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With at least two and potentially three new teams joining Major League Rugby for the 2021 season another stack of North American talent will be required to fill out rosters. The lack of a team in Vancouver leaves a number of quality Canadian-eligible players available for teams south of the border.
Last year we nominated a dozen potential MLR recruits. Of those five have been signed up with a couple others denied action in 2020 due to the COVID-19 cancellation. This time we present a slightly more streamlined list, focusing on players who have the requisite international or professional experience to obtain all-important visa clearance.
Notably absent from the list are Shane O’Leary, Taylor Paris, and DTH van der Merwe. O’Leary and Paris have signed on with Rouen and Oyonnax respectively in the French Pro D2 while the latter has already agreed a move to an as-of-yet unnamed American team for the 2021 MLR campaign.
NOAH BARKER – LOOSEHEAD PROP
One of two players on this list who already boast MLR experience on their resumes. Barker played for Glendale in 2019, taking over as their first choice No1 upon arrival. He didn’t return in 2020 and with the Raptors now gone, his MLR rights are up for grabs. Unlucky to miss out World Cup selection, Barker is still only 27 and potentially has his best years ahead of him. He also has highly valuable ability to play across the front row.
JORDAN OLSEN – HOOKER
Four players from last year make the list again. Olsen remains uncapped but played for Canada against the Argentina XV in the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship. The 28-year-old is a six-year veteran of New Zealand’s provincial competition and took over as captain of Northland in 2019. While he hasn’t quite made the jump to Super Rugby, that leadership experience at a specialist position is hard to find without using up an import spot.
CONOR YOUNG – TIGHTHEAD PROP
A former Shute Shield regular with Southern Districts, the 24-year-old represented Canada at the 2015 World Rugby u20 Trophy. He has professional experience with the Greater Sydney Rams in Australia’s National Rugby Championship and most recently with the Southern Knights in the Scottish Super 6. Young played for the Scotland Club XV last year but could answer if the Canadian selectors came calling. He is also versatile, capable of playing both sides of the scrum.
REEGAN O’GORMAN – LOCK
If it weren’t for an untimely injury the 6’6″ (1.98m) specimen might have made an appearance in the 2020 season. Indeed there’s a decent chance he has already been signed behind the scenes. O’Gorman hasn’t appeared for Canada since winning four caps in the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship but trained with the squad prior to last year’s World Cup. The 24-year-old played for South Canterbury in New Zealand last year and is a potential starter once returned to full fitness.
JAMES O’NEILL – FLANKER
Highly rated by the Canadian selectors, O’Neill is a classic openside who excels at the breakdown. His characteristics extend beyond athletic talent. The 22-year-old captained the national u20 side and was a joint-winner of the prestigious Chancellor’s Award at the University of Victoria this year as the outstanding student-athlete after leading the Vikes to a national title win over UBC. Canadian flankers are already a hit south of the border and O’Neill could well be the next success story.
JORDEN SANDOVER-BEST – SCRUMHALF
If Vancouver had a team, this fella would be the favorite for the No9 shirt. Test recognition has eluded him beyond a single cap against Russia in 2018, but the former UBC star and current Old Boys stalwart is among the most accomplished players in the country outside of MLR. He won five consecutive BC Premier League titles from 2015-2019. Sandover-Best is now 25 and in the prime of his career. He would be a good fit for any team that wants to play a high tempo attacking game.
ADAM McQUEEN – FLYHALF
A teammate of Sandover-Best for both club and country, McQueen first came to prominence when he was called up to the Canada ‘A’ side for the 2013 Americas Rugby Championship as a 19-year-old. The Canmore, Alberta, native has switched between UBC and the Old Boys in recent years. In 2018 he starred in UBCOB’s win over the Houston SaberCats and then led the Ravens to a Rounsefell Cup title. He also started for the BC All-Star XV against Canada last August. McQueen’s educated left boot and goal kicking skill are desirable attributes.
PETER NELSON – FLYHALF / FULLBACK
Another left-footer, Nelson signed a short-term deal with the Seattle Seawolves earlier this year but the global pandemic prevented him from making an appearance. The 27-year-old is now a free agent having spent the time since the World Cup with Dungannon in Northern Ireland. Before running out for Canada he represented Ireland u20 and spent eight years with Ulster. Previously seen more as a fullback, Nelson started all three of Canada’s games in Japan at flyhalf and can also fill in at center.
KARSTEN LEITNER – WING
A frustrating Achilles injury sidelined the strong-running winger for several months but the 25-year-old is now fully recovered. Leitner has played for Canada at u20 and Senior ‘A’ level, and also on the World Sevens Series. He lined up against the Arrows with the Canada Selects in May 2018. A potential deal with Rugby ATL fell through earlier this year and it appears he is now open for offers. The former UVic Vikes star features a good combination of size and speed.
KAINOA LLOYD – WING
Had the season continued there is a strong chance Lloyd would have been snapped up by someone, perhaps even the Toronto Arrows who he played for on nine occasions in 2019. The 26-year-old flyer is a proven try scorer who might have more than his 11 test caps were it not for the presence of European-based trio Taylor Paris, Jeff Hassler, and DTH van der Merwe. As it was Lloyd was a late call-up to the World Cup squad though he didn’t get to feature in any of Canada’s games. He has most recently been turning out for James Bay in the BC Premier League.
