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John Moonlight vacation from the Canadian captaincy is over. The 29-year-old forward will wear the skipper’s armband for the first time since the Cape Town tournament in December as Canada prepare for the world’s most prestigious sevens tournament as the HSBC Sevens Series arrives in Hong Kong.
Head Coach Damian McGrath has made two enforced changes to his squad from the team that reached the Cup Quarter Finals in Vancouver. Phil Berna and Adam Zaruba are unavailable handing opportunities to youngster Josiah Morra and uncapped Jared Douglas, older brother of Series regular Justin. Douglas, a national u20 selection at flanker in 2012, is selected after impressing during the Vancouver Rugby Festival.
Also accompanying the team as a ’14th man’ for training purposes is Canadian Football League player Tevaughn Campbell. The 23-year-old speedster has no previous rugby experience but has been invited by McGrath to train with the side on the Asian leg with an eye to possibly making the switch in the future.
Canada are currently in 10th spot on the overall Series standings after six events, reaching the Cup knock-out rounds in three of the last four tournaments. They have been drawn in Pool B in Hong Kong, along with Kenya, France, and Series leaders South Africa. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
CANADA MEN’S 7s
Luke Bradley, Jared Douglas, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (capt.), Josiah Morra, Matt Mullins
POOL FIXTURES
Fri, Apr 7 – 20:18 local, 08:18 ET – vs Kenya
Sat, Apr 8 – 13:34 local, 01:34 ET – vs France
Sat, Apr 8 – 17:56 local, 05:56 ET – vs South Africa
