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Canada are one step closer to confirming their World Cup squad after announcing a traveling group of 31 for the Pacific Nations Cup. A dozen players are now on the outside looking in, though Head Coach Kingsley Jones says there is still time to make changes.
“The PNC’s are a great team-building effort and an exercise in building continuity and cohesion going into the World Cup. Exciting games coming up and we’ll find out a lot about each other.
“We’ve got 40 guys here at camp and can obviously only select 31 players. A couple of guys will miss out on this tour, but it doesn’t mean they’ll miss out on the World Cup. The door is still open for others.”
Noah Barker is left out as Jones has opted for nine front rowers including uncapped Arrows hooker Andrew Quattrin and veteran loosehead prop Rob Brouwer, who has yet to play a test under Jones. In the second row there is no place for Paul Ciulini or Josh Larsen, while Dustin Dobravsky, Nakai Penny, and Travis Larsen are the odd men out in the back row.
Jamie Mackenzie is given he nod as primary scrumhalf reserve at the expense of Andrew Ferguson. Nick Blevins has fended off the challenge of Seattle’s George Barton, with Guiseppe du Toit and Doug Fraser also missing out in the midfield. Arrows pair Dan Moor and Kainoa Lloyd make way in the outside backs.
As of yet there are no call-ups from the u20 Trophy and the chances of that now look unlikely given the results. Sevens players are also out in the cold with Americas Rugby Championship starter Andrew Coe left out and Connor Braid injured. Theo Sauder continues his rehabilitation on a shoulder injury.
The PNC will begin next weekend in Colorado with a match against the USA. Matches against Fiji and Tonga in Suva and Lautoka respectively follow. A detailed squad list can be seen here.
FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Toronto Arrows), Hubert Buydens (NOLA Gold), Djustice Sears-Duru (Seattle Seawolves), Eric Howard (NOLA Gold), Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac, FR), Andrew Quattrin (Toronto Arrows), Jake Ilnicki (Seattle Seawolves), Cole Keith (Toronto Arrows), Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Conor Keys (Rotherham Titans, UK), Evan Olmstead (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Mike Sheppard (Toronto Arrows), Kyle Baillie (NOLA Gold), Justin Blanchet (Bedford Blues, UK), Matt Heaton (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows), Tyler Ardron (capt., Chiefs, NZ), Luke Campbell (Toronto Arrows)
BACKS
Phil Mack (Seattle Seawolves), Jamie Mackenzie (Toronto Arrows), Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets), Shane O’Leary (Nottingham, UK), Patrick Parfrey (Toronto Arrows), Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Ciaran Hearn (London Irish, UK), Ben LeSage (UBC Thunderbirds), Conor Trainor (Nevers, FR), DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Jeff Hassler (Seattle Seawolves), Taylor Paris (Castres, FR), Peter Nelson (Ulster, IR)
