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Mark Anscombe has named his first Canada team as head coach. The New Zealander has named the most experienced side possible for Saturday’s historic match against Japan, the first ever 15-a-side rugby match to be played at Vancouver’s scenic BC Place. The stadium housed the sport for the first time at the Vancouver 7s in March, a spectacular event that was met with unanimous approval from fans, players, and administrators alike.
A knee injury suffered by Hubert Buydens while playing for San Diego on the weekend has ruled him out of the Japan test, handing Djustice Sears-Duru his fifth test start, with Jake Ilnicki tabbed to hold down the right side of the scrum. Kyle Baillie and Lucas Rumball are paired in a destructive back row combation with Aaron Carpenter.
Six forward reserves have been selected, with each expected to play a role in the second half. Matt Tierney and Matt Heaton are poised to make their test debuts while Tom Dolezel returns after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Brock Staller is selected ahead of Mozac Samson, with Dan Moor getting the nod over Jordan Wilson-Ross in the only contentious spots among the backline. Taylor Paris will make his first appearance since his knee injury suffered last August, and reserve scrumhalf Jamie Mackenzie is back in side after opting out of the Americas Rugby Championship.
Japan are currently ranked 10th in the world, eight spots above Canada. The two sides last met in July of last year, with the Brave Blossoms winning 20-6 in San Jose during the Pacific Nations Cup. Canada have not defeated Japan since May of 2005, recording five defeats and two draws since.
The match kicks off at 3pm local time (6pm Eastern) and will be broadcast live on TSN.
CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Jake Ilnicki 4 Jamie Cudmore (capt.) 5 Evan Olmstead 6 Kyle Baillie 7 Lucas Rumball 8 Aaron Carpenter 9 Gordon McRorie 10 Patrick Parfrey 11 Taylor Paris 12 Nick Blevins 13 Brock Staller 14 Dan Moor 15 Matt Evans
16 Eric Howard 17 Tom Dolezel 18 Matt Tierney 19 Paul Ciulini 20 Matt Heaton 21 Alistair Clark 22 Jamie Mackenzie 23 Mozac Samson
