A Wallaby in the Wolf Pack

Ok, it’s a stretch. A bit of poetic license granted. But it’s a catchy title and had Evan Olmstead gone in a different direction, it might not have been far from reality. The 6’6″ second row lives in Australia, plays for Parramatta in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition, and has that unmistakable accent that screams green and gold. Make no mistake, however, he is Canadian, and Olmstead is keen to drive that point home.

Evan was born in North Vancouver, the son of the late John Olmstead, a long-time player and past president of the Capilano club, home to a few other famous Canadian players like some bloke named Cudmore. His family is all Canadian and it wasn’t until John got a work opportunity he couldn’t refuse that he moved south to Sydney at age 3. The temporary move soon became permanent, but Canada was never far from his thoughts.

“The initial plan was to move across for two years, but we ended up staying. I’ve been back to Canada every year or so since. Growing up in Australia, watching the Bledisloe Cup, you idolize guys like John Eales and Dan Vickerman, but playing for Canada has always been a dream for me.

“I started playing in elementary school [at age 11] and when I was in year 7, the World Cup was in Australia. Many of dad’s friends from Caps and his younger days came down and we went to watch Canada play Wales and New Zealand in Melbourne, and then Tonga at WIN Stadium. Dad knew Richard Cudmore and after that match he introduced us to Jamie, who took me under his wing and took us in to meet the whole team. I got a signed jersey with names like Al Charron on it and I still have it in my bedroom at home. It was an awesome experience.”

Olmstead was inspired by his session with some of Canada’s greats, but was still stuck in Sydney, an awful long way from Canadian headquarters in Victoria. His size and ability started to get noticed and with international rugby within his grasp, he had a big decision to make.

“I was playing 1st grade for Gordon at the time and was getting looked at for the Australia u20s, but that day at Wollongong stuck with me. I talked it over with my friends and family, and decided to throw my hat in the ring for Canada. I wanted to make a career out of rugby. I’d seen what guys like Jamie [Cudmore] and Mike James had achieved and thought it looked like a good option, where I could have a long and successful career.”

Mike Shelley selected him for the Canadian u20 side without hesitation and the team traveled to Georgia for the World Junior Trophy. It was a tough tournament for the team, but a number of quality players have since graduated to higher honours, including overseas stars Taylor Paris, Jeff Hassler, and current senior men’s captain Tyler Ardron.

Olmstead drifted out of sight for a couple seasons as he concentrated on his development back in Australia. He switched clubs to Parramatta, where he has been an every day starter for the past two seasons. A new Australian professional competition, the NRC, was re-booted last year and though he was named in the initial squad for the Greater Sydney Rams, he was a surprise omission after the final roster cut. That’s when the Wolf Pack came calling.

“Graeme Moffat was one of my coaches at the u20s, and I’d been in discussions with him about coming over. When the Rams went for other options I jumped at the chance. It was a good opportunity to put myself in the shop window in front of the Canadian selectors.”

That he certainly did. The Wolf Pack had their best ever season in the CRC, and Olmstead was at the forefront of a dominant group of forwards, impressing both at the set piece and with his work rate around the pitch. He was rewarded with selection to the Canada ‘A’ side for the ARC tournament in October, and many feel he was unlucky not to be picked for the senior tour in November. He was back in March, however, and got the call to head to Fiji to play in the Pacific Challenge, where he looked bigger and meaner than he had before.

“Missing out on November was disappointing but it did give me a good period of time to let the niggles heal and hit the gym in preparation for this year. I was carrying a few injuries in the ARC which limited my ability to do weights so I was getting a little bit skinny. I was sitting at about 106kg, so I worked hard with Andy Evans [Rugby Canada strength coach] I put on about 10kgs over the Australian summer.

“During the tour to Fiji the coaches let me know I’d added a little too much around the middle so I’ve been pretty strict with no alcohol and no junk food since then. Now I feel much fitter, I’m still about 115kg but I’ve shed a lot of excess fat.”

Canada has traditionally been strong in the second row, and Kieran Crowley will have a tough time selecting for this year’s World Cup with a handful of established players already in the pro ranks and the likes of Aaron Flagg and Cameron Pierce emerging as genuine contenders as well.

“Cam and I are good friends and it’s awesome to see him doing so well in France. I don’t really know the others too well, but I’d like to think I stand out a bit because I bring a bit of mongrel to the pack. Not too many players really have it really. That and my hair. It definitely stands out, for better or worse.”

Olmstead looks right at home in the Wolf Pack with an impressive mane and wild man appearance. When asked if another hirsute member of the squad – beardo co-founder Hubert Buydens – was an inspiration, he says no.

“Hubert and I have many interesting historic, political and economic discussions but so far have managed to avoid the topic of hair. That’s probably for the best.

“It’s definitely not a strategic decision. I was growing my hair when I was at university and cut it before my first graduate position. I had massive hair regret when I did that, given the baldness that seems to flow through my family, so I figured I’d better start enjoying it now.”

Whether or not he makes the cut for the Pacific Nations or, even better, the World Cup, Olmstead is clearly enjoying his time in Canadian rugby and seems genuinely passionate about the country.

“I love playing here. The fans are terrific, and it’s also great to have my aunties, uncles, and cousins around who have never had the chance to see me play before. The skiing is great as well, we can do it in Australia but ski season overlaps with rugby season and the mountains are a 6 hour drive from Sydney so I never get to go!

“On the flip side my mum, sister, and girlfriend all live in Australia, so it’s unfortunate that most of the Canada games and all of the Wolf Pack stuff is far away and they don’t get to share in that, but I’ve got their support and that makes it easier.”

As the Wolf Pack prepares for a big Cup Final tomorrow, the big fella is hopeful.

“I think we have a really solid chance but I wouldn’t consider us the favorites. The Blues have won it four times in a row! With a record like that you’d have to think it’s not going to be easy. The home crowd in Calgary has been fantastic, so let’s hope it helps give the boys that little extra push over the line this year.”