World Cup Watch – Canada – May 20, 2021

It’s been four months since our last look at Canada’s depth chart. While there have been no official selections since, we are now at the midpoint of the Major League Rugby season and can use club form as a guide to making some reasonable though not entirely objective adjustments.

Canada’s July test schedule is now set with games against Wales and England on July 3 and 10 respectively. With only two games the traveling group will be smaller than usual, likely between 26 and 28 players. A roster should be unveiled in mid-June leaving precious little time for players currently on the fringes to force their way in.

Worth noting is that the games clash with the business end of the MLR schedule. This may complicate selections with some players possibly left behind who might have normally traveled. The obvious sticking point is the caliber of opposition, which demands the best possible Canadian representation.

With the games now in the UK it makes sense that many of Canada’s European-based contingent will be included to reduce travel demands. That could see a bolter or two selected from academy sides, or perhaps new players identified with Canadian qualifications.

The list has been increased from 42 to 44 players, with two additional ‘traveling reserves’ named to reflect the approved expansion of World Cup rosters from 31 to 33 for the 2023 tournament. While this opens opportunities for some, it further highlights a lack of experience outside the starters.

 

CANADA

##

NAME

CLUB

POS

CAPS

FIRST XV

1	Djustice Sears-Duru	Seattle Seawolves	LH	52
2	Andrew Quattrin	Toronto Arrows	HO	5
3	Matt Tierney	Castres (FR)	TH	22
4	Evan Olmstead	Biarritz (FR)	LO	33
5	Kyle Baillie	NOLA Gold	LO	29
6	Lucas Rumball	Toronto Arrows	FL	35
7	Matt Heaton	Rugby ATL	FL	28
8	Tyler Ardron (c)	Castres (FR)	N8	37
9	Will Percillier	Stade Français (FR)	SH	2
10	Peter Nelson	Bressane (FR)	FH / FB	7
11	Doug Fraser	Old Glory DC	WI / CE	4
12	Quinn Ngawati	Rugby United New York	CE	–
13	Ben LeSage	Toronto Arrows	CE	16
14	Jeff Hassler	Austin Gilgronis	WI	27
15	Patrick Parfrey	Toronto Arrows	FB	32

Matt Tierney’s regular game time with Castres sees him promoted to the starting role. With Cole Keith now focused on loosehead for the Arrows, Tierney should be considered a specialist tighthead for Canada. Jake Ilnicki moves to the replacements list. While the Seawolves have struggled, Djustice Sears-Duru’s form is sufficient to hold the No1 shirt for now with Keith still adjusting to his new role.

Similarly Will Percillier’s advancement with Stade Français makes him a clear choice at No9. Shane O’Leary has had more game time in a higher French division than Peter Nelson, but the latter has been preferred by the selectors to this point so Nelson retains his position.

Taylor Paris is ruled out with injury so Doug Fraser’s strong form with Old Glory is rewarded with a spot on the wing. The other wing is a concern with Jeff Hassler facing a race against time to see any game time for Austin prior to the tour. If he is unavailable it could be clubmate Cole Davis who benefits.

Guiseppe du Toit has dropped down the pecking order for the Arrows leaving the No12 spot wide open. Patrick Parfrey is required at fullback given the lack of options, which could see uncapped Quinn Ngawati elevated despite featuring heavily on the wing for Rugby United New York. An alternative could be to play Nelson or Robbie Povey at fullback which would allow Parfrey to play at inside centre.

 

REPLACEMENTS

16	Eric Howard	NOLA Gold	HO	25
17	Cole Keith	Toronto Arrows	LH / TH	16
18	Jake Ilnicki	Seattle Seawolves	TH	38
19	Tyler Duguid	Montpellier (FR)	LO	–
20	Corey Thomas	LA Giltinis	FL / N8	–
21	Ross Braude	Toronto Arrows	SH	–
22	Shane O’Leary	Rouen Normandie (FR)	FH	14
23	Spencer Jones	Toronto Arrows	CE	–

Tyler Duguid vaults into the match day 23 thanks to his recent call-up to Montpellier’s senior squad. The loose forward reserve spot is somewhat problematic with no obvious No8 back-up to Tyler Ardron. More consistent game time sees uncapped Corey Thomas added for his ability to cover lock, blindside flanker, or No8. Toronto’s Mike Sheppard could be another option here though Thomas’ age profile tips the scales in his direction.

The rapid rise of Ross Braude sees the new Arrows starter taking a bench spot. Spencer Jones has only just returned but with Josh Thiel out injured and many backline alternatives tied up with Olympics preparations, Jones could be summoned immediately. 20-year-old Ciaran Breen, who will join Carcassonne next season, is a potential bolter.

 

TRAVELING RESERVES

24	Jordan Olsen	Northland (NZ)	HO	–
25	Pat Lynott	Toronto Arrows	LH	–
26	Tyler Rowland	Toronto Arrows	TH	–
27	Josh Larsen	New England Free Jacks	LO	15
28	Matt Beukeboom	Montauban (FR)	FL / LO	3
29	Luke Campbell	Old Glory DC	N8 / FL	13
30	Jason Higgins	Toronto Arrows	SH	–
31	Robbie Povey	Houston SaberCats	FH / FB	4
32	Lockie Kratz	Seattle Seawolves	CE	2
33	Cole Davis	Austin Gilgronis	WI	5

Jordan Olsen’s recent inactivity counts against him with New Zealand’s provincial competition ending months ago. At prop it’s the second-choice Arrows pair who have seen the most game time relative to their Houston counterparts. Matt Beukeboom could be an option to start on the blindside flank depending on how the selectors opt to balance the back row.

The third-choice scrumhalf is up for debate with any of Jason Higgins, Andrew Ferguson, or Utah’s Fraser Hurst a possibility though it’s unlikely a third specialist will be taken to Europe. Robbie Povey’s fine form with Houston sees him back in contention while Lockie Kratz has taken his chances with NOLA to jump ahead of both du Toit and George Barton.

 

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES

34	Jack McRogers	Toronto Arrows	HO	–
35	Liam Murray	Houston SaberCats	LH	–
36	Nik Hildebrand	Houston SaberCats	TH	–
37	Conor Keys	Rugby ATL	LO	18
38	Michael Smith	San Diego Legion	FL	–
39	Travis Larsen	San Diego Legion	N8 / FL	–
40	Andrew Ferguson	Toronto Arrows	SH	10
41	Will Kelly	Toronto Arrows	FH	1
42	Guiseppe du Toit	Toronto Arrows	CE	14
43	Karsten Leitner	Seattle Seawolves	WI	–
44	Nick Taylor	Seattle Seawolves	FB	–

Jack McRogers moves up the line at hooker with LA’s Lindsey Stevens another putting his hand up. Prop remains an issue with Marc-Antoine Ouellet only recently joining the Arrows camp and without any MLR game time. Of the two Houston props Nik Hildebrand has seen the most action.

It’s difficult to gauge where Conor Keys sits in the eyes of selectors with the rise of Duguid and Thomas adding to what is already a competitive position. Arrows pair Paul Ciulini and Adrian Wadden are others to consider, with Austin’s Reegan O’Gorman working his way back to full fitness. Mason Flesch has emerged as a lock option with Toronto but is more likely a loose forward at international level.

In the back row injuries to Nakai Penny and most recently Moe Abdelmonem sees San Diego openside Michael Smith leap into the frame. If it’s decided to leave either Matt Heaton or Lucas Rumball with their clubs he looks next in line for the No7 shirt.

France-based academy duo Quentin James and Logan Weidner could also be looked at. Injury has deprived Siaki Vikilani of any game time thus far with the Arrows, while Marcello Wainwright, also currently sidelined, and Kolby Francis have had limited opportunities.

Will Kelly is certainly a player of interest for the selectors but is still short of game time in MLR. Arrows teammate Mitch Richardson is part of a midfield group that includes aforementioned du Toit, Barton, and Breen. Thiel’s untimely knee injury leaves options thin in other areas.

The retirement of DTH van der Merwe, loss of Paris and potentially Hassler as well, and Tokyo priority leaves the outside backs particularly thin. Karsten Leitner and Nick Taylor are added to the list despite sharing only two match appearances between them this season. The selectors may look to bolster their immediate options with players not on the final Olympic roster though it has yet to be confirmed.

A detailed and expanded player pool can be seen here.