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The Ontario Blues will field eight Canadian internationals in their first match of the year on Saturday as they take on Old Blue at Randall’s Island Park in New York City. It’s the first of two pre-season friendlies against high caliber US opposition for the defending MacTier Cup champions, who will also take on the Glendale Raptors on May 20 in Burlington, Ontario.
Americas Rugby Championship prop Rob Brouwer will captain the side that has three other 2017 ARC reps in flanker Lucas Rumball and outside backs Kainoa Lloyd and Rory McDonell. The latter makes his first appearance in a Blues jersey since 2011, earning a call-up to the Canada ‘A’ side last year by virtue of his outstanding play with the Brantford Harlequins and culminating in his test debut in March against Brazil.
Other full caps in the side are prop Tom Dolezel, second row Paul Ciulini, back row Andrew Wilson, and scrumhalf Andrew Ferguson. Second rows Hank McQueen and Mike Sheppard have seen Canada ‘A’ action, as has experienced No 8 Seb Pearson who returns to the side after missing the entirety of the 2016 season with injury. A trio of age-grade internationals bolster the pack in hookers AJ Quattrin and Cam Sandison and flanker Peter Milazzo, while the backs have national u20 caps in Mitch Richardson, a left-footed flyhalf or center, and utility back Jon West.
Old Blue will be no slouch with several high profile players set to play in the match. Eagles ARC captain Nate Augspurger headlines a team that is likely to include international props Anthony Purpura and Demecus Beach, outside back Ryan Matyas, and a pair of Ohio Aviators standouts in hooker Dylan Fawsitt and loose forward Sebastián Kalm.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm. At the time of writing there is no live stream available.
FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (capt., Lindsay) Tom Dolezel (London St. George’s), Pat Lynott (Bytown Blues), Ryan Surgenor (Bytown Blues), AJ Quattrin (Aurora Barbarians), Cam Sandison (Oakville Crusaders), Paul Ciulini (Aurora Barbarians), Hank McQueen (Balmy Beach), Mike Sheppard (Brampton Beavers), Peter Milazzo (Toronto Saracens), Seb Pearson (London St. George’s), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach), Andrew Wilson (Oakville Crusaders)
BACKS
Andrew Ferguson (Oakville Crusaders), Mario van der Westhuizen (Guelph Redcoats), Shawn Windsor (Stoney Creek Camels), Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek Camels), Kyle Knight (London St. George’s), John Sheridan (Markham Irish), Jon West (Oakville Crusaders), Josh Campbell (London St. George’s), Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga Blues), Rory McDonell (Brantford Harlequins)
