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Canadian coach Liam Middleton has freshened up his squad ahead of the Pan Am Games in Toronto. The sevens action takes place over two days, from July 11-12. Only half the side that took part in the NACRA tournament have been retained, with six changes in all.
As expected, professionals Tyler Ardron and Taylor Paris have been withdrawn to prepare for the Pacific Nations Cup, which kicks off less than a week later on July 18. Connor Braid, Ciaran Hearn, Phil Mack, and Adam Zaruba are also being rested.
Coming into the team are Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Lucas Hammond, Pat Kay, Patrick Parfrey, and Sean White. All six have seen action on the HSBC World Sevens Series this past season.
Parfrey’s selection puts in doubt his availability for the Canadian Rugby Championship, due to take place on June 28 and July 1. He had previously been named as part of the Atlantic Rock squad. No other sevens squad members have been released for the tournament.
Five members of the team were part of the squad that won gold in the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara. Hirayama, White, Sean Duke, Conor Trainor, and captain John Moonlight all participated, narrowly defeating Argentina in the final.
Canada are in Pool B along with Argentina, Brazil, and Guyana. Pool A consists of Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, and USA.
CANADA SEVENS
Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Justin Douglas (Abbotsford), Sean Duke (UVic Vikes), Mike Fuailefau (Castaway Wanderers), Lucas Hammond (Toronto Nomads), Nathan Hirayama (UVic Vikes), Harry Jones (Capilano), Pat Kay (UVic Vikes), John Moonlight (capt., James Bay), Patrick Parfrey (James Bay), Conor Trainor (UBCOB Ravens), Sean White (James Bay)
