The Langford-based Canadian men’s and women’s teams open today at the sevens World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, with the death of Queen Elizabeth hanging over the occasion.
World Rugby acknowledged that many of its power nations are in the Commonwealth: “World Rugby joins the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and all those around the globe in mourning the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.
“Her Majesty was a much-loved visionary monarch who cared deeply about all people under her reign and was an avid supporter of sport and its power to unite communities.”
Beaumont noted the Queen presented the trophy in the 1991 and 1999 World Cups and was patron of the RFU and “will always have a special connection with our sport [and] will be greatly missed.”
The Canadian men, meanwhile, open the World Cup sevens against Zimbabwe today with the winner advancing to the Round of 16 in the knockout format. The loser goes to the consolation side. The Canadian women open the World Cup against China in the Round of 16 today with the winner advancing in the championship side and the loser going to the consolation round.
Four Victoria players — Anton Ngongo, Ciaran Breen, Lachlan Kratz and Jake Thiel — headline the Canadian men’s team.
“The key is sticking to the game plan, trusting each other and being proud to represent the Maple Leaf at the highest level,” said Kratz, a graduate of Oak Bay Secondary.
The other Canadian men’s players are Olympians and co-captains Thiel and Phil Berna, along with Thomas Isherwood, Alex Russell, Josiah Morra, Brock Webster, Elias Ergas and Langford Pacific Pride U-23 development team players Matthew Oworu and D’Shawn Bowen.
The Canadian men’s team is rebuilding after the retirement of veterans Connor Braid of Victoria, former UVic Vikes star Nathan Hirayama and Harry Jones following their quarter-final appearance in the Tokyo Olympics last summer.
“It’s a passing of the torch,” said Claremont Secondary grad Ngongo.
The emerging Canadian women’s team roster is highlighted by veteran Bianca Farella, 30, the sole remaining player from the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze-medallist team.
“This is a new generation for Paris 2024 [Olympic Games] and I have confidence in it. Our whole vibe is confidence. That’s why I’m still here,” Farella said.
Also on the Canadian team, which has had promising recent results in the World Series circuit and Birmingham Commonwealth Games, are Krissy Scurfield of the University of Victoria Vikes and UVic Vikes graduates Pamphinette Buisa andNakisa Levale, along with Fancy Bermudez of Westshore RFC. The co-captains are Breanne Nicholas and Olivia Apps. Rounding out the roster are Florence Symonds, Emma Chown, Chloe Daniels, Piper Logan, Keyara Yardley and Olivia De Couvreur.
“I can’t wait for the next eight years,” Canada head coach Jack Hanratty said, of his youthful side.
The 2022 sevens World Cup includes the top-24 ranked men’s national sides and top-16 women’s teams and runs through Sunday in Cape Town.
