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Jake Thiel is in line to make his senior sevens debut for Canada after being named in the squad to take part in the Sydney leg of the HSBC Sevens Series this weekend. The 20-year-old loose forward – whose father Jon played in three World Cups as a prop for Canada’s XV-a-side team – is called in to replace Admir Cejvanovic after captaining the Maple Leafs in the Sudamerica Sevens series earlier this month.
Cejvanovic is one of two players who have left the squad to take part in the Americas 2 Rugby World Cup Qualifying series against Uruguay, the other Connor Braid. Meanwhile Liam Underwood is ruled out with injury. Lucas Hammond and Phil Berna have also been struggling with injury but have been named in the squad and are expected to be fit for duty.
Making the trip south are Jared Douglas and Luke McCloskey. Douglas joins younger brother Justin in the squad and is effectively a replacement for Braid while McCloskey covers Underwood’s utility back role.
Canada are currently 7th overall after two tournaments. They reached the Semi Finals in Cape Town last month, ultimately coming in 4th place. The team has been draw in Pool D for Sydney, along with Scotland, hosts Australia, and North American rivals USA.
All matches will be streamed live by CBC Sports.
CANADA
Phil Berna, Jared Douglas, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones (capt.), Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight, Matt Mullins, Jake Thiel
POOL STAGE FIXTURES
Jan 26 – 20:34 local, 04:34 ET – vs Scotland
Jan 27 – 17:15 local, 01:15 ET – vs Australia
Jan 27 – 20:26 local, 04:26 ET – vs USA
