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Sean Duke is coming out of retirement to suit up for Canada – again. The 31-year-old has made a surprise return to the Canadian Men’s Sevens team for the Pan Am Games, three years after he called it quits on the international stage following 42 HSBC Sevens Series events and 11 test caps.
It’s not the first time he has been an unexpected inclusion. Duke answered the call of Mark Anscombe in June 2017, winning two more caps on the wing, but he has not played for the sevens side since March 2016 – the inaugural Vancouver Sevens.
Now 31, the medical student has thrown his hat back in the mix with the Olympics suddenly on offer after the team won the North American Qualifier event in George Town just 10 days ago. This will be Duke’s second Pan Am Games. He was part of the side that won gold in 2015 after defeating Argentina in a dramatic final.
Also returning to the side is Admir Cejvanovic, with a first senior selection for u20 graduate Brennig Prevost. Ruled out with injury are Justin Douglas, Connor Braid, and Lucas Hammond while veterans Mike Fuailefau and Matt Mullins are among those rested.
The three-day rugby event in Lima, Peru, begins on Friday, July 26 with the final matches held on Sunday, July 28. Canada will play against Uruguay, Jamaica, and Argentina in the pool stage.
CANADA MEN’S SEVENS
Phil Berna, Cooper Coats, Admir Cejvanovic, Sean Duke, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones (capt.), Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, Josiah Morra, Brennig Prevost, Adam Zaruba
FIXTURES
Fri, Jul 26 – 10:20 PT / 13:20 ET – vs Uruguay
Sat, Jul 27 – 10:20 PT / 13:20 ET – vs Jamaica
Sat, Jul 27 – 14:55 PT / 17:55 ET – vs Argentina
