Aaron Carpenter Interview
1. How are you feeling ahead of the Churchill Cup final against England Saxons?
We are feeling very positive ahead of the game against the Saxons on Saturday. We feel like we felt a little overawed to be in the final last year at this time of the tournament but that this year we expected to be in the final and are ready for the challenge of a strong Saxons squad.
2. How do you prepare for a match like that?
To prepare for a match like this is no different than any other week you just need to stay on task and go through team reps and try not to focus on the importance of the match. If we just stick to what we have been doing consistently on the field for the last couple weeks and make just a couple changes where we think we can take advantage of them we should be able to come out on top.
3. What was the feeling in the squad when you reached the final?
The feeling of the squad was one of accomplishment. We started in the first week setting ourselves a goal of winning the Churchill cup after having made it to the final last year we wanted to improve and do one better this time around. Making to the final was a bit of a relief as well knowing we have given ourselves the chance to reach that goal on Saturday.
4. In the World Cup you have a tough group, with France and New Zealand both going to be hard teams to beat. How will you approach the pool stages?
Since the squad hasn't been announced yet I would just like to make the world cup squad that is my first goal and then I can start worrying about who we face in the pool stages. Every team going to the world cup is always improving and the IRB has done a wonderful job making the 2 tier nations more able to compete. We just can't get overawed by our opponents we just have to play smart and try and win as many games as possible.
5. What do you think of Canada's chances in the World Cup?
I think we have a reasonable chance we need to turn over a very tough France team and win our Japan and Tonga games to proceed to the Quarter finals not an impossible task. France can have days where they just don't show up as we saw in the six nations against Italy so hopefully we catch them on one of those days. Playing the All Blacks in New Zealand will be an experience not to forget so hopefully we will do ourselves proud and anything can happen on the day so here is hoping for a big upset.
6. How does playing in the English Championship compare to rugby in Canada?
The Championship is a really good league with a lot of fully professional teams and players. Where as rugby in Canada you do not get so much of either you have a select group of professional guys at the top end playing for Canada and then a lot of amateurs playing the sport for the love of the game.
7. Is Rugby growing in popularity in Canada?
I think rugby is growing in popularity as football grows in North America so does rugby and we are seeing more football grounds and teams in the US and Canada and more schools are adopting rugby programs all the time because it is a less expensive alternative to American Football.
8. Who was your Rugby Idol growing up?
My rugby Idol growing up were guys on the Canadian team like Al Charron and Danny Baugh guys who I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from their experience.
9. How did you get into playing Rugby?
My brother introduced me to the game at a young age after he got involved in it at high school and we started throwing the ball around and tackling each other a bit until I went to high school and joined the team.
10. What is the highlight of your career so far?
The answer to that has to be participating in the 2007 World Cup it was an awesome experience and one I know the 2011 version will hopefully surpass.
11. What is the most memorable match you have ever played in?
Playing against Wales in front of 70 000 people at millennium stadium a record for the largest audience any Canadian team has every played in front of. That was pretty special.
Other Questions
1. Favourite food - Lasagne
2. Favourite film - Gladiator
3. Favourite sports team (outside of rugby) - Toronto Blue Jays
4. Favourite band - The Beatles
5. Hero (outside of Rugby) - My Parents
6. What do you enjoy in your spare time? - Read and play video games
