Canada names teams for RAN 7s

Two very different sides will be representing Canada at the Rugby Americas North 7s this coming weekend. Originally planned to be development sides under the ‘Maple Leafs’ banner, the men will instead send a effectively first choice side to compete at the tournament in Trinidad & Tobago. Meanwhile the women are sticking to the script by sending a young side with only two players boasting previous HSBC Sevens Series experience.

Veteran captain John Moonlight will lead the men who feature a number of returning players such as star playmaker Nathan Hirayama and the versatile Harry Jones. New names include national u20 graduate Karsten Leitner, Collegiate All-American selection Andrew Battaglia, and Quebec speedster Caleb Jordan. One player will be left out with 13 named on the travel roster.

New head coach Damian McGrath will take charge of the side for the first time since being named as Liam Middleton’s replacement just one month ago. The men are in Pool A of the tournament along with Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands, with three rounds of finals to take place on Day 2.

Breanne Nicholas will act as skipper for the women as one of only two players with senior experience, the other 18-year-old Caroline Crossley. Canada Universities forward Pam Buisa is among the 10 uncapped players in the side, as are Queen’s University flyer Emma Chown and 17-year-old Ontario junior standout Olivia Apps.

Handling the coaching duties for the tournament is senior women’s assistant Sandro Fiorino. The women will play four matches in the pool stages, facing off against Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos on Day 1, with an early morning match against Jamaica on Day 2. Two rounds of finals will played to conclude the weekend.

All matches will be streamed live by Rugby Americas North.

CANADA MEN’S 7s
Andrew Battaglia, Phil Berna, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Caleb Jordan, Pat Kay, Karsten Leitner, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (capt.), Matt Mullins, Liam Underwood

MEN’S POOL FIXTURES
Nov 12 – 09:18 PT, 12:18 ET – vs British Virgin Islands
Nov 12 – 11:30 PT, 14:30 ET – vs Bermuda

CANADA WOMEN’S 7s
Olivia Apps, Pam Buisa, Emma Chown, Caroline Crossley, Sophie de Goede, Ashley Gordon, Nakisa Levale, Kaili Lukan, Breanne Nicholas (capt.), Denise Roy, Erika Scott, Keyara Wardley

WOMEN’S POOL FIXTURES
Nov 12 – 06:44 PT, 09:44 ET – vs Bermuda
Nov 12 – 08:34 PT, 11:34 ET – vs Cayman Islands
Nov 12 – 10:24 PT, 13:24 ET – vs Turks & Caicos
Nov 13 – 04:52 PT, 07:52 ET – vs Jamaica