"FROM THE TEAMS"
"THE VISITORS"
"Today's game is very important for us. Today's side is effectively the provincial side for Newfoundland with the top selected players from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Prince Edward Island."
"We are preparing for the IRB Americas Cup where the top 2 Canadian regions from Atlantic, Ontario, Prairies and British Colombia will play an all Canadian semi-final. The Canadian national champions will face the winners of the USA Eagles and the Argentinean Jaguars in an Americas inter-continental final. We are "The Rock" proudly representing Atlantic Canada and Newport will certainly give us an opportunity to test ourselves today and greatly assist us in preparing the team to face international competition should we make the final."
"Today's squad is a very young one - with one or two exceptions of course! We have a pretty well-rounded side with no real weaknesses but we also don't really have any standout players yet! Having said that, I'll be very interested to see how Frank Walsh who has just got his first Canadian cap fares in the front row and Ciaran Hearn who will be playing in our back division. Dean Blanks and Morgan Lovell are also ex-Newport boys who will certainly have a point to prove as will the non-Newfoundland players representing us for the first time."
"I can't wait to take to the field today. It's been a few years since I last played here, although I was over in Cardiff for the World Cup back in 2007. I have nothing but great memories of Rodney Parade and the people I met here. There's a lot of nostalgia for me about this match but at the same time I am looking forward to getting my hands dirty and knocking up against a few old faces! Whatever the result, this promises to be an exciting game... and of course, the after match stuff should be some fun as well (time to get off your wallet Mullett).
"PS. Worky keep your head up and stay off my wing."
"Rod Snow (Captain, The Rock)"
"NEWPORT RFC"
"I couldn't think of a better way to start the season than to face a side coached by Newport legend Rod Snow. Let's hope that Rod gets on the pitch and we see a few charges with ball in hand."
"The team management and coaches are determined that last season's improvement on the pitch continues and we hope to be challenging for honours on several fronts when we get towards the end of a very long campaign. This season will see Newport RFC competing in the usual league and cup fixtures plus the British and Irish Cup and the end of season play-offs. This will mean a game every weekend but everyone involved with the team is confident that we can face these challenges and we accept the policy of constantly 'raising the bar'. The British and Irish Cup will test our squad, but they are looking forward to facing different players and visiting new places. Sven Cronk, our head coach, has recruited some exciting additions to the squad and the pre-season friendly games will give our supporters an opportunity to see them in action before the real business starts."
"But first we face the Newfoundland Rock. We are all looking forward to giving our visitors a warm welcome -on the field and in the clubhouse."
"Dennis Bennett (Secretary, Newport RFC)"
"The Rock, Newfoundland, Canada:"
"Wales Tour August 2009"
"The Rock, who will represent the Atlantic region in the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship in September will play 3 games in Wales in 5 days."
"The opening game is today, Saturday August 1 against the team that Rod Snow played for 10 years. Rod retired in 2005 but has continued to play with the Rock who have been National Champions of Canada in 3 of the last 4 years. He also played in his 4th Rugby World Cup in 2007 and no-one would rule him out playing in his 5th in 2011! The Rock is the provincial team and The Dogs is Rod's local dub name."
"The second game is against Newport HSOB the former club of Simon Blanks (co-coach), Dean Blanks (outside-half) and Morgan Lovell (full-back) on Monday August 3. Morgan also played for Newport RFC 1997-2000. The final game is against Cross Keys. Both Simon Blanks and Morgan Lovell are Rugby Development Officers in St John's. To fulfil this demanding schedule The Rock have chosen 27 players. They will be without 2 top second rows Brad Lester and Chris Mooney due to work commitments, Andrew Fagan and Rich O'Malley (injury), Peter Densmore and Sean O'Leary (retired). However as the Rock will select from the best players in the Atlantic region they will be replaced by good players. The squad includes 4 on Canada's recent Rugby World Cup Qualifier Team - Frank Walsh, Jebb Sinclair, Chauncey O'Toole and Ciaran Hearn. Other capped players include Rod Snow, Kevin Parfrey, Tyler Wish, Simon Pacey. "It is possible we have over-extended ourselves but the quality of the teams that we will play against is the preparation we need to compete effectively in the America's Championship. This trip will identify the battlers and those who can produce under pressure. Also rugby is a sport that values relationships, and we are delighted to renew these relationships in Newport", commented coach Pat Parfrey."