Captain Phil Berna and vice-captain Jake Thiel are returning from injury to bolster Canada’s squad for the HSBC Spain Sevens in Malaga, but coach Henry Paul still has a long list of absentee players.
Rugby Canada says Brennig Prevost, Brock Webster, Giovani Douyon, Jarvis Dashkewytch, Lachlan Kratz, Pat kay, David Richard, Isaac Olson and Lucas are unavailable through injury or illness.
Andrew Coe is with his MLR team, Rugby United New York, while Cody Nhanala and D’Shawn Bowen are with the Pacific Pride Developmental Squad.
The Canadian Men’s Open will play Friday in a group with France, Kenya and Wales.
“Our entire team is happy and grateful to be able to continue competing on the Sevens circuit, given the current circumstances everyone is facing,” Paul said in a statement. “We are pleased to be back in Action with new and familiar faces as we continue to develop young talent and welcome a few players back from commitments. Each player is able to present his skills on the international stage.”
Berna missed the opening of two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series events in Dubai in after November and early December by posting. Thiel was injured in Dubai, where the Canadians took 11th and 12th places.
Sion Griffiths and Noah Bain made their World Series debuts for Canada in Spain. Anton Ngongo, Matt Oworu and Alex Russell competed at the HSBC Canada Sevens last year, but have yet to play at international level.
The Malaga event, which runs through Sunday, is the first of two in Spain, with teams that will then travel to Seville to play Jan. 28-30.
Building the recent times is not found several teams,
New Zealand men and women cannot travel to Spain and are replaced by Germany and Belgium respectively. Samoa also missed out and were replaced by Jamaica in Pool C.
World Rugby says Fijians will also miss Malaga, while Fijians will be able to play after in the competition. The opponents in their respective group matches will receive three match points for a “bye” Match and a score of 0-0 will be awarded for these matches.
Fiji is expected to be Pool B alongside Canada, Poland and the United States.
Veteran Karen Paquin returns to the Sevens squad after some time in the 15s squad and will be called up to the Barbarians Invitational all-Star team in November. Breanne Nicholas captains a Canadian team with Chloe Daniels, 18, and Florence Symonds, 19.
The Canadian women took eighth place at both events in Dubai,
“We had a unique preparation camp in Spain, which was a great way to get ready for the tournament and get the necessary training,” Interim coach Jack Hanratty said in a statement. “We have been able to see new combinations in Dubai, and we are pleased that some of these combinations will continue to grow while expanding our depth map as the program heads into a business and challenging summer.”
According to Rugby Canada, Keyara Wardley, Julia Greenshields and Charity Williams are unavailable due to injury.
Canada Listings
Daman
Theo Sauder, Vancouver, Vancouver Rowing Club; Jake Thiel, Abbotsford, BC, Abbotsford RFC; Nick Allen, North Vancouver, Capilano RFC; Phil Berna, Vancouver, UBC Thunderbirds; Alex Russell, Chinchester, England, McGill University; Josiah Morra, Toronto, Toronto Saracens; Anton Ngongo, Victoria, Okanagan RFC; Cooper coats, Halifax, Halifax Tars RFC; Sion Griffiths, Mill Bay, BC, Cowichan RFC; Noah bain, Abbotsford, BC, UVic Vikes; Elias Ergas, Vancouver, UBC Thunderbirds; Thomas Isherwood, Okotoks, Alta., Foothills Lions RFC; Matthew Oworu, Calgary, Rugby Canada Development Academy Pacific Pride.
Woman
Olivia de Couvreur, Ottawa, Ottawa Irish; Alysha Corrigan, Charlettetown, CFRC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., University of Ottawa/ University of Victoria; Breanne Nicholas, Blenheim, Ont. London, From St. George; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Emma Chown, Barrie, ont. Sabrina Poulin, St. George of Beauce, That. In the following years, the number of new additions increased significantly., Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC; Karen Paquin,Quebec City, Quebec., Quebec Rugby Club / Stade Bordelais; Elissa Alarie, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Westshore RFC / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Trois-Rivières Braves; Chloe Daniels, Sutton, Ont., RC Académie des souffleurs D’érable / Queen’s University; Florence Symonds, Vancouver, University of British Columbia.
