Canada Names Men’s Team for Hong Kong 7s
The men have 4 tournaments left, but only 3 for Canada to get out of the relegation zone. Canada are currently in 14th place with 20 points. At the London tournament teams placed 12-14 will battle it out with a fourth team added to remain in the series. The 15th placed team, currently Japan at 10 points, will be automatically relegated. Unless Canada can make the Cup round in a couple of the upcoming tournaments, it’s looking like they’ll be in the four team relegation tournament in London. They have to make up a 14 point gap on Uruguay who currently occupy 11th spot. Also chasing are Spain in 12th and Kenya in 13th.
To make matters worse it’s looking like USA will be in the RAN (Rugby Americas North) Olympic qualifying tournament unless they can close the 13 point gap on Fiji and Australia who currently share 3rd and 4th in the standings, and the final automatic Olympic qualification spots.
Canada have to look at all the talent they can muster to prepare for that possible relegation tournament, and hopefully find a diamond or two who will elevate the team. Gone are Matt Percillier and Jack Carson, back to their university studies at UBC. They helped Canada put in some top performances, defeating Australia at the Vancouver 7s was a highlight. The team needs to find some consistency, losing that first match to Ireland by 30 was what eventually prevented them from getting to the Cup round on point differential.
Coming into the team is Max Stewart, the #10 from the Pacific Pride, for his first potential cap. Matt Percillier’s brother, Will, is on loan from his PRO D2 team Vannes. Vannes are four deep in scrum-halves and Percillier hasn’t been getting a lot of playing time. He could be the type of player to give the team a boost as did his brother. David Richard returns from injury as does Brennig Prevost. Anton Ngongo also returns to the side. Elias Ergas is out as are Jake and Josh Thiel.
Canada are in a pool with Argentina, Fiji and Samoa, only the top 2 in each pool go to the Cup round.
from Rugby Canada
Canadas Mens Sevens Team for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the eighth mens tournament in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, has been named by interim Head Coach Sean White.
The team will face Argentina, Fiji and Samoa in Pool A over March 31 to April 2 at Hong Kong Stadium. Canadas Mens Sevens Team will then compete at Singapore Sevens the following weekend, April 8 to 9.
Making his debut is the Pacific Prides Max Stewart, who had a strong showing at the Los Angeles Invitational Sevens tournament in February on a roster of Western Canadas next generation players.
Will Percillier, who earned his first cap for Canadas Mens Rugby Team in 2019, will also make his World Rugby Sevens Series debut, and has been added to the roster on a loan from his French Pro D2 club, Rugby Club Vannes.
Returning from injury are David Richard, who last played in Decembers Dubai Sevens, and Brennig Prevost, who suffered a long term injury last year and will appear in his first tournament of the 2023 season in Hong Kong.
At Canada Sevens our aim was to build from our performances in LA. At moments we accomplished this, and other times our execution let us down, said interim Head Coach Sean White. Weve had a very productive training block over the last few weeks that continued our focus on our skill execution under pressure as well as continuing to build the aggression in our defence. The players know the challenges ahead and as a group our sights are set only as far as the next game in front of us.
Canada opens pool play against Argentina on Friday March 31 at 12:52 a.m. PT / 3:52 a.m. ET, followed by Fiji on Friday March 31 at 8:52 p.m. PT / 11:52 p.m. ET and Samoa on Saturday April 1 at 1:13 a.m. PT / 4:13 a.m. ET.
SCHEDULE / COVERAGE
For the most up to date information on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and live coverage, visit the official website world.rugby/sevens-series. There you will find details regarding the event format, schedule, and the latest news.
WHERE TO WATCH
Broadcast coverage of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will be available in Canada via CBC. All events are available to live stream via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.
CANADAS MENS SEVENS ROSTER
1. Anton Ngongo (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers
4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
10. Brennig Prevost (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) Mississauga Blues RFC
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) Pacific Pride
21. Max Stewart (Cape Town, RSA) Pacific Pride
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) Foothills Lions RFC
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) Castaway Wanderers / NOLA Gold
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) Bytown Blues
77. Will Percillier (Bordeaux, FRA) Rugby Club Vannes