Buydens and Tiedemann prop up Wolf Pack

International props Hubert Buydens and Andrew Tiedemann return to their roots as they suit up for the Wolf Pack in the upcoming Canadian Rugby Championship. The two test veterans have been named in head coach Graeme Moffat’s final squad for the abbreviated tournament, having returned from professional contracts overseas to take part in what promises to be a very exciting week in Calgary.

Buydens, originally from the Wild Oats club in Saskatoon, turned out for Manatawu in New Zealand’s ITM Cup last season but has been most recently seen in the colours of Castaway Wanderers in Victoria. Tiedemann hails from St. Albert and spent this past season holding up Plymouth Albion’s scrum in the Greene King IPA Championship, the second level of professional rugby in England.

Joining the duo up front are are former Scottish Universities tighthead Nick McAuley, Clayton Thornber of UVic and Castaways stock, and giant national u20 bookend Liam Beaulieu, who has moved from Bayside to St. Albert. Incumbent hooker Matt Harrison, who impressed last season and was part of that same u20 side, is expected to be first choice once again.

The second row is much the same as last season. Canada ‘A’ standout Evan Olmstead is a certainty to start in on spot, with a handful of options at the other. Returning veterans Ian Huston and Spencer Massiah are in the mix along with returning Josh Schlebach, himself a former Canada junior player, while versatile New Zealander Chris Long returns for the first time since his inclusion in the 2012 ARC squad.

Captain Kyle Gilmour and fellow international Nanyak Dala should occupy the flank positions, with Clay Panga and Lucas Albornoz in line to contest the vacant no8 spot. Panga has recently signed on as player-coach at St. Albert after spending the winter moonlighting as a flyhalf for Castaway Wanderers. Vancouver-born Albornoz has come along for the ride, hoping to win Canada honours after previously playing for Argentina at junior levels.

Last year’s outstanding CRC player Gordie McRorie will start at scrumhalf, but who his halfback partner will be has yet to be seen. Adam McQueen was part of last year’s national u20 group and is the only specialist flyhalf in the squad, but there are hints that coach Graeme Moffat may look at another u20 grad, Red Deer’s Gradyn Bowd, to fill the void. Bowd has played his rep rugby at centre up until now.

The midfield looks very strong with a handful of solid options. Last year’s pairing Nick Blevins and Dustin MacPherson are back, but have Mozac Samson and Ben LeSage hot on their heels. Fijian-born Samson has been on the Canada radar in the past, while LeSage was a starter on last year’s national u20s, missing out on this year’s squad due to injury.

Out wide it looks like Graham Turner and Adam Bontus will continue on the wing, and the loss of standout fullback Shea O’Hallahan looks to be tempered with the return of Welsh-born Carl Pocock, who preceded O’Hallahan in the 2013 season.

The Wolf Pack will face the BC Bears on June 28 in Calgary, with the winner moving on to the CRC Final on July 1 to face either defending champions Ontario Blues or the Atlantic Rock. Canada’s training squad for the Pacific Nations and World Cup will be named following the tournament.

FORWARDS
Liam Beaulieu (St. Albert), Hubert Buydens (Castaway Wanderers), Nick McAuley (Calgary Saints), Clayton Thornber (Castaway Wanderers), Andrew Tiedemann (Plymouth Albion), Matt Harrison (Winnipeg Assassins), Wayde Hodgen (Red Deer Titans), Spencer Watkins (Foothills Lions), Ian Huston (Calgary Saints), Spencer Massiah (Calgary Hornets), Evan Olmstead (Parramatta Two Blues), Josh Schlebach (Calgary Irish), Lucas Albornoz (St. Albert), Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers), Kyle Gilmour (St. Albert), Chris Long (Palmerston North), Clayton Panga (St. Albert)

BACKS
James Buchanan (Calgary Hornets), Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets), Adam McQueen (Calgary Hornets), Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer Titans), Ben LeSage (Calgary Canucks), Dustin MacPherson (Calgary Hornets), Mozac Samson (Calgary Saints), Adam Bontus (St. Albert), Justin Law (Edmonton Clansmen), Graham Turner (Calgary Hornets), Carl Pocock (Calgary Hornets)