Winning return for Pacific Pride

The Pacific Pride returned to the field for the first time since 2005 on the weekend, playing a preseason fixture against the Nanaimo Hornets at May Bennett Park. Rugby Canada’s centralized academy side came away 45-26 winners, the Pride scoring 33 points in the second half after a 12-all deadlock at halftime.

A 30-strong playing squad was revealed late last week. While the team was intended to be for uncapped Canadian talent, there are four exceptions. Former UVic flanker Ollie Nott won two caps during the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship, with utility back Josh Thiel earning his first cap against Chile in 2018.

Flyhalf Will Kelly and centre Guiseppe du Toit were part of Canada’s World Cup training squad. Kelly and du Toit will play with the Pride through November, at which time they will switch their focus to the Toronto Arrows and Major League Rugby.

Nine members of Canada’s u20 Trophy squad are included – tighthead prop Tyler Rowland, hooker Mike McCarthy, lock Reid Davis, back rows Mason Flesch and Siaki Vikilani, flyhalf Brock Webster, centre Quinn Ngawati, winger David Richard, and fullback Thomas Isherwood.

Other recent graduates of the national age grade program include props Liam Murray and Nik Hildebrand, hooker Dewald Kotze, second row Thomas Davidson, scrumhalf Brock Gallagher, flyhalf or fullback Brennig Prevost, and winger Anton Ngongo. Murray, Webster, and Ngongo have already been capped at senior ‘A’ level.

There are two players making the switch from gridiron – former Hec Crichton winner Ed Ilnicki and Laval defensive lineman Marc-Antoine Ouellet. Back row forward Austin James is the younger brother of u20 flanker Quentin and son of former Canadian great Mike. Taitusi Vikilani, older brother of Siaki, is a powerhouse No8 who has BC Bears experience in the Canadian Rugby Championship.

A complete fixture list can be seen here.

PACIFIC PRIDE vs Nanaimo
1 Morgan MacIntyre, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Nolan Howell, 5 Thomas Davidson, 6 Reid Davis, 7 Mason Flesch, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 9 Crosby Stewart, 10 Will Kelly (capt.), 11 D’Shawn Bowen, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Quinn Ngawati, 14 David Richard, 15 Thomas Isherwood

FORWARDS
Nik Hildebrand (Burnaby Lake), Morgan MacIntyre (UPEI Panthers), Liam Murray (James Bay), Marc-Antoine Ouellet (CRQ), Tyler Rowland (Toronto Nomads), Dewald Kotze (Strathcona Druids), Mike McCarthy (Swilers), Thomas Davidson (Toronto Scottish), Reid Davis (Bayside), Nolan Howell (Richmond), Mason Flesch (Cobourg Saxons), Austin James (Burnaby Lake), Cody Nhanala (Ottawa Ospreys), Ollie Nott (UVic Vikes), Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby Lake), Taitusi Vikilani (Burnaby Lake)

BACKS
Brock Gallagher (Strathcona Druids), Crosby Stewart (UVic Vikes), Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins / Toronto Arrows), Brennig Prevost (Castaway Wanderers), Brock Webster (Oshawa Vikings), Guiseppe du Toit (UVic Vikes / Toronto Arrows), Quinn Ngawati (Westshore), Josh Thiel (Abbotsford), Ed Ilnicki (Edmonton Druids), D’Shawn Bowen (Kingston Panthers), Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers), David Richard (Mississauga Blues), Thomas Isherwood (Foothills Lions), Alex Russell (McGill Redmen)