Olympic race starts in Dubai

While the women have already qualified for Rio and kick off the Sevens Series in Dubai on Thursday, Canada’s men begin their hunt for a last gasp Olympic spot on Friday. With the World Cup out of the way, all attention can be given to the abbreviated game by the half-dozen players included who have returned from several months with the XVs program.

Head coach Liam Middleton will have a strong squad to rule over, and a pretty handy Maple Leafs development side to have a good look at as well. Former series star David Moonlight has been handed the reins of that group, but it’s the seniors who will have the spectator’s eye this weekend.

Leading from the front once again is John Moonlight, a contender for Dream Team selection at the end of every tournament seemingly without fail. Who joins him in the scrum to start is yet to be seen. Mike Fuailefau and Conor Trainor are options, so too the formidable Admir Cejvanovic and the even more imposing Adam Zaruba.

Phil Mack and Nathan Hirayama will reprise their roles as world class playmakers, with Sean White a capable understudy. Trainor might also find himself at centre, with versatile Harry Jones similarly capable of playing in the backs or forwards if need be. Pat Kay is also in the running, and record try scorer Sean Duke could operate on the wing, or move inside to make room for gas man Justin Douglas.

Middleton’s task will be to start solidifying what his best combinations are. Moonlight, Mack, and Hirayama are certainties. With Ciaran Hearn now chancing his arm at professional rugby with London Irish, there are now four spots that will have to be earned by form.

Given the strength of the development side – the Maple Leafs – as well, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that one or two might put their hand up for promotion. Nanyak Dala, for one, is already a proven performer on the world stage, and he will certainly be looking to show his best form with a shot at earning an immediate recall for Cape Town.

Lucas Hammond will be captaining the side and eyeing up White’s spot on the senior squad, and there is serious firepower in the forms of teenage duo Luke Bradley and Trent Cooper. Mike Mullins has an ideal combination of size and athleticism that could see him eyed up as a dynamic forward, and another teenager, Andrew Coe, has already shown speed and vision that have him earmarked as a potential star at both sevens and XVs.

There are still others outside these two groups who could come yet into the equation. Circuit veterans Connor Braid, Mike Scholz, and Liam Underwood all miss out, while youngsters Theo Sauder and Mitch Santilli are thrilling attackers. It’s a good problem to have for Middleton, who has had a full preseason to work with the side after a delayed and rushed entrance last year.

The season starts ominously – against defending Series champions Fiji no less – but it’s a chance to immediately show some resolve. Argentina and Japan are beatable so regardless of the outcome of game one the door to the cup draw remains open. If Canada are to get their season off on the right foot and feed their Olympic flames, a top eight finish is a must.

CANADA MEN’S SEVENS
Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Justin Douglas (Abbotsford), Sean Duke (unattached), Mike Fuailefau (Castaway Wanderers), Nathan Hirayama (Richmond), Harry Jones (Capilano), Pat Kay (UVic Vikes), Phil Mack (James Bay), John Moonlight (capt., James Bay), Conor Trainor (UBCOB Ravens), Sean White (James Bay), Adam Zaruba (Capilano)

Head Coach – Liam Middleton
Assistant Coach – Lee Douglas
Manager – Brian Hunter
Therapist – Danielle Mah
Analyst – Calum Ramsay

DAY 1 FIXTURES
Dec 4 – 00:00 EST – vs Fiji
Dec 4 – 03:22 EST – vs Argentina
Dec 4 – 09:06 EST – vs Japan

MAPLE LEAFS MEN’S SEVENS
Luke Bradley (UVic Vikes), Andrew Coe (UBC Thunderbirds), Trent Cooper (James Bay), Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers), Riley DiNardo (Guelph Gryphons), Aaron Evison (James Bay), Lucas Hammond (capt., Toronto Nomads), Matt Mullins (Queen’s Golden Gaels), Karsten Leitner (UBC Thunderbirds), Luke McCloskey (Castaway Wanderers), Ollie Nott (UVic Vikes), Jon West (Guelph Gryphons)

Coach – David Moonlight
Manager – Sean Liebich
Therapist – Katie Wnuk

DAY 1 FIXTURES
Dec 4 – 04:20 EST – vs Germany
Dec 4 – 07:00 EST – vs Spain
Dec 4 – 09:20 EST – vs Royals