Canadian U18 Team Defeat German National U18 Team 24-15 to Finish Tour With Three Wins
An excellent end of tour match for the U18 Dog River Howlers as they defeated the German National U18 team 24-15 to finish the tour with 3 wins from 3 games. The team was predominantly a BC U18 team with 23 of the 28 tour players from BC and coaches from St. George’s and Shawnigan schools. The match video can be viewed here.
The following match report was from coach Bill Chamberlain.
In a high-intensity clash filled with passion and pride, the Dog River Howlers wrapped up their German tour with a hard-fought 24-15 victory over the German U18 National Team. The tone was set early as the Canadians won the opening “battle” with a proud and spirited rendition of their national anthem. The Howlers opened the scoring with a penalty, but Germany responded with a converted try to take a 7–3 lead. A deft chip from fly half Robert Jaques was expertly gathered and finished by Jasper Keast, putting the Howlers ahead 10–7 before a German penalty sent the sides into halftime locked at 10–10. After a sharp halftime message from their coaches, the Howlers responded with renewed focus. A beautifully executed training ground move, designed by attack coach Remi Anctil, saw Keast draw defenders before putting Logan Jones into space, who linked up with Thomas Stenkie for a blazing finish down the touchline, restoring the lead at 17–10. Though the Germans battled back with an unconverted try to close the gap to 17–15, the Canadian forward pack—well-drilled by coaches Levi Moore and Jon Mergui—took over. A dominant maul and powerful carries led to Elijah Palov crashing over for his third try of the tour, with Jaques slotting a brilliant sideline conversion to stretch the lead to 24–15. In the dying moments, Germany surged once more, but Luke Prest sealed the result with a crucial jackal turnover that earned a penalty and allowed the Howlers to end the match with a tap and kick to touch. Fly half Robert Jaques earned Man of the Match honours for his composed, game-breaking performance—living up to his nickname, “Big Game Bob,” and no doubt playing with a heavy heart during an emotional week. Special thanks go to Karl Fix for making this incredible international fixture possible, and to the German Rugby Union for their warm hospitality and commitment to youth rugby excellence.
Touring U18 Team Claims 2nd Win in Germany – Face National Team on Sunday
The Dog River Howlers touring team, a mostly BC U18 team, won their second match in Germany against the national provincial champions Baden-Württemberg yesterday. It was a close 24-17 victory. Coach Bill Chamberlain submitted this match report.
In a fiercely contested and entertaining rugby clash in Germany, the Dog River Howlers edged out a talented Baden-Württemberg provincial side 24-17 in a back-and-forth battle that showcased the depth, skill, and spirit of both teams. The Howlers struck first with an early try, but RBW responded with grit and structure, matching the Canadians phase for phase in a match that saw both squads rotate as many as 27 players.
With the score tied late in the second half, the game was ultimately decided when Elijah Palov, who earned Man of the Match honours, pounced on a loose ball near a ruck on the goal line to score the match-winner. Strong performances also came from Bohdan Morris, Milo McDonald, and Ayden Radke, while both sides were praised for the high level of play, sportsmanship, and mutual respect that made the day a true celebration of international rugby. The Howlers now finish up their tour of Germany with a final match against the U18 German National Team on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.—stay tuned for viewing details.
Canadian U18 Team Starts Germany Tour with 60-0 Win Over Berlin; Rugby Canada Development Camp Starts Today at University of Guelph
What better way to celebrate Canada Day than news of the next generation of rugby stars advancing through at the U18 level. We’ll start off with news from Germany where a Canadian U18 team, the Dog River Howlers, defeated Berlin U18 60-0 in their first tour match. The team is predominantly from BC with 23 of the 27 players from BC, 3 from Saskatchewan and 1 from NZ.
The coaches, Remi Anctil and Bill Chamberlain sent this report, “The Dog River Howlers delivered a dazzling display of fast, free-flowing rugby in Berlin, running in a flurry of highlight-reel tries—both from long range and close quarters—to claim a 60-0 victory over a spirited and resilient combined Berlin club team. While the scoreline reflected the Howlers’ attacking flair and cohesive team play, full credit goes to the Berlin hosts for their outstanding efforts in organizing the match and fielding a competitive side that never backed down. The fixture was played in great spirit, with both teams embracing the camaraderie and culture that make rugby special, and the Howlers were deeply appreciative of the hospitality and sportsmanship shown throughout an unforgettable day of international rugby.”
Player of the match was flyhalf Michael Oughtred from Oak Bay High School. He had featured in Phil Smith’s Island high school reports this spring as a player to watch. Next up for the team is a match on July 3rd in Heidelberg against Baden-Württemberg who are the national provincial champions. Their final match on July 6th will be against the German National U18 team in Heidelberg.
Howlers U18 Team Tour Group at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (photo by Chris Graham)
Also news from Rugby Canada that their U18 Development Camp in Ontario at the University of Guelph kicks off today. Their press release is below.
from Rugby Canada
Eighty-seven players have been named to Rugby Canada’s 2025 U18 men’s summer development camp.
Held over July 1 to 7 at the University of Guelph, the camp will be led by Cory Hector (University of Guelph) and Didier Banse (University of British Columbia).
This national development camp will serve as just one of many talent identification points for Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team, along with other provincial competitions taking place across the summer, including (but not limited to) the BC Rugby Provincial Regional Championships, the Atlantic Rugby Championships and the 2025 U19 Canadian Rugby Championships.
“Our coaching staff is looking forward to working with these 87 players in Guelph this week,” said Hector. “Our aim is to expose a wide group of players from across the country to a high performance training environment, develop their technical and tactical skills, and ignite some competition with East vs West matches. Along with the many other competitions and tournaments taking place for young players in Canada this summer, this will be a great opportunity to continue to identify and develop the next generation of national team players. Of the recently named Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team training squad currently in Edmonton, six players boast U18 experience, while 18 players from this year’s U20 team have participated in the U18 program.”
CANADA’S MEN’S U18 CAMP SQUAD
Adam Robinson (Kingston, ON) – Kingston Panthers RFC
Adriaan de Necker (Kyle, SK) – Gophers RFC
Aidan McGuire (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues RFC
Aiden Smyth (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Angjelo Kola (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC
Ariston Xourafas (Blackrock, IRE) – Blackrock College
Ashton Burton (Whitby, ON) – Ajax Wanderers RFC
Aton Biakabutuka (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues RFC
Ayden Harvey (Binbrook, ON) – Burlington Centaurs RFC
Ben Blewman (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC
Blake Marshall (Gold Coast, AUS) – The Southport School
Brady Mantle (Delta, BC) – Bayside RFC
Brian Morrison (Sunken Lake, NS) – Valley Rugby Union
Cameron Jones (Whitby, ON) – Ajax Wanderers RC
Charles McCully (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans RFC
Charlie Blackwood (Tsawwassen, BC) – Bayside Sharks RFC
Christophe Côté (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats
Colby Pentecost (Minnedosa, MB) – Souris Sabres / Prairie Renegades
Cooper Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Georgian Bay Titans
Declan Anderson (Duncan, BC) – Cowichan RFC
Devin Hollands (Uxbridge, ON) – Oshawa Vikings
Duncan Gunn (Glenburnie, ON) – Kingston Panthers RFC
Easton Blackmer (High River, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC
Ewan Gardiner (Victoria, BC) – Cowichan RFC
Finley Lewis (Reading, ENG) – Barrhaven Scottish RFC
Fraser Lemanski (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC
Gabriel Regosa (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
Gabriel Rioux (Longueuil, QC) – Celtics Rive-Sud
Gabriel Williams (Quispamsis, NB) – Saint John Trojans RFC
Gavin Say (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC
Geart De Marez Oyens (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
George Hemings (London, ENG) – Bedford School
Grayson Bennet (Souris, MB) – Souris Sabres / Manitoba U16
Hans Waldner (Brandon, MB) – Brandon Barbarians RFC
Hayden Jones (Victoria, BC) – Unaffiliated
Indiana Abram (Tiny, ON) – Barrie RFC
Isaac Rainey (Chestermere, AB) – Vikings RFC
Jack MacAlister (Pemberton, BC) – Axemen Rugby Club
Jack Priestman (Brinston, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish RFC
Jackson Landon (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues
Jamie Dent (Bath, ENG) – Corsham Rugby
Jaren Alaimoana (Grande Prairie, AB) – Grande Prairie RFC
Jayce Kroes (Milton, ON) – Oakville Crusaders RFC
Joshua Williams (Duncan, BC) – Cowichan Rugby
Josiah Ashworth (Weybridge, ENG) – Weybridge Vandals RFC
Junoir Atalifo (Fort McMurray, AB) – Fort McMurray Knights
Keane Peters (Sherwood Park, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Keith Morrison (Wolfville, NS) – Valley Rugby Union
Kian Mullen (Sherwood Park, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Lennox Stewart (Belleville, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs
Levi Kanewske (West Vancouver, BC) Capilano RFC
Liam Monaghan (Belleville, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs
Liam Wood (Roslin, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs
Lucas Zondag (Goderich, ON) – Waterloo County RFC
Luke Waters (Whitby, ON) – Ajax Wanderers RFC
Malin Hazl (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
Mason Durant (Canning, NS) – Valley Rugby Union
Massimo Ruben (Shawnigan Lake, BC) – Salish Sea Warriors
Mickael Tissier (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders RFC
Nathan Murray (Victoria, BC) – Claremont Secondary School
Nolan Mahoney (Northampton, ENG) – Old Northamptonians RFC
Oscar Lennox-King (Whistler, BC) – Axemen Rugby Club
Oskar Benoit (North Vancouver, BC) – Meraloma RFC
Parker Wrathall (Tsawwassen, BC) – Bayside Sharks RFC
Philip Peroff (Kingston, ON) – Kingston Panthers RFC
Quinlan Bjorndal (Abbotsford, BC) – Robert Bateman Secondary School
Rhett Esler (Okotoks, AB) – Cowichan Piggies
Rogan Moir (Waterloo, ON) – Waterloo County Lions
Ryder Sim (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Ospreys RFC
Samuel Bayley (Duncan, BC) – Cowichan RFC
Samuel Cousineau (Pemberton, BC) – Axemen Rugby Club
Samuel Morreale (Stoney Creek, ON) – Burlington Centaurs RFC
Setrak Kalpakian (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
Stewart Davis (Pickering, ON) – Ajax Wanderers RFC
Thomas Cha (Souris, MB) – Souris Sabres / Manitoba U16
Thomas Dannhauser (Tsawwassen, BC) – Cowichan RFC
Thomas Gould (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
Thomas Steinke (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
Thymen Vanderploeg (Bayfield, ON) – Waterloo County Lions
Torin Brooks (Campbell River, BC) – Bytown Blues
Trace Barrack (Edmonton, AB) – Cowichan RFC
Trent Benedict (Thornhill, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
Tyler Cunningham (Streetsville, ON) – Mississauga Blues RFC
Vigo Kramer (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC
William Young (Surrey, BC) – Unaffiliated
Wyatt McKinnon (Athabasca, AB) – Clansmen RFC
Wyatt Rainham (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC