VICTORIA
– Rugby Canada announced a traveling roster of 12 players for the upcoming 2011
Sevens World Series and eight of those players have played for the BC Bears,
the province’s senior men’s team.
Canadian Sevens Head Coach Geraint John made the selections for the Wellington
Sevens and Las Vegas Sevens after putting players through a grueling three day
camp that included fitness testing, skills assessment and trial matches in
snowy conditions.
For the first time in several seasons all members selected have previously been
on the Sevens squad, so there will be no new caps on this particular tour. That
being said, after an exciting 2010 saw a group of new faces, this will be a
year to really start molding the team as the long term prospects of Sevens at
the Olympics begin to shape the program.
Series regulars include Adam Kleeberger, Neil Meechan, Ciaran Hearn, Sean
Duke and Nathan Hirayama, who will participate in his fourth Wellington
tournament. Second year men are Thyssen de Goede, John Moonlight, Conor
Trainor, Taylor Paris, Chauncey O'Toole, and Keaton Styles.
"The camp helped in selection – where players showed great intensity,
hunger and enthusiasm and players put themselves into contention," said
John from Victoria, BC.
The steadfast leadership of Victoria's Phil Mack will be missed as injury takes
him out of consideration through the first two events.
Canada takes on South Africa, Fiji and France in a tough tournament draw in New
Zealand on February 4th. Then the series returns to Las Vegas for a second
straight year, but the pools for that event, which begins February 12th, have
not been drawn but are expected shortly.
John has one more spot to be confirmed for the New Zealand leg of the tour but
will have the height and pace of Justin Mensah Coker for the USA Sevens event,
as the Vancouver native had work commitments prevent him from attending both.
Player/CRC Team/Club
1. Thyssen de Goede (BC Bears/ James Bay AA)
2. Neil Meechan (BC Bears/ James Bay AA)
3. John Moonlight (Ontario Blues/ James Bay AA)
4. Conor Trainor (BC Bears/ Western Mustangs)
5. Chauncey O’Toole (The Rock/ Castaway Wanderers)
6. Taylor Paris (Ontario Blues/ Northampton)
7. Adam Kleeberger (BC Bears/ UVic Vikes)
8. Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears/ UVic Vikes)
9. Sean Duke (BC Bears/ UVic Vikes)
10. Ciaran Hearn (The Rock/ Castaway Wanderers)
11. Keaton Styles (BC Bears/ UVic Vikes)
12. Justin Mensah-Coker (Meralomas)
Coach: Geraint John
Assistant Coach: Quentin Fyffe
Manager: Brent Johntson
Therapist: Carla Brash
