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New Canada men’s 7s head coach Damian McGrath will look to some familiar faces to set the standard in the opening leg of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series. Only two new players have been selected in the traveling squad of 13 that will participate in Dubai and Cape Town over the next two weekends. National u20 graduate Karsten Leitner and Quebec native Caleb Jordan will have a chance to make their senior international debuts, with both offering much-needed pace to a team stuttered to a 13th place finish in the 2015-16 season.
John Moonlight leads the side with star flyhalf Nathan Hirayama an able deputy. Established squad members Harry Jones, Mike Fuailefau, and Pat Kay add vital experience while Liam Underwood returns after missing the entirety of the 2015-16 circuit with injury. Of note is the absence of a proven playmaker to fill the gap left by the departures of Phil Mack, Sean White, and Lucas Hammond from the squad.
Canada have been drawn in Pool A for Dubai, and will start their season opposite Olympic champions Fiji. The unofficial ‘Pool of Death’ also contains 5th place HSBC Series finishers Argentina and arch-nemesis Wales. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
CANADA MEN’s 7s
Phil Berna, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Caleb Jordan, Pat Kay, Karsten Leitner, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (capt.), Matt Mullins, Liam Underwood, Adam Zaruba
Head Coach – Damian McGrath
Assistant Coach – Lee Douglas
Analyst – Calum Ramsay
Manager – Brian Hunter
Physiotherapist – Danielle Mah
DAY ONE POOL FIXTURES (December 2)
10:52 local, 01:52 ET – vs Fiji
14:14 local, 03:14 ET – vs Argentina
19:31 local, 10:31 ET – vs Wales
