Rugby Canada hails largest crowd ever
On a sunny brisk-cold Sunday in Toronto, in front of the biggest crowd in Canadian Rugby history, Canada took on the New Zealand Maori All Blacks.
Re-live the game here:
Hope you're ready @RugbyCanada fans! It's a beauty day here at BMO Field! ☀️#REDNATION #rugby #GoCanadaGo #nofilter pic.twitter.com/zI5mn8hW1Y
— Jennifer Nieuwendyk (@nieuwy09) November 3, 2013
. @RugbyCanada is warming up for their game against the NZ Maori @AllBlacks. ReTweet to wish them luck. #RedNation pic.twitter.com/xtEy81uUba
— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) November 3, 2013
#OHCanada! pic.twitter.com/BRnhKPZ1vv
— Bryan Kelly (@RugbyCanada_BK) November 3, 2013
Haka War Dance
The traditional ‘Haka’ war dance is performed by the New Zealand Maori All Blacks prior to each game. It’s meant to intimidate the opposing team.
Game on
It's on. The @RugbyCanada vs. NZ Maori @AllBlacks game has begun. Watch it now on TSN. #RedNation pic.twitter.com/X14yq0pmtG
— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) November 3, 2013
Big start for Canada! @Jeff_Hassler finishes off the play and Canada takes the first lead. 5-0 Canada! #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
Canada pinned deep in their zone but they break out of the scrum for a big run! #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
Penalty attempt from Taylor in the 23rd minute is just wide. Score stays 5-5. Elliot off, Dixon on for @AllBlacks. #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
Try awarded to @AllBlacks in the 28th minute after video review. Taylor's kick is good. 12-5 #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
HT: @AllBlacks 19-5 @RugbyCanada. @Jeff_Hassler has the only points for Canada with the game-opening try. #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
The crowd
Check out the sold out crowd in #Toronto watching the @RugbyCanada vs. NZ Maori @AllBlacks game. #REDNATION pic.twitter.com/AfOxVzORm5
— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) November 3, 2013
22,566 fans packed inside #BMOField today. Biggest crowd in Canadian rugby history. thank you #REDNATION!
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
Second half
'51: Maori All Blacks extend their lead to 21. Gibson-Park with the try, Robinson with the conversion. #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
55' Underwood splits the uprights with the penalty and closes the gap by three points. 26-8 #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
59' Try Canada! This game isn't over yet. @Carpatron scores for Canada and @Lubird9 adds the conversion. 26-15. #REDNATION
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
69' Matt Proctor scores for the @AllBlacks, Robinson adds the conversion. 33-15 lead now.
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
FT: Maori @AllBlacks 40-15 @RugbyCanada. Great game by both sides. Thanks for the great game and support #REDNATION!
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013
Final score
Thank you, fans
A huge thanks to the fans & the fantastic 80 min of #Rugby from @RugbyCanada & the NZ Maori @AllBlacks. #REDNATION pic.twitter.com/c4olcMCEb7
— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) November 3, 2013
Great match today by Maori #AllBlacks and #Rednation today at #BMOfield. @AllBlacks @RugbyCanada #Haka #Familyfun pic.twitter.com/cVjwmTj878
— Jo Kennelly (@jokennelly) November 3, 2013
The congratulatory messages came pouring in…
"@RugbyCanada: 22,566 fans packed inside #BMOField today. Biggest crowd in Canadian rugby history. thank you #REDNATION!"Congrats.
— NFL (@NFLCanada) November 3, 2013
Well played @RugbyCanada you did well against a formidable NZ Maori team. Fantastic advertisement for the sport #HeadsUp #RedNation
— Brent Stephen Smith (@brentssmith) November 3, 2013
Congratulations to @RugbyCanada @rugbycanadaceo 22,566 Fans @ BMO. WOW! Biggest crowd ever! Looked amazing from Vancouver. #REDNATION
— Vancouver RugbyUnion (@VRURepRugby) November 3, 2013
What’s next?
A BIG thank you to #REDNATION for the huge support today! Time to regroup and prepare for Georgia on 9th, Romania on 16th & Portugal on 23rd
— RugbyCanada (@RugbyCanada) November 3, 2013