www.bcrugby.com that you need to track down the local teams, or www.rugbycanada.ca and go to the links page.

Watching matches isn't too bad, I got a box from itvn and watch the games on Setanta Sports - you need an internet connection, but it plugs straight into your TV, no computer required. The box was "free" (postage and package etc came out to about $100) with a 12 month subscription, it's $15 a month and it shows the rugby, Premiership football, European football from various countries, even Gaelic football and hurling for those from the Emerald Isle. The live matches are great, usually about 7am so the match is all but over before the rest of the family starts to get in the way.

By the way, TIGERS! Anglo Welsh Cup in the trophy cabinet already, places reserved for the Heineken Cup and Premiership.

I've attached a picture of my middle daughter with an English rugby legend - if you don't know who it is you probably aren't reading this thread. :D

bad.andy

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Thanks for these links, OH much appeased. What a great photo:thumbsup: Something for her to treasure (or if not, you!).

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Yeah right...like Italy count:p

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

I think the Tigers will do it but I was at Twickenham a couple of years ago when Wasps won it in the last few seconds - they have a habit of getting it right in the big games.

I'm a Bath supporter (after the Cornish Pirates of course), my youngest supports Leicester and my eldest supports Northampton - it's a sign of how much we moved around back in the UK:lol:

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Ask Wales and Scotland ...;)

bad.andy

Re: But what about the rugby!?
 

Ouch, that hurt....:lol: :lol: