Kingsley Jones Names 28 Players for Portugal and Belgium Matches
If anyone thought there would be decisive action taken after Rugby Canada failed to qualify for the World Cup, think again. Rugby Canada is operating as normal, some might say in a state of denial. We’ll cover this in more detail later in the week, including the video by Kingsley Jones where he basically says, “I plan on being here for the next four years”.
Whether he lasts the next four years, the next two years, or this year is another question but for now let’s look at the selections for these tests.
The first question to ask is, “who will be our next flyhalf”, such an important role to fill. Some have already pointed out, where is Will Kelly? He’s not on the roster or on the list of those injured or unavailable. No offence to Peter Nelson, but the 29 year old is not the future for Canada at the #10 position. He’s got a nice boot but in terms of game management and execution, defence, running threat, it’s not there. Chile’s #10, Rodrigo Fernandez, who was the standout player for them, was with the Chile 7s program from 2017-2020. Who is Canada’s next #10, isn’t now the time to start searching? Will Kelly, Brock Webster, Brennig Prevost, Cooper Coats, Thomas Isherwood, Pat Kay, Will Percillier, Grady Bowd, a lot of potential there. Shane O’Leary was Canada U20’s #10 when they came second in the JWRT. Rob Povey, Brock Webster and Spencer Jones have all played #10 at the club level, maybe they’ll get a shot this tour. That’s one of the knocks against Kingsley Jones, he’s stuck in his ways when it comes to selection, it will be Peter Nelson, even after it’s too late.
Canada need to start searching for the tight five who will get them to the next level. There’s no one new in the selections.
Who is new? Matthew Oworu, he’s been playing #8 for the Pride. David Richards from the 7s program has been playing wing with the Pride. Isaac Olson has been playing wing with the Pride.
Then you have the European pros, who seem reluctant to play for Canada under the current leadership, Ardron, Olmstead, Duguid, Percillier. Can you blame them, work on a pro career, or play for a national program that has treated its former stars with disdain.
The young players Kratz and Ngawati were brought along as spectators for the qualifiers, hopefully they’ll get starting roles on this tour.
It’s difficult to get excited about the tour after the major disappointment of the World Cup Qualifiers, it’s also difficult to see Rugby Canada have taken no steps to correct the leadership issues. The players no doubt will want to finish the year off on a high. Belgium should be an emphatic win for Canada, ranked lower (28) than Canada (23), they’re not even in the European World Cup qualifying tournament that includes Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Netherlands. Portugal should be a close match, Portugal are neck and neck with Romania to qualify as Europe 2, they defeated Russia 49-26 in July of this year.
from Rugby Canada
Head coach Kingsley Jones has announced his roster for Rugby Canadas National Senior Mens upcoming November fixtures. Canada face Portugal and Belgium on Nov. 6 and 13, respectively.
Jones group of players features a number of familiar faces from Canadas most recent matches. Canadas head coach has also indicated that several of the squads younger talent will feature in the teams upcoming matches.
Were excited about the selections for November, said Jones. [Were] excited to continue on with some continuity and cohesion. Its largely a young team, which is what weve been working with. There will beopportunities for select players to get some starts.
Both Portugal and Belgium will provide Canada with stiff competition, a needed component for Canadas continued development as a team.
We cant wait to get back on the field and pit ourselves against a team ranked in the Top-20 in the world, added Jones. Portugal are currently ranked No. 19 in World Rankings and are in the drivers seat to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 as European Nations #2.
Broadcast details are currently being finalized with Portugal Rugby and Belgium Rugby.
Canada Mens 15s Fall Fixture Roster
Kyle Baillie – Summerside, PEI – Toronto Arrows
Ross Braude – Pretoria, SA – Toronto Arrows
Foster Dewitt – Courtney, BC – Pacific Pride
Mason Flesch – Cobourg, ON – Toronto Arrows
Jason Higgins – Cork, IRE – Toronto Arrows
Eric Howard – Ottawa, ON – NOLA Gold
Jake Ilnicki – Williams Lake, BC – Unattached
Spencer Jones – Cambridge, NZ – Toronto Arrows
Cole Keith – Sussex, NB – Toronto Arrows
Josh Larsen – Parksville, BC – New England Free Jacks
Conor Keys – Stittsville, ON – Rugby ATL
Lachlan Kratz – Victoria, BC – NOLA Gold
Ben LeSage – Calgary, AB – Toronto Arrows
Kainoa Lloyd – Mississauga, ONT – James Bay AA
Peter Nelson – Dungannon, UK – Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
Quinn Ngawati – Victoria, BC – RUNY
Isaac Olson – Victoria, BC – Canada Mens 7s
Matthew Oworu – Calgary, AB – Canada Mens 7s
Rob Povey Long Buckby, UK – Houston SaberCats
Andrew Quattrin – Holland Landing, ON – Toronto Arrows
David Richard – Milton, ON – Canada Mens 7s
Tyler Rowland – Mississauga, ON Toronto Arrows
Lucas Rumball – Markham, ON – Toronto Arrows
Djustice Sears-Duru – Oakville, ON – Unattached
Michael Smith – White Rock, BC – San Diego Legion
Corey Thomas – Perth, Western AUS – LA Giltinis
Siaki Vikilani – Burnaby, BC – Toronto Arrows
Brock Webster – Uxbridge, ON – Canada Mens 7s
Injured or Unavailable For Selection
Patrick Parfrey – St. Johns, NL – Toronto Arrows/Swilers RFC
Matt Heaton – Godmanchester, QC – Rugby ATL
Tyler Ardron – Peterbourough, ON – Castres Olympique
Matt Tierney Oakville, ON Castres Olympique
Tyler Duguid – Edmonton, AB Montpellier Rugby
Will Percillier – Victoria, BC – Stade Français
Donald Carson – Delta, BC UBC Thunderbirds
Evan Olmstead – North Vancouver, BC – Biarritz Olympique
Cooper Coates – Halifax, NS – Halifax Tars
Cole Davis – Calgary, AB – Austin Gilgronis
Canadas Mens 15s Fall Fixture Schedule
Nov. 6, 2021 @ Portugal – 10:00am ET/7:00am PT – CAR Rugby Do Jamor, Lisbon
Nov. 13, 2021 @ Belgium – TBA – Stade Nelson Mandela, Brussels