Five Pros who could play for Canada

Canada has historically selected the vast majority of its players from those who have come up through the domestic system. Many of the best have moved on to overseas contracts after impressing on international duty. Those who have been selected from other nations invariably have a Canadian connection, being either born in the country or by virtue of a Canadian parent, with current scrumhalf Gordon McRorie a rare exception having qualified via the three-year residency rule.

As other smaller nations with limited playing numbers cast their net ever wider to find professional players that meet the eligibility requirements, Canada has also followed suit somewhat. Dan Joyce, Sam Hayward, Lucas Albornoz, and Travis Larsen on the current Canada ‘A’ tour have all spent their formative years playing their rugby abroad. Below are five current professionals based overseas who qualify to represent Canada – though their likelihood of doing so varies greatly.

 

Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin – Prop – ACT Brumbies

Previously known simply as Les Makin, the stocky 24-year-old was born in Canberra to a Canadian father and Samoan mother, therefore qualifying for all three nations. In 2012 he traveled to the u20 Championship with Australia as first-choice tighthead, and is now on the books at the Brumbies where he made 10 appearances as a reserve this season. Leulua’iali’i-Makin is unusually short for a tighthead but exceptionally strong which makes him a difficult opponent in the scrum. At the moment he is chasing a Wallaby cap and it looks unlikely we’ll see him in a Canadian jersey any time soon, if ever. Look for him holding up the UC Vikings scrum in the NRC.

 

Josh Larsen – Lock – Northland

A raw-boned 22-year-old who can also play blindside flank, Larsen is the younger of two brothers born in British Columbia to a Canadian mother and a rugby-playing dad from New Zealand. Josh has already represented Canada at u20 level – in 2014 – and spent a short time playing for James Bay before returning to the Taieri club in New Zealand and the University of Otago. After making the Otago ‘B’ squad last year, he has bumped up to the senior Northland squad for the Mitre 10 Cup, and scored a try in his second appearance off the bench on the weekend. He’s certainly a project player for now but has a good engine and is not shy about mixing it up in the trenches. Older bro Travis, a loose forward, has now been called up by the Canada ‘A’ squad currently on tour in the UK.

 

Justin Blanchet – Flanker – Bedford Blues

Just days removed from his 23rd birthday, Blanchet is another of a pair of Canadian-born brothers with professional experience overseas. Justin and Sam hail from Montreal and moved to the UK as schoolboys, but both opted to turn out for Canada at u17 level. Older brother Sam, 24, has since represented England 7s and will have to wait until October 2017 if he wants to pursue a switch back to Canada via the Olympic loophole. Justin trained with the England u20 squad but remains immediately available for the country of his birth. At 6’4″ he is a useful lineout presence and is most renowned for his hard-hitting defense. If he continues to impress in the Greene King IPA Championship he could get a look in the future.

 

Luke McGrath – Scrumhalf – Leinster

A two-year member of Ireland’s u20s and captain of the side in 2013, McGrath is Ontario born but firmly Irish. He is now the incumbent starter at Leinster and rated by many as a certainty for Ireland honors, yet a call-up to Joe Schmidt’s side has thus far eluded him. A sharp rugby brain and obvious leadership qualities are strengths, with some suggesting his pass needs tightening up before he cracks test rugby. He’ll have ample opportunity to impress in this season’s Guinness Pro 12. Despite turning out for Emerging Ireland during the Nations Cup he remains eligible for Canada, though it seems the green jersey of Ireland is now within his grasp.

 

Shane O’Leary – Flyhalf – Connacht

Will he or won’t he? To say that flyhalf has been a problem position for Canada in recent years is a considerable understatement. Born in Ireland to a Canadian mother from New Brunswick, O’Leary has been presumptuously hailed as the solution to the problem since representing Canada u20 in 2013, but has until now turned Rugby Canada’s overtures to play for the senior side with his Connacht contract requiring him to remain Irish-eligible. While at 23 he his hardly approaching his twilight years, he’s likely coming to a crossroads at the end of the season where he may well have to weigh a chance at the 2019 World Cup against another contract in Ireland.

 

QUALIFIED AMATEURS

 

Paddy Finlay – Hooker – Trinity College

The Dublin University star looked mightily impressive with Canada u20 side in 2015, and was reportedly considered unlucky not to have made the same Ireland age-grade side. Aggressive, mobile, and very strong in the contact area, the Canadian selectors would love to have him put up his hand for selection. As of now it seems he’s weighing his options though the Irish provinces have yet to come calling.

 

Richard Townsend – Hooker – Richmond

A Canada u20 rep back in 2009, Townsend has worked his way back into the RFU Championship as a semi-pro with Richmond. Formerly at Dings Crusaders, Ealing Trailfinders, and French club Éparnay, the 26-year-old will need to solidify his spot in the Richmond lineup if he hopes to challenge for senior Canada honors. Born and raised in Hereford, England, Townsend remains eligible for Canada thanks to a BC-born grandmother.

 

Chris Taylor – Prop – UBC Thunderbirds

A highly-rated tighthead who starred alongside McGrath with the Ireland u20s in 2013, Taylor grew disillusioned at the Ulster Academy and headed to Vancouver to pursue a masters degree in kinesiology. He has thus far turned down offers to train with the Canadian side with a view to completing his studies, but has stated that he is not opposed to the idea in the future. Taylor qualifies via ancestry with his grandfather hailing from Winnipeg.

 

Jack Evans – Fullback – Llandovery

At only 19 the Victoria, BC, native is still some ways from challenging for a spot in the national side but could be a surprise invitation to next season’s u20s, that is if Wales don’t come calling first. He’s already played for their national u18s and spent last season with Gloucester’s Academy side. Evans is now back playing for Llandovery in the Welsh Premiership. Having spent several years living in Canada it’s not a stretch to think he could take a serious crack at the Maple Leaf down the road.

 

ONE THAT GOT AWAY

 

George Kruis – Lock – England

Before the England selectors opened their doors the big Saracens second row was receiving hourly text messages from Kieran Crowley to run out for Canada. While that bit might be a slight exaggeration, Kruis qualifies thanks to a Canadian father and would have been welcomed with open arms had he opted to play for Canada instead of the lowly Six Nations champions. Perhaps one day he’ll accept an invitation to wear the red jersey at the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda. Oh what might have been…