The international weekend ahead (and the week just gone)

Continuing with a small theme started in the previous article, financial problems which may have prevented South African participation in the Nations Cup have also hit this week's the Caribbean championships with two of the leading nations unable to attend. Guyana's withdrawal was already known, but only a couple of days before the start Jamaica also pulled out citing funding and travel problems.

The result was a rapid rejig of the fixtures - and a series of massacres as the more experienced Trinidad and Cayman teams have run riot against international newcomers Barbados and St Vincent. Its only a year ago that the Caymans were in the same position and were being blown away 79-0, but that experience did not result in their showing any sympathy as they took on their Barbadian hosts, blowing them away 54-3 - a margin of victory for a first win in international rugby that is pretty rare (though is eerily similar to the size of a certain club's first win five years ago!). But, more than the scoreline, the Cayman's may have caused more lasting damage. My contacts in the Barbadian RFU tell me that:

"They were just too big and rough for our young inexperienced side."

This was, however, just a preview to the mayhem in the other game as Trinidad destroyed St Vincent 90-0:

"Trinidad and Tobago were just far too good and speedy for the girls from SVG. The scrums went uncontested after about ten minutes as they just could not cope with the pressure. As it was they had some nasty injuries, so that made things even worse."

Three days later the reverse games were no happier for the newcomers as Trinidad beat Barbados 78-0 and Cayman beat St Vincent 76-0.

"They were different games in that the Vincentiannes played with more fire right to the end, whereas the Barbados game was whistled off early due to injuries."

If there are any Barbadian women left standing they are due to play St Vincent tomorrow, while the Caymans play Trinidad play for the title.

A few hours later two altogether more experienced teams will kick off their game as the USA take on Canada in Colorado - a clash between two teams from the top five of international rugby. Their "A" teams (including several players from their U20 squads) met on Tuesday, Canada sneaking home 10-7, and tomorrow's game should be just as close (though I reckon Canada should win). Highlights from Tuesday's game can be seen below:

It is possible that there will be video from the senior game as well (there are even on-going attempts to get it streamed live) - more on that should anything appear.