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The Vancouver Island Crimson Tide has named a squad of 26 players to prepare for their exhibition contest against the defending Major League Rugby champion Seattle Seawolves next week. Starfire Stadium will host the match that will be played on the evening of Thursday, January 16.
Included are two full internationals, both with MLR connections. World Cup winger Kainoa Lloyd played with the Toronto Arrows in 2019 and is currently playing for James Bay while considering his options. Flyhalf Josh Thiel is named as he awaits visa clearance to join up with the San Diego Legion.
Other notables include a pair of Canada ‘A’ caps. Hard-running midfielder Mike Nieuwenhuysen trialed with Austin Elite last season while winger Anton Ngongo is now with the Pacific Pride after a couple injury-riddles seasons since playing in the 2016 Americas Pacific Challenge as a 19-year-old.
Four further Pride members are named. Promising back rowers Mason Flesch and Siaki Vikilani are joined by scrumhalf Crosby Stewart and fullback Brennig Prevost. Former CFL draftee Quinn Horton has played both tighthead prop and lock for Castaway Wanderers, and Hurricanes age-grade rep Tyler Symon-Burke is picked in the second row.
This will be the second year the two sides have played during the MLR preseason. Last year’s fixture was a 48-7 win for the Seawolves. Streaming details are still to be confirmed.
FORWARDS
John Braddock (Castaway Wanderers), Nico Krawczyk (James Bay), Foster DeWitt (Westshore), Blake van Heyningen (James Bay), Quinn Horton (Castaway Wanderers), Tom Scanlan (Nanaimo), Carter Filion (Westshore), Tyler Symon-Burke (Westshore), Nathan Stewart (Castaway Wanderers), Peyton Eagar (Westshore), Mason Flesch (Pacific Pride), James O’Neill (UVic Vikes), Siaki Vikilani (Pacific Pride)
BACKS
Brandon Schellenberger (Castaway Wanderers), Crosby Stewart (Pacific Pride), Logan Martin-Feek (UVic Vikes), Josh Thiel (Pacific Pride), Gabriel Casey (UVic Vikes), Taylor de Souza (Nanaimo), Mike Nieuwenhuysen (James Bay), Mua Uluilelata (Nanaimo), Noah Bain (UVic Vikes), Kainoa Lloyd (James Bay), Anton Ngongo (Pacific Pride), Brennig Prevost (Pacific Pride), Sam Reimer (Nanaimo)
