Canada Men’s XVs – November 2022

Jones Drops 4 Backs to Reach 32 Player List for Test Matches Against Netherlands and Namibia

Coach Kingsley Jones announced his 32 player list for the test matches against Netherlands and Namibia. The first match is this Saturday.

Four backs have been dropped from the 36 player list announced last week. Fly half Peter Nelson is off the list, a surprise considering Jones’ constant selection of Nelson throughout the failed World Cup qualifying process. A learning moment for Jones or a failed fitness test by Nelson, unknown at this time. Also dropped are 7s players Dawson Fatoric, who hasn’t been selected for the 7s series yet, D’Shawn Bowen and Alex Russell. Bowen upped his play at the Hong Kong 7s last weekend and was the hero in the win over Great Britain.

The cuts bring up some interesting questions, who will start at #10 is the first one, now that incumbent Peter Nelson is off the list. Cooper Coats and Rob Povey started in the Canada ‘A’ matches, Shane O’Leary is a possible choice now that he’s with the Arrows in the MLR, Grady Bowd may actually be used at second receiver now that only two centres remain on the books.

We’ll find out the match day 23 later this week as Canada take on the Netherlands on Saturday.

Hooker
Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – New England Free Jacks
Lindsey Stevens (Sydney, Australia) – Eastern Suburbs R.U.F.C.

Prop
Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – New England Free Jacks
Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Unattached
Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – New England Free Jacks
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / Pacific Pride
Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
Tyler Rowland (Mississauga, ON) – Toronto Arrows

Second Row
Conor Keys (Stittsville, Ottawa, ON) – New England Free Jacks
Josh Larsen (Nanaimo, BC) – New England Free Jacks
Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars

Back Row
Corey Thomas (Broome, Australia) – Unattached
Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – Canada Sevens
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Toronto Arrows
Luke Campbell (Victoria, BC) – Old Glory DC
Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / UVIC
Owain Ruttan (Cobourg, ON) – UBC
Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby, BC) – Toronto Arrows

Scrum Half
Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows

Fly Half
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars / Canada Sevens
Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers / Old Glory DC
Shane O’Leary (Ballina, Ireland) – Ballina/Killaloe RFC / Scariff RFC
Robert Povey (Oxford, UK) – Houston Sabercats

Centres
Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks
Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / Canada Sevens

Back Three
Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – Rugby NY
Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings / Canada Sevens
David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues / Canada Sevens
Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Unattached

from Rugby Canada

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Kingsley Jones has confirmed his 32-man squad for Canada’s next two international test matches against the Netherlands on November 12 and Namibia on November 19.

Both games will be held at the National Rugby Center Amsterdam in the Netherlands with kick-offs scheduled at 6:30 a.m. PT/9:30 a.m. ET.

November Internationals Schedule:

Netherlands vs. Canada – November 12 at 2:30 p.m. local time – 6:30 a.m. PT/9:30 a.m. ET.
Namibia vs. Canada – November 19 at 2:30 p.m. local time – 6:30 a.m. PT/9:30 a.m. ET.

Broadcast details to come.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM FOR TEST MATCHES VERSUS THE NETHERLANDS AND NAMIBIA

1. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – Rugby NY
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – New England Free Jacks
3. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks
4. Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings / Canada Sevens
5. Callum Botcher (Vancouver, BC) – Canada Sevens
6. Conor Keys (Stittsville, Ottawa, ON) – New England Free Jacks
7. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – New England Free Jacks
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars / Canada Sevens
9. Corey Thomas (Broome, Australia) – Unattached
10. David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues / Canada Sevens
11. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Unattached
12. Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – New England Free Jacks
13. Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers / Old Glory DC
14. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
15. Josh Larsen (Nanaimo, BC) – New England Free Jacks
16. Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / Canada Sevens
17. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
18. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Unattached
19. Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars
20. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / Pacific Pride
21. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
22. Lindsey Stevens (Sydney, Australia) – Eastern Suburbs R.U.F.C.
23. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Toronto Arrows
24. Luke Campbell (Victoria, BC) – Old Glory DC
25. Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / UVIC
26. Owain Ruttan (Cobourg, ON) – UBC
27. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
28. Robert Povey (Oxford, UK) – Houston Sabercats
29. Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows
30. Shane O’Leary (Ballina, Ireland) – Ballina/Killaloe RFC / Scariff RFC
31. Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby, BC) – Toronto Arrows
32. Tyler Rowland (Mississauga, ON) – Toronto Arrows


*Canada Name 36 Player Long List for Matches Against Netherlands and Namibia*

Kingsley Jones has named a 36 player long list for the two tests in Europe, that will quickly be knocked down to 32 next week. The Rugby Canada media release only says “many” of the 36 will assemble at the camp, so for four players it may not even include a trip to Europe. There’s no guarantee that all 32 players selected will get game time in the two match tour either. Five players on the 36 player long list are playing for Canada 7s in Hong Kong this weekend. The only player missing from the Canada ‘A’ starting XV that defeated Brazil is Gabe Casey at inside centre, a pity as he had a strong match and deserves a shot at a full cap. The top two European pros, Tyler Ardron and Tyler Duguid, aren’t listed.

Canada could possibly put out its “development” team against the Netherlands and the strongest team against Namibia. However with Jones’ past record he may put out his strongest lineup in both matches which may leave a lot of travelling players without significant game time.

There are only two hookers listed, they’ll both make the cut and get selected for both matches. There are six props, it’s unlikely any will get cut but it’s possible one may not get game time. Second row, there are four listed although some of the back row players can play second row. The incumbents Keys, Larsen and Baillie are likely to see the most game time, the Oxford player Von Dadelszen may make the cut and get some bench time against the Netherlands. There are seven back row players, likely some cuts here, Rumball, Thomas, Campbell, Vikilani likely to get a good share of game time based on Jones’ past selections, with Baillie perhaps added from second row.

In the backs, there are only two scrum halves, they’ll both get selected for the matches and share playing time. There are five possible fly halves, Nelson is a favourite of Jones and will likely start at least one match, O’Leary might get a start, Povey and Coats can play fullback as well, Bowd deserves a start but Jones didn’t use him in the Canada ‘A’ tour. There are three centres, likely all will be used, again a shame Gabe Casey wasn’t listed. There are seven outside backs, some cuts likely coming here, especially considering Coats and Povey could be listed here as well.

The match against the Netherlands should be a comprehensive win for Canada and a chance to play the “development” players from the group of 32. Netherlands are ranked 28th and Canada are ranked 23rd. Canada dispatched 26th ranked Belgium in their last meetings. The interesting game will be against 24th ranked Namibia. Canada were supposed to meet them at the last world cup but the match never happened due to weather cancellation. It’s been on everyone’s mind how this match will play out, it’s where Ardron, Duguid and Olmstead may have been called into action.

There’s no mention yet of what live stream arrangements have been planned.

Hooker
Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – New England Free Jacks
Lindsey Stevens (Sydney, Australia) – Eastern Suburbs R.U.F.C.

Prop
Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – New England Free Jacks
Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Unattached
Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – New England Free Jacks
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / Pacific Pride
Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
Tyler Rowland (Mississauga, ON) – Toronto Arrows

Second Row
Conor Keys (Stittsville, Ottawa, ON) – New England Free Jacks
Josh Larsen (Nanaimo, BC) – New England Free Jacks
Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars

Back Row
Corey Thomas (Broome, Australia) – Unattached
Callum Botcher (Vancouver, BC) – Canada Sevens
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Toronto Arrows
Luke Campbell (Victoria, BC) – Old Glory DC
Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / UVIC
Owain Ruttan (Cobourg, ON) – UBC
Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby, BC) – Toronto Arrows

Scrum Half
Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows

Fly Half
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars / Canada Sevens
Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers / Old Glory DC
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Stade Aurillacois
Shane O’Leary (Ballina, Ireland) – Ballina/Killaloe RFC / Scariff RFC
Robert Povey (Oxford, UK) – Houston Sabercats

Centres
Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks
Dawson Fatoric (Ottawa, ON) – Canada Sevens
Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / Canada Sevens

Back Three
Alex Russell (Chichester, England) – McGill University / Canada Sevens
Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – Rugby NY
Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings / Canada Sevens
D’Shawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues / Canada Sevens
Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Unattached

from Rugby Canada

November 2, 2022 (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – As the Fall fixtures in Europe approach, members of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team are set to gather for camp ahead of test matches against the Netherlands and Namibia in Amsterdam.

The Dutch will host Canada in their first game on November 12 before the Canadians conclude their European tour against Namibia on November 19. Both games will be held at the National Rugby Center Amsterdam with kick-offs scheduled at 6:30 a.m. PT/9:30 a.m. ET.

These two games will be Canada’s first test matches since their summer fixtures against Belgium and Spain.

“The whole team is very excited to get back to playing test match rugby again,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones. “We had positive performances from players in Brazil during the Americas Rugby Trophy competition. Those games allowed us to get our young talent some international experience while also giving them valuable playing time alongside some of our more experienced players.”

Jones has named a long list of 36 players, many of whom will assemble for camp in the Netherlands ahead of their first game on November 12. Early next week, Jones will finalize his 32-man squad that will be used to select Canada’s match day rosters for the games against the Netherlands and Namibia.

“All the players are looking forward to getting back to work as we begin our preparation for these next two test matches,” stated Jones. “There are still a few tough decisions to be made but we are incredibly pleased with this long list group of players as we look to narrow the squad to take on the Netherlands.”

Andrew Coe, Djustice Sears-Duru, Kainoa Lloyd, Luke Campbell and Shane O’Leary are amongst the experienced players who have been named in the long list

Fresh off the Americas Rugby Trophy, a development competition in Brazil in late October, prop Kyle Steeves and flanker Matthew Klimchuk have earned a call up to the senior long list after strong performances in Brazil. Both Steeves and Klimchuk started in a game against Brazil on October 26 and are part of Canada’s high-performance academy program, the Pacific Pride. Former UBC Thunderbird back row Owain Ruttan is also selected to the long list after starting the game in the forward pack with Steeves and Klimchuk.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM LONG LIST FOR TEST MATCHES VERSUS THE NETHERLANDS AND NAMIBIA

1. Alex Russell (Chichester, England) – McGill University / Canada Sevens
2. Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – Rugby NY
3. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – New England Free Jacks
4. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks
5. Brock Webster (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings / Canada Sevens
6. Callum Botcher (Vancouver, BC) – Canada Sevens
7. Conor Keys (Stittsville, Ottawa, ON) – New England Free Jacks
8. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – New England Free Jacks
9. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars / Canada Sevens
10. Corey Thomas (Broome, Australia) – Unattached
11. D’Shawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) – Mississauga Blues / Canada Sevens
13. Dawson Fatoric (Ottawa, ON) – Canada Sevens
14. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Unattached
15. Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – New England Free Jacks
16. Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers / Old Glory DC
17. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
18. Josh Larsen (Nanaimo, BC) – New England Free Jacks
19. Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / Canada Sevens
20. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Canada Sevens
21. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Unattached
22. Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars
23. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / Pacific Pride
24. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
25. Lindsey Stevens (Sydney, Australia) – Eastern Suburbs R.U.F.C.
26. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Toronto Arrows
27. Luke Campbell (Victoria, BC) – Old Glory DC
28. Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / UVIC
29. Owain Ruttan (Cobourg, ON) – UBC
30. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Stade Aurillacois
31. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
32. Robert Povey (Oxford, UK) – Houston Sabercats
33. Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows
34. Shane O’Leary (Ballina, Ireland) – Ballina/Killaloe RFC / Scariff RFC
35. Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby, BC) – Toronto Arrows
36. Tyler Rowland (Mississauga, ON) – Toronto Arrows

Posted in National Men's XVs.