Vancouver Highlanders set to host Brazil XV on Saturday

The Vancouver Highlanders will face another international side on Saturday. Following victories over the Canada Selects, Barbados, and Germany, they now square off against a Brazil XV at the Capilano Rugby Club’s home pitch at scenic Klahanie Park.

Changes in the front row see Jacob Bossi restored at hooker with Cole Kelly getting his first start at tighthead prop. Kaden Duguid comes in at lock to partner Karl Hunger, with Joe Locke handed a starting spot on the flank after two replacement appearances.

James Biss will get a chance to impress Canadian selectors in the No10 shirt and there will be experience outside him with test veteran Guiseppe du Toit joining the squad from the Miami Sharks. Three others arrive from Major League Rugby sides to bolster the bench – second row Callum Botchar via NOLA Gold, scrumhalf Sam Reimer, and winger Noah Bain, the latter two both from the Utah Warriors.

Brazil have brought a development side but there is considerable test experience. 11 players from the match day squad have represented the senior Tupis while the same numer appeared for the Cobras during this year’s Super Rugby Americas campaign. Others are selected from Brazil’s age grade international sides.

Loosehead prop Levy Marinho and flanker Maiki Lemes suited up in the test against Hong Kong last month. Kauã Guimarães adds considerable bulk to the second row, with Victor Silva a danger man in the midfield. Two players based in the UK are included, both uncapped – starter Raphael Hollister and 18-year-old reserve center Leo Davies.

Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 8pm Eastern, 9pm Brasilia. Tickets can be purchased here. A live stream will be available on the Highlanders YouTube Page.

VANCOUVER HIGHLANDERS
1 Connor O’Flaherty, 2 Jacob Bossi, 3 Cole Kelly, 4 Karl Hunger, 5 Kaden Duguid, 6 Saba Shubitidze, 7 Joe Locke, 8 Relmu Wilson-Valdes, 9 Reid Watkins, 10 James Biss, 11 Nico Leonard, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Melani Nanai, 14 D’Shawn Bowen, 15 Mike Moloney

Replacements: 16 Conall Henchy, 17 Theo Espagnol, 18 Payton Teneycke, 19 Caden Wilson, 20 Callum Botchar, 21 Thomas Davidson, 22 Alastair Marshall, 23 Josh Thiel, 24 Nick Blain, 25 Noah Bain, 26 Sam Reimer

BRAZIL XV
1 Levy Marinho, 2 Leonardo de Souza, 3 João Talamini, 4 Renato Santos, 5 Kauã Guimarães, 6 Iarley Santana, 7 Maiki Lemes, 8 Pedro Aparecido, 9 Guilherme Oliveira, 10 Gustavo Pompeo (capt.), 11 Sérgio Luna, 12 Raphael Hollister, 13 Victor Silva, 14 Andrei Santana, 15 Robson Morais

Replacements: 16 Nick Sydorowitz, 17 Lucas Abud, 18 Nicolas Rocha, 19 Luccas Adib, 20 Kaiky Araújo, 21 Nassor Lukata, 22 Matheus Cruz, 23 Widson Menezes, 24 Leo Davies, 25 Joel Júnior

Date: Saturday, August 3
Venue: Klahanie Park, West Vancouver
Kickoff: 17:00 local (20:00 Eastern, 21:00 Brasilia)
Broadcasts: YouTube