Canada names 13-man sevens roster for World Rugby Challenger Series
The Canadian men’s rugby sevens team is gearing up for a chance to reclaim their spot in the elite HSBC SVNS series. Led by veterans Alex Russell, Thomas Isherwood, Kal Sager, and Elias Hancock, the team is focused on finishing in the top four in the upcoming HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
After being relegated from the top tier last June, the Canadian men are determined to earn a spot in the promotion/relegation tournament in Carson, Calif. The tournament will feature the top four teams from the Challenger Series and the bottom four from the HSBC SVNS, competing for four spots in next season’s HSBC SVNS field.
Head coach Sean White has selected a squad of 13 players for the first two legs of the Challenger Series. The team will compete in Cape Town, South Africa for the opening rounds on March 1-2 and March 7-8. The top eight teams will then advance to the Challenger Series finale in Krakow, Poland in April.
All 13 players on the roster recently participated in a men’s invitational tournament at B.C. Place Stadium, showcasing their skills against teams like Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. Standout performances from Ethan Hager and Jamie Armstrong, who each scored four tries, have added to the team’s confidence heading into the Challenger Series.
White expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance in Vancouver, emphasizing the importance of building cohesion and fine-tuning processes both on and off the field. The coach also highlighted the difficult selection process, indicating the depth of talent within the squad.
Among the players on the roster, Ethan Turner, Noah Bain, and Brenden Black bring experience from clubs and universities across Canada and the United States. Debutants Morgan Di Nardo, Kyle Tremblay, and Johnny Franklin have also shown promise in recent international competitions.
In the upcoming Cape Town event, Canada will face tough competition from Madagascar and Hong Kong in Pool D. The team is focused on executing their game plan and securing victories to advance in the Challenger Series.
The Canadian roster includes a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, all eager to prove themselves on the international stage. With a blend of experience and potential, the team is poised to make a strong push for a return to the elite HSBC SVNS series.
