Canada Ring in Changes Against USA

Canadian Head Coach Kieran Crowley has rolled out the changes as his side prepares to take on the USA in the 5th/6th place match at the Pacific Nations Cup finals tomorrow in British Columbia. Crowley has made 12 changes to his lineup that finished in last place with an 0-3 record during pool play. The Maple Leafs high point was their heart breaking near-upset of Samoa during Round 3.

The changes bring uncertainty to the squad that has dominated the overall series against the USA. The last time the two teams met was during the 2014 PNC in a thrilling match that was won by the USA.

Of the starting XV that faced Samoa, only John Moonlight, Kyle Gilmour, and Conor Trainor return to the starting lineup. Hooker, Aaron Carpenter will Captain the side in the place of injured No. 8 Tyler Ardron.

The Canadian pack will need to set the tone against a USA forward group that has done most of the work for the Eagles. Hubert Buydens, Aaron Carpenter, and Jake Ilnicki anchor the front row for the Maple Leafs. Ilnicki returns to the side after a brief absence. In the second row, Jon Phelan and Brett Beukeboom get the nod at lock.

Kyle Gilmour, John Moonlight, and Richard Thorpe combine to cover the back row for Canada. Thorpe has big shoes to fill as he comes on as a replacement for Ardron. Moonlight has been solid in the PNC and will need a big effort to match the USA back row that is the strong point of their side.

Jamie Mackenzie comes on at scrumhalf in replacement of injured Gordon McRorie. Mackenzie is making his first appearance in the PNC this year. He’ll link with Liam Underwood who will be needed to attack at a USA group of backs that has been inconsistent on defense during the PNC. Connor Braid and Ciaran Hearn will be tasked with punching holes in the USA defense and giving the Maple Leafs go forward.

Conor Trainor and Jeff Hassler cover the wing for Canada. Hassler has been one of the more consistent performers for Canada this PNC and they’ll need a big effort out of him. Harry Jones rounds out the side at fullback.

The two sides kick off their match at 5pm EST as part of the PNC finals day that includes Fiji/Samoa playing for the PNC Title and Tonga/Japan playing in the 3rd place match.

Canada Roster vs. USA

1. Hubert Buydens – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2. Aaron Carpenter – Captain (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Brantford, ON
3. Jake Ilnicki – (Eastern Suburbs RFC/BC Bears) Williams Lake, BC
4. Jon Phelan – (Doncaster Knights/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QB
5. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates) Lindsay, ON
6. Kyle Gilmour – (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8. Richard Thorpe – (London Welsh) Beckenham, England
9. Jamie Mackenzie – (UBCOB Ravens/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
10. Liam Underwood – (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
11. Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
12. Connor Braid – (Unattached/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
13. Ciaran Hearn – (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Okotoks, AB
15. Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC

Canada Reserves
16. Ray Barkwill – (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
17. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
18. Doug Wooldridge – (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
19. Evan Olmstead – (Parramatta Two Blues/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
20. Nanyak Dala – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Regina, SK
21. Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
22. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
23. James Pritchard – (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia