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CBC
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Canada names 42-man camp roster ahead of July rugby tests in Edmonton
Canada rugby coach Stephen Meehan has called 42 players into camp in Edmonton ahead of July test matches against Belgium and Spain. Meehan, an Australian, was named coach in December, succeeding Kingsley Jones, who stepped down after seven years on the job. Meehan, who officially started in April, makes his coaching debut with the 24th-ranked Canadian men against No. 22 Belgium on July 12 and No. 17 Spain on July 18, with both games at Edmonton's Clarke Stadium. The final roster of 32 will be announced in early July "Players and staff alike are really eager to get on the pitch and get the season started, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with this squad in Edmonton," Meehan said in a statement. "This time together will be extremely valuable as we make our final selections for the July tests and build a strong foundation as we strive toward Rugby World Cup qualification later this year. "We have invited a mix of experienced players and new talent and are looking forward to seeing what they each bring to camp." After the July tests, the Canadians begin Pacific Nations Cup play Aug. 22 in Calgary against the 15th-ranked U.S. before facing No. 13 Japan on Aug. 30 in Sendai. The Pacific Nations Cup playoffs start Sept. 14 in Denver, with the finals set for Sept. 20 in Salt Lake City. The six-team tournament, which also includes No. 9 Fiji, No. 14 Samoa and No. 19 Tonga, represents Canada's first opportunity to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. The Canadian men missed out on the 2023 tournament for the first time. Meehan had previously named a 59-man long list, featuring 20 players who were uncapped in 15s. The new list features 12 of those uncapped players, including Jamie Armstrong, Morgan Di Nardo and Kyle Tremblay, who are capped in sevens play but not 15s. The squad includes seven members of the New England Free Jacks, who look to win a third-straight Major League Rugby title on Saturday when they take on the Houston SaberCats at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. The Free Jack players will then join the Canada camp. New England rallied to edge the Chicago Hounds 21-20 in the MLR Eastern Conference final on Saturday. Chicago's Lucas Rumball, Matt Owuru, Jason Higgins and brothers Mason and Noah Flesch all made the Canada camp roster. The Canada squad also includes Evan Olmstead, a 34-year-old forward who last played for Canada at the 2019 World Cup. The six-foot-five 247-pounder is currently playing for SU Agen in France's second tier. Olmstead was born in Canada but moved to Australia when he was three. There is also a place for Edmonton forward Kaden Duguid, the older brother of former Canadian international Tyler Duguid, who has switched international allegiance to France where he plays his club rugby. Tyler Duguid started for France 'A' in a 26-24 win over England 'A' on Saturday at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium. Uncles John and Luke Tait both represented Canada and played professionally in Europe. John Tait, formerly the Canadian women's sevens coach, is B.C. Rugby's technical director. Meehan will be assisted by defence coach Phil Mack and restart and breakdown coach Anthony Mathison. Canada Training Camp Roster (x denotes uncapped player, y- denotes capped in sevens but not 15s) Forwards Andrew Quattrin, Holland Landing, Ont., New England Free Jacks (MLR); x-Austin Creighton, Edmonton, James Bay AA; x-Caleb Ashworth, Crowborough, Harlequins FC (England); Calixto Martinez, White Rock, B.C., Old Glory DC (MLR); Callum Botchar, Vancouver, NOLA Gold (MLR); Cole Keith, Sussex N.B., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Dewald Kotze, Edmonton, Seattle Seawolves (MLR); Donald Carson, Tsawwassen, B.C., Britannia Lions; x-Emerson Prior, Brockville, Ont., Utah Warriors (MLR); Evan Olmstead, Vancouver, SU Agen (France); Foster Dewitt, Courtenay, B.C., New England Free Jacks (MLR); x-Griffin Phillipson, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, City of Armagh RFC (Northern Ireland); Izzak Kelly, White Rock, B.C., Capilano RFC; James Stockwood, Bowmanville, Ont., Oshawa Vikings; x-Jeffrey Young, Toronto, Toronto Nomads; Kaden Duguid, Edmonton, NOLA Gold (MLR); x-Karl Hunger, Beaconsfield, Que., Pacific Pride; Kyle Steeves, Winnipeg, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Lucas Rumball, Toronto, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Mason Flesch, Cobourg, Ont., Chicago Hounds (MLR); Matt Heaton, Godmanchester, Que., RFC LA (MLR); Matthew Oworu, Calgary, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Piers Von Dadelszen, Vancouver, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Sion Parry, Cardiff, Wales, Ebbw Vale RFC (Wales); Tyler Matchem, Pictou County, N.S., NOLA Gold (MLR). Backs Ben LeSage, Calgary, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Brock Gallagher, Edmonton, Seattle Seawolves (MLR); Cooper Coats, Halifax, NOLA Gold (MLR); y-Ethan Turner, Maple Ridge, B.C., Kalinga Black Tigers (India); Isaac Olson, Vernon, B.C., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Jamie Armstrong, Ottawa, University of Ottawa; Jason Higgins, Cork, Ireland, Chicago Hounds (MLR); x-Josh McIndoe, Victoria, Greerton Marist Rugby Club (New Zealand); y-Kyle Tremblay, White Rock, B.C., Pacific Pride; Luke Toroca, Nadi, Fiji, Langley Rugby Club; x-Maddox MacLean, Brisbane, Australia, Souths Rugby Club Brisbane (Australia); y-Morgan Di Nardo, Toronto, University of Victoria; Nic Benn, Caves Beach, Australia, Utah Warriors (MLR); Noah Flesch, Cobourg, Ont., Chicago Hounds (MLR); Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Dungannon RFC (Northern Ireland) x-Stephen Webb, Toronto, UBC; Talon McMullin, White Rock, B.C., UBC. Head Coach: Stephen Meehan.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Who pressed their case in the play-offs
Josh Fusitu'a, Ruben Love, George Bower, Beauden Barrett. Photo: PHOTOSPORT All Blacks squad announcement 23 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis - We're only two and a half weeks away from the naming of the first All Black squad of the year, so time is running short for those players on the fringes. The die is now cast for anyone in that category from the Hurricanes, as they were knocked out of the play-offs, but still there was enough in this weekend to give Scott Robertson a bit to ponder before we head to Taranaki to learn who will be taking on France in three tests in July. George Bell scores the winner against the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Evans/ActionPress One of the more intriguing 'remember me' performances. Bell had completely dropped off the radar due to injury and the very good form of Ioane Moananu in his place at the Crusaders. However, two very good weeks in a row - including scoring the winning try against the Brumbies - is a reminder that while Bell's call up last year was a surprise, he will most likely be still in Robertson's thinking for this season. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter Another player to not only come off the bench for the Crusaders but also be part of an incredibly dominant scrum that never even let the Reds get a sniff in Christchurch. Bower hasn't played test rugby since late 2022, leading many to speculate a switch of national allegiance to Fiji, but with this sort of scrummaging form, he may well find himself back in black. His Crusaders connection to Robertson certainly won't hurt either, if experience is needed in an emergency. Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Given that the squad naming is taking place at the Barrett family's home club, it's a pretty safe bet all three brothers will be named on 23 June. However, while Scott is obviously starting as captain, there is a slight question mark over what role Jordie and Beauden will initially play in the match day squad. On the evidence of his performance against the Chiefs, it will be a very tough call to leave Beauden out of the starting 10 jersey, given that his tactical kicking in a test-match intensity was the difference between the Blues' advancing to the semi-finals or having their season end then and there. Joshua Fusitu'a. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress Another prop who played an important set piece role was Fusitu'a, whose momentum lately has included winning the Blues player of the year award. Every set piece in the Blues' victory over the Chiefs was crucial, as it gave the opportunity to garner penalties that Barrett either kicked for goal or converted into large territorial gains. At 24, Fusitu'a has a long career ahead of him, however a call up now would give him ample time to work his way up the propping rotation at a managed pace. Ruben Love. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress We all know how good Love's all round game is, especially since his shift to first five this season was a major part in the Hurricanes finally getting their act together. Even though he moved back to fullback to accommodate the returning Brett Cameron, Love was still entrusted with the goal kicking, which he's handled superbly. The All Blacks are blessed with a number of test match quality kickers, but this particular skillset is one that gives Love just that much more of an advantage as a utility player. Daniel Rona. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress While this would fall into the bolter category, a call up for Rona would be justified on his incredibly consistent form this season. Most of the chat has been around a recall for his midfield partner Quinn Tupaea, but Rona's performance in a losing effort against the Blues was the Chiefs' best. There is a lot of traffic jostling to get into the midfield selections, so this may be more of being added to the official depth chart rather than a direct selection in June.
