CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The P.E.I. Abbies control their own destiny.
The provincial men’s rugby squad is in St. John’s, N.L., today for the first of two weekend games with the Newfoundland Rock to close out the Eastern Canadian Super League regular season.
Both teams are 3-1 in Atlantic Division play with the first-place squad earning a bye in next week’s playoffs in Halifax.
“It’s massive,” Abbies head coach James Voye said of the bye. “It’s something the guys have been talking about and focused on and it’s kind of what’s helped drive them a little bit, just to be able to know if we earn that bye, we don’t have to play (next) Friday.”
It is the Abbies first season playing in the super league. They play the other three teams in Atlantic Canada twice with the playoffs, including the two squads from Ontario and Quebec.
“We were hoping we might be in this situation, but you never know what’s going to happen,” Voye said. “We knew we were capable of it, (we) just weren't sure if it would be this year or not. . . The fact we’re going to Newfoundland with a chance to earn a bye is pretty unique.”
While this is the first season for the Abbies, they are not a traditional new team. Most of the players also compete with for the Charlottetown Mudmen club squad in the Nova Scotia league. They won the league and Maritime championship a year ago.
That familiarity has been key to the team’s success, Voye said.
“They all know each other and read and react off each other well.”
While the squad has received contributions up and down its roster during the season, it will be looking for key games this weekend from Liam Carter, Dominique Ryan, Charlie Waddell, Sheldon Cudmore and captain Alex Forrest.
The Abbies have a full 23-man roster in Newfoundland.
“Kudos to them for their commitment and their fundraising to make it happen,” Voye said.
The Abbies and Rock play tonight and Sunday afternoon at the Swilers Rugby Club.
“I am expecting a really close battle on Friday,” Voye said. “With two games in such short time, who knows what both teams will look like on Sunday.”
He said it will be key to weather the storm from the home side during the first 15 minutes of tonight’s game.
“They’re going to be just as fired up, playing on their home pitch, and they know what’s at stake as well.”
