Canada makes changes for Wellington

Liam Middleton has been forced to make three changes to his Canada 7s team that heads to New Zealand for the next leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series. Nanyak Dala, Justin Douglas, and Mike Fuailefau drop out from the team that took part in Cape Town. In their place Adam Zaruba is recalled after returning to full fitness, and he is joined by new caps Luke McCloskey and Phil Berna. Maple Leafs development squad captain Lucas Hammond has also been added to the traveling squad as a 13th man.

The versatile Berna, a back row turned centre in XVs, was part of last year’s national u20 team that traveled to Portugal and is in the running for this year’s potential trip to Zimbabwe. McCloskey has been a standout wing for UVic for several seasons. Both have recently been part of the Maple Leafs.

Joining Dala, Douglas, and Fuailefau on the sidelines are longer term casualties Conor Trainor, Liam Underwood, and Mitch Santilli. Trainor took a knock to the shoulder in Dubai in early December, Underwood damaged his knee against Ireland in September, and Santilli is rehabbing from an ACL repair following his injury suffered last May in Portugal.

Canada are currently in 13th spot after two events. They are in Pool D in Wellington, along with Kenya, Australia, and Portugal. The tournament kicks off on Friday, January 29 local (January 28 in Canada).

CANADA 7s
Phil Berna, Admir Cejvanovic, Sean Duke, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Pat Kay, Phil Mack, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (capt.), Matt Mullins, Sean White, Adam Zaruba

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

WELLINGTON DAY 1
Jan 28 – 15:58 PST / 18:58 EST – v Kenya
Jan 28 – 19:22 PST / 22:22 EST – v Australia
Jan 28 – 22:12 PST / 01:12 EST – v Portugal