Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canada has selected their strongest possible squad to take part in the NACRA Sevens this coming weekend. Among the 14 players chosen to travel to North Carolina are overseas professionals Jeff Hassler, Taylor Paris, and national 15s captain Tyler Ardron. All three have previous HSBC Sevens Series experience. The squad will be trimmed to 12 before the start of the tournament on Saturday.
Star playmaker Phil Mack is back after recovering from a serious knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines since the Dubai tournament in December. Also making their return are Ciaran Hearn and Justin Douglas, both key members of the squad in recent years. John Moonlight continues as captain, having recovered from a rib injury suffered in London.
Of the 12 players that took part in the series finale at Twickenham last month, four players – Sean White, Matt Evans, Pat Kay, and Admir Cejvanovic – did not make the cut. Nanyak Dala was not in contention as he continues to recover from a bicep injury.
This year’s NACRA tournament takes on special significance as the winner automatically qualifies for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Canada has had mixed results on the HSBC Sevens Series this season, starting slowly but finishing strongly to end the season in 9th spot on the overall table. The high of the season was undoubtedly a first ever victory over New Zealand in Tokyo, a win which led them to the semi-finals of that tournament.
Hosts USA are favorites heading into the tournament on the back of their own first, a Cup Final win in London and a 6th place finish on the series table. Whichever country emerges victorious, there remains a last chance repechage avenue for the last Olympic spot, date and location to be determined.
All games will be streamed live at www.usarugbytv.com.
CANADA 7s NACRA SQUAD
Tyler Ardron (Ospreys), Connor Braid (Glasgow), Justin Douglas (Abbotsford), Sean Duke (UVic Vikes), Mike Fuailefau (Castaway Wanderers), Jeff Hassler (Ospreys), Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers), Nathan Hirayama (UVic Vikes), Harry Jones (Capilano), Phil Mack (James Bay), John Moonlight (capt., James Bay), Taylor Paris (Agen), Conor Trainor (UBCOB Ravens), Adam Zaruba (Capilano)
Head Coach: Liam Middleton
POOL FIXTURES
June 13 – v Bahamas (13:44 EST)
June 13 – v Trinidad & Tobago (16:06 EST)
June 13 – v Guyana (18:28 EST)
June 14 – v Cayman Islands (09:22 EST)
Finals tbd
