Canadian men’s rugby head coach Kingsley Jones of Sooke has set a wide net for fry he hopes will develop and grow over the next four years.
While the top 20 national teams prepare for the 2023 World Cup this fall in France, the Canadian squad will miss out on the World Cup for the first time in its history, and must focus on rebounding and qualifying for 2027 in Australia.
Langford-based Rugby Canada announced its roster for Tests against host Tonga at Teufaiva Stadium in the South Pacific on Aug. 10 and Aug. 15. It will be a good gauge for the young Canadians to measure themselves against a Tongan side headed to the 2023 World Cup.
“The Tonga tour is an opportunity for us to play two tough Test matches and get a look at some new faces with a group of players who are very committed to the sport and to furthering their rugby careers,” Jones said.
The Canada roster includes Foster Dewitt of Courtenay, Travis Larsen of Parksville, Ciaran Breen of Victoria, Gradyn Bowd of the Castaway Wanderers of Oak Bay, Gabe Casey of the University of Victoria Vikes, Callum Botchar, Matthew Klimchuk, Tyler Wong, D’Shawn Bowen and Mason Flesch of Langford-based Pacific Pride and Zephyr Melnyk of Pacific Pride and Nanaimo Hornets.
The co-captains are veterans Lucas Rumball and Ben LeSage. Five players will be looking for their first caps, including Breen, Wong and Melnyk.
Jones noted the importance of Major League Rugby in providing a home, in a professional North American league, for 23 of the 32 players selected.
“Building up to the selection of this roster, we’ve been pleased to see the number of Canadians embedded in professional daily training environments such as the MLR, and playing domestic rugby in New Zealand and Australia such as Izzak Kelly and Callum Botchar,” said Jones.
Also of note are the six players out of the Under-23 developmental side Pacific Pride, which was established for just that purpose at Starlight Stadium.
PACIFIC SERIES: The Canadian women’s roster was announced for the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series games at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on Saturday against defending World Cup-champion New Zealand and July 14 against Australia. Sophie De Goede of Victoria, who was among the five finalists for World Rugby 2022 female player of the year, will captain 2022 World Cup semifinalist Canada.
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