Alberta name squad for Blues match

Graeme Moffat has named 26 players to prepare for the Alberta Select XV match against the Ontario Blues at Ellerslie Park in Edmonton on Sunday. While the team will not officially play under the Wolf Pack banner, the game will serve as a prelude to the Canadian Rugby Championship season which begins in March, where a large number of the players involved will look to defend their CRC title.

Included in the group are six members of Canada’s 2016 Americas Rugby Championship squad, with World Cup halfback Gordon McRorie and veteran no8 Clay Panga heading the group. Also present are prop Ryan Kotlewski, scrumhalf Jake Robinson, centre Mozac Samson, and outside back Duncan Maguire.

Kotlewski is part of a strong front row core that also contains Canada ‘A’ cap Peter Houlihan, now returned from a stint in Australia. BC Bears loosehead John Braddock and Wolf Pack tighthead Nick McAuley are the other props, with former Canada u20 hookers Matt Harrison and Casey Reed along with Red Deer native Wayde Hodgen in line to contest the starting no2 shirt.

Rugby league rep Kyle Morrison is named as a loose forward with the St. Albert trio of Panga, Orrin Farries, and Jonny Clarke. Hornets lock Eric Lopatinsky returns to Wolf Pack contention after a couple years in the wilderness, and provincial u20 standout Conor Turner gets a look in senior colours.

Former Canada u18 scrumhalf Jake Bentley will play understudy to expected starting pair Robinson and McRorie. The midfield looks solid with ARC debutant Mo Samson and national u20 grad Joe Erlic. James Bay’s Matt Mackenzie is also included, now listed with the Edmonton Clansmen.

Established Wolf Pack wingers Ian Shoults and Graham Turner are joined by u20 flyer Aaron Evison in the wide channels. Prospect Liam O’Hallahan, brother of former Wolf Pack standout Shea, will get a look at fullback along with goal kicker Dave Evans, hailing from the Grizzlies club of Bow Valley.

FORWARDS
John Braddock (Rams), Peter Houlihan (Druids), Ryan Kotlewski (Saints), Nick McAuley (Saints), Matt Harrison (St. Albert), Wayde Hodgen (Hornets), Casey Reed (Clansmen), Eric Lopatinsky (Hornets), Connor Sorensen (Saints), Conor Turner (Hornets), Jonny Clarke (St. Albert), Orrin Farries (St. Albert), Kyle Morrison (Nor’westers), Clay Panga (St. Albert)

BACKS
Jake Bentley (Canucks), Jake Robinson (St. Albert), Gordon McRorie (Hornets), Joe Erlic (Clansmen), Matt Mackenzie (Clansmen), Mozac Samson (Saints), Aaron Evison (Druids), Duncan Maguire (St. Albert), Ian Shoults (Irish), Graham Turner (Hornets), Dave Evans (Bow Valley), Liam O’Hallahan (Grande Prairie)

Head Coach – Graeme Moffat
Assistant Coach – Tyler Hawes
Assistant Coach – Dan Mikel
Manager – Jim Kazakoff
Assistant Manager – Jo Reinbold
Athletic Therapist – Rebecca Henderson