From the British Columbia Rugby Union
Dolesau and Blanks named CRC Co-Players of the Year
The inaugural Canadian Rugby Championship player of the year award will be shared this season by Josefa Dolesau from British Columbia and Dean Blanks from the Atlantic Rock.
Dolesau, who currently plies his trade for Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, was an attacking menace in each game he played for BC, tallying three tries in five outings. Blanks had an impressive season while playing for The Rock at fly half, finishing as the team’s top-scorer.
Each of the four CRC teams (British Columbia, Ontario Blues, Atlantic Rock, Prairie Wolf Pack) was granted a vote for their best player and a member of the opposition that most impressed this season. Rugby Canada also made a nomination for each team’s standout performer. At the end of the process the nominations were added up and Dolesau and Blanks were tied.
“Jo was a threat in every match for us during the 2011 season and the award is well deserved,” said BC head coach Kris De Scossa. “He led by example with his performances and although he wasn’t the most vocal member of our squad, his quiet approach to training and dedication to playing high level rugby speaks for itself.”
Dolesau also received accolades from Prairie Wolf Pack head coach Col Jeffs.
“Dolesau is a strong and elusive ball run runner,” Jeffs said before adding, “He reads the game well and can find a hole in the defence to run at and challenge his opposition. [He was] a strong defender too.”
Dolesau’s strongest performance of the 2011 CRC came against the Wolf Pack in Kelowna on August 13th, when the speedy centre scored two tries to lift BC to a 31-29 victory.
“He is an electric operator for BC and one that gave defences nightmares all season,” said Patrick McCarry, Press Officer for the 2011 CRC. “A two-try game against the Pack in Kelowna will long live in the memory.”
Other players to receive votes included; Connor Braid (British Columbia), Eric Wilson (British Columbia) Kyle Gilmour (Wolf Pack), Brett Beukeboom (Ontario), Jon Phelan (Atlantic Rock), Steve Piatek (Ontario) and Conor McCann (Ontario).
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