Canada Men’s Sevens Team’s head coach Liam Middletown selected his squad for this weekend’s crucial NACRA Sevens Olympic qualifying tournament.
Middletown named a 14-man squad for the tournament, where the winners automatically qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
After training with the squad over the course of the last week, Ospreys duo Jeff Hassler and Tyler Ardron are selected, as is Agen winger Taylor Paris.
There is also a return to the squad for Phil Mack after a long injury layoff.
“Tyler, Jeff and Taylor join us from the club season in Europe, all of them have played sevens for Canada previously and they bring different elements to our game,” Middleton said. “We also see the return of Phil, who adds a lot of playmaking ability to our side.”
The team is captained by John Moonlight, while Connor Braid, Mike Fuailefau, Adam Zaruba, Harry Jones, Nathan Hirayama, Conor Trainor and Sean Duke all keep their places after appearing in the London Sevens, the final event of the 2014-15 HSBC men’s Sevens series.
Justin Douglas is recalled to the lineup, as is Ciaran Hearn, both of whom had missed recent tournaments due to injury. However, there is no place for Pat Kay, Sean White, Admir Cejvanovic of Burnaby or Matt Evans, who all appeared in London.
Canada was drawn into Pool B where they will face Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.
“There is a positive and confident vibe in the group, competition for places has been intense and everyone is focused on getting the right result,” Middleton said. “There is no change in our preparation.
“We are as detailed and meticulous as we would be for a World Series event, however there is an added level of determination and focus to achieve this big result.”
Canada is coming off of a ninth-place finish in the 2014-15 HSBC Men’s Sevens Series, however, the team reached the cup quarter-finals in four of the last five events, including a semifinal appearance at the Tokyo Sevens after Canada knocked off New Zealand in the quarters.
“We will focus on doing what we are good at and what we have done well in games so far this year,” Middleton said. “We know what we need to do to win and it’s about executing that.”
The entire tournament will be streamed at www.usarugby.org!
Canada’s Roster for NACRA Sevens - (Club), Hometown, Province
Tyler Ardron – (Ospreys) Lakefield, Ont.
Connor Braid - (London Scottish/BC Bears) Victoria
Justin Douglas - (Abbotsford RFC/BC Bears) Abbotsford
Sean Duke - (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver
Mike Fuailefau - (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria
Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Calgary, Alta.
Ciaran Hearn - (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, Nfld.
Nathan Hirayama - (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver
Harry Jones - (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) North Vancouver
Phil Mack - (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria
John Moonlight - Captain (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, Ont.
Taylor Paris – (Agen) Barrie, Ont.
Conor Trainor - (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver
Adam Zaruba - (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver
