Luke Campbell followed Phil Mack from the Oak Bay High School Barbs to the University of Victoria Vikes, James Bay Athletic Association and now to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Mack, who also spent several years as Canada sevens captain, will play in his second World Cup and Campbell in his first as the 31-man Canadian rugby roster was announced Tuesday.
“It’s rare to play in one World Cup,” said the veteran Mack.
“To be selected to play in two is a true honour.”
To have Barbs and Vikes alumnus and JBAA clubmate Campbell join him in Japan makes it all the more special for Mack.
“I am so happy for Luke because he has battled injury after injury and stuck with it and has now been rewarded,” said Mack.
“It’s part of a good mix of youth and veterans that has been selected.”
The 33-year-old Mack is the undersized but dynamically cagey scrum-half with loads of experience. The six-foot-three, 240-pound Campbell, 27, plays on the back row.
“Hopefully, your hand goes up high enough that [Canadian head coach Kingsley Jones] notices,” said Campbell.
It did go up high enough and Jones did notice.
“It’s been a really tough selection but that’s what we wanted,” said the Canadian bench boss.
“The players made it difficult for us due to their commitment and efforts over the last 18 months.”
Canada’s 2019 World Cup opener is Sept. 26 against Italy in Fukuoka. That is followed by formidable pool games against the New Zealand All Blacks on Oct. 2 in Oita and the South Africa Springboks on Oct. 8 in Kobe. Canada closes pool play against Namibia on Oct. 13 at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in Iwate prefecture, of which Victoria’s sister city Morioka is the capital.
“It’s a tough group with two of the world’s best teams in New Zealand and South Africa,” said Mack.
“But there are a couple of winnable games for us [against Italy and Namibia]. It will come down to preparation and detail.”
Langford-based world No. 21 Canada has had a penchant for late losses the past couple of years, leaving the old but true adage to hang over this national side: Rugby is an 80-minute game.
“Small but critical things have haunted us,” said Mack.
“We have to focus on our core skills that will allow us to stay in the World Cup games as long possible to give ourselves a shot. I just want to go to Japan and put in my best performance.”
Tyler Ardron will reprise his role from 2015 as Canadian World Cup captain.
Notables also named to the World Cup squad are Glasgow pro DTH van der Merwe of Victoria and veteran Castaway Wanderers products Ciaran Hearn, Jake Ilnicki and Hubert Buydens.
“It’s always a challenge for coaches to find the right mix to be competitive as possible while also looking towards the future and ensuring we are in good position for 2023, and we feel we’ve achieved that,” said head coach Jones.
“Looking forward, there’s been a huge improvement and emphasis on development in the U-20 group and we saw the emergence of some really impressive young talent who will stay on our radar. We’re heading in the right direction not only for this World Cup but looking on to the next one.”
