Canada v USA RWCQ - 2021

Canada Announce 30 Player Squad for Two Test Series Against USA

As expected from previous reports, many of the pros are not available for this series. That includes Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, Tyler Duguid and Will Percillier. The reasons why are open to speculation, the importance of maintaining a pro contract, possible displeasure with Rugby Canada and the coaching staff, COVID related protocols, etc. Regardless they’re not available for this series so a chance for domestic players to step up.

Also missing is DTH who hasn’t decided to come out of international retirement yet, despite being selected for the MLR all-star team. Both Larsens, Josh and Travis are missing. Fraser Hurst didn’t get selected, neither did Doug Fraser.

That leaves the following roster options:

Front Row
Djustice Sears-Duru (Cole Keith)
Andrew Quattrin (Eric Howard, Foster Dewitt)
Jake Ilnicki (Matt Tearney, Tyler Rowland)

Second Row
Conor Keys (Corey Thomas)
Kyle Baillie

Loose Forwards
Lucas Rumball (Mason Flesch)
Matt Heaton (Michael Smith)
Siaki Vikilani

Halfbacks
Ross Braude (Jason Higgins)
Peter Nelson (Will Kelly, Brock Webster)

Centres
Quinn Ngawati (Spencer Jones)
Ben LeSage (Lockie Kratz)

Wings
Kainoa Lloyd
Cole Davis

Fullback
Pat Parfrey (Cooper Coats, Rob Povey)

Several of the players are options at more than one position. Brock Webster, from the 7s program could show up in a number of positions if selected. His 7s teammate did well slotting into fullback in the UK series.

The team looks a little light in the second row, the engine room. It will be interesting to see how the set pieces stack up against the Americans, as well as the maul defence which has been a problem in recent matchups. How will Rumball and Heaton be utilized, both play openside, will Rumball be moved to blindside?

The kickoff is 10:30am PT on Saturday, the match day 23 should be announced by Friday. Live stream is available at https://www.premiersports.tv/ for $14.95 USD (about $19 CAD, includes both matches).

from Rugby Canada

August 30, 2021 (St. Johns, NL) Head coach Kingsley Jones has named the 30-man squad that will face off against the USA in their upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualification Pathway matches. The matches will be shown live in Canada through Premier Sports.

The winner of the two-match North American series is determined by an aggregate score across both games. The winner will move on to face Uruguay on October 2 and 9, with the victor of this series qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2023 as Americas #1. The loser of the two-match North American series will move on to face Chile on October 2 and 9.

Jones said, We have been working tirelessly to ensure that our team is as prepared as we can be for these upcoming matches against the States. As we know, coordinating the logistics of assembling players in a COVID-world is no easy task and our entire group is thankful to our staff and hosts in St. Johns for their support and excited to be able to compete on home soil in these critical Rugby World Cup qualification matches.

Canadas Mens Rugby Team has been training in St. Johns, Newfoundland ahead of their upcoming qualification matches versus USA.

Jones added, The St. Johns community has provided an excellent environment for our players to continue preparations for our upcoming Fall matches against the USA, as we continue to work towards our long-term goal of World Cup qualification.

The first match, powered by DHL Rugby, kicks off at 3pm local time (1:30pm ET/10:30pm [RC error it’s am] PT) on September 4 at Swilers Rugby Club in St. Johns, NL. Limited tickets remain and can be purchased by visiting www.mileonecentre.com. The return match will be hosted in Glendale, CO on September 11 with kick-off at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

CANADAS MENS RUGBY TEAMS ROSTER:

Kyle Bailie – Summerside, PEI – Nola Gold
Ross Braude – Pretoria, SA – Toronto Arrows
Cooper Coats – Halifax, NS – Canada Rugby 7’s
Cole Davis – Calgary, AB – Austin Gilgronis
Foster Dewitt – Courtney, BC – Pacific Pride
Mason Flesch – Cobourg, ON – Toronto Arrows
Matt Heaton – Godmanchester, QC – Rugby ATL
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 – Apohaqui, NB – Toronto Arrows
Will Kelly – Ancaster, ON – Toronto Arrows
Conor Keys – Stittsvile, ON – Rugby ATL
Lachlan Kratz – Victoria, BC – Nola Gold
Ben Lesage – Calgary, AB – Toronto Arrows
Kainoa Lloyd – Mississauga, ON – James Bay AA
Peter Nelson – Dungannon, UK – Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
Quinn Ngawati – Victoria, BC – Rugby United NY
Patrick Parfrey – St. John’s, NL – Toronto Arrows/Swilers RFC
Rob Povey – Long Buckby, UK – Houston Sabercats
Andrew Quattrin – Holland Landing, ON – Toronto Arrows
Tyler Rowland – Mississauga, ON – Toronto Arrows
Lucas Rumball – Markham, ON – Toronto Arrows
Djustice Sears-Duru – Edmonton, AB – Seattle Seawolves
Michael Smith – White Rock, BC – San Diego Legion
Corey Thomas – Perth, Western AUS – LA Giltinis
Matt Tierney – Oakville, ON – Castres Olympique
Siaki Vikilani – Burnaby, BC – Toronto Arrows
Brock Webster – Uxbridge, ON – Canada Rugby 7’s

*USA Name 31 Players for World Cup Qualification Matches vs Canada: Canada Announcement Coming Tuesday*

posted Aug 22 2021

The USA have named their 31 player pool for the World Cup qualifying matches against Canada. The first match is in St. John’s on September 4th, followed by the match in Glendale the following weekend.

Canada will release their player pool for the qualifying matches on Tuesday. The release date for overseas pros is August 29th.

Captaining the USA side is their #10 AJ MacGinty. It may be one area they feel they have an advantage over Canada. The USA have two uncapped players named in the group of 31. There are 6 European pros listed, 23 players from MLR, 1 unattached and 1 from the sevens program.

More to be added to this story on Tuesday when Canada names its players.

from USA Rugby

Head coach Gary Gold has selected 31-players for the opening stage of Rugby World Cup qualification against rivals-Canada.

The first match takes place on Sept 4 (KO 3 PM NT) in St. Johns, NL with the second on Sept 11 (KO 7 PM MT) at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. Broadcast info will be confirmed closer to date. Tickets for the Glendale match are available at www.usa.rugby/tickets.

A total of 24 players will return from the Eagles July tests against England (L 29-43) and Ireland (L 10-71) with Flyhalf AJ MacGinty returning as Captain. MacGinty recently healed from an injury that forced him to miss the aforementioned summer fixtures.

Additional roster highlights include:

– Ryan Matyas who last featured in 2018 against Romania
– Nate Augspurger, Dylan Fawsitt and Chance Wenglewski who last featured at Rugby World Cup 2019
– Luke Carty and Christian Dyer return after promising performances in July
– Benjamin Bonasso and Moni Tongauiha could earn their first cap
– Will Hooley remains out to continue rehab from injury
– Assistant Coach Shawn Pittman is back with the squad after being named MLR Head Coach of the Year with Utah Warriors

Head Coach Gary Gold said:

Were looking forward to picking up where we left off in July with the bulk of our players from that group and some returning faces to compliment the squad. Obviously, were all excited to have AJ back and to see him lead the team as Captain. Bryce did an excellent job as Captain against England and Ireland, as well, so having them both to guide this group will be a huge benefit.

Canada has certainly improved as a team, they are a well-coached and formidable opponent that we need to respect. It is extremely important for us to be efficient and effective in our training so we can execute effectively, gain success on the field and hopefully progress. Overall, Im excited to get this group back together and hit the ground running.

Mens XVs National Team Roster

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS

David Ainuu Prop Toulouse 11
Nate Augspurger Scrumhalf / Wing San Diego Legion 26
Michael Baska Scrumhalf Utah Warriors 2
Benjamin Bonasso Back Row Rugby United New York Uncapped
Marcel Brache Center / Fullback Unattached 24
Nate Brakeley Lock Rugby United New York 25
Bryce Campbell Center Austin Gilgronis 34
Luke Carty Flyhalf / Center LA Giltinis 2
Nick Civetta Lock Rugby United New York 28
Ruben de Haas Scrumhalf Saracens (ENG) 19
Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 53
Christian Dyer Wing USA Sevens 2
Jamason Faanana-Schultz Flanker / No. 8 Old Glory DC 3
Dylan Fawsitt Hooker Rugby United New York 15
Hanco Germishuys Flanker Rugby United New York 23
Andrew Guerra Flanker NOLA Gold 1
Matt Harmon Prop NOLA Gold 2
Ryan James Wing LA Giltinis uncapped
Mika Kruse Wing / Center Utah Warriors 2
AJ MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks (ENG) 28
Will Magie Fullback Austin Gilgronis 27
Siaosi Mahoni Lock San Diego Legion 2
Ryan Matyas Wing / Center San Diego Legion 12
Paul Mullen Prop Utah Warriors 20
Gregory Peterson Lock Newcastle Falcons 32
Kapeliele Pifeleti Hooker Saracens (ENG) 4
Mikey Sosene-Feagai Hooker Old Glory DC 6
Joe Taufetee Prop Lyon (FRA) 29
Tesimoni Tongauiha Flanker NOLA Gold uncapped
Dino Waldren Prop NOLA Gold 21
Chance Wenglewski Prop Rugby ATL 6

Mens XVs National Team Fall Schedule
Broadcast details are TBA

September 4, 2021
vs Canada
KO 3 PM NT
Swilers Rugby Club, St Johns, Newfoundland

September 11, 2021
vs Canada
KO 7 PM MT
Infinity Park, Glendale, CO

October 2, 2021
vs South America TBC
KO 6 PM MT
Infinity Park, Glendale, CO

October 11, 2021
vs South America TBC
Time and location TBC

October 23, 2021
vs All Blacks
KO 3 PM ET
FedEx Field, Washington, D.C.

October 30, 2021
vs Ireland
KO To be Confirmed
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

The Americas Qualification Process
Round 1 USA vs Canada

USA at Canada | September 4
Canada at USA | September 11

Winner on net points is North America 1

Loser on net points is North America 2

Round 2 North America vs South America

Uruguay (South America 1) at North America 1 | October 2
North America 1 at Uruguay | October 9

Winner on net points earns automatic qualification in RWC 2023 as Americas 1

The loser on net points plays the winner of below for Americas 2

Chile (South America 2) at North America 2 | October 2
North America 2 at Chile | October 9

Winner on net points stays in qualification process and plays loser of North America 1 & Uruguay series for Americas 2

Round 3 TBD in 2022

Loser of Uruguay v North America 1 series plays the winner of Chile v North America 2

Winner of this net points series qualifies automatically for RWC 23 as Americas 2

The loser of Round 3 still has one last opportunity to qualify for the RWC by representing the Americas in the Repechage tournament.

Note: Argentina automatically qualified for the 2023 RWC based on their performance in the 2019 RWC