Peter Nelson and Kainoa Lloyd highlight the 26-man sa国际传媒 Selects training squad for a June 28 game against the fledgling Vancouver Highlanders at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club.
Nelson, Lloyd join Siaki Vikilani and Sion Parry as members of the Selects squad who have already won senior caps for sa国际传媒.
The June 28 game is the opener of a free doubleheader that marks the debut of the Highlanders, an invitational side. A Highlanders reserve side will take on the Barbados national team in the nightcap.
The Highlanders also have matches scheduled against Germany on July 20, Brazil on Aug. 3 and a sa国际传媒 XV side on Aug. 17 as part of their Rugby Players' Challenge Summer Series.
The not-for-profit Highlanders are the brainchild of Curry Hitchborn, former coach of the UBC men's rugby team, and local entrepreneur Ralph McRae.
Hitchborn said they founded the team because rugby players in sa国际传媒 have few options 鈥� and to help them "pursue their professional aspirations." The Toronto Arrows, sa国际传媒's lone entry in Major League Rugby, folded last November.
The Selects squad also draws on Canadian under-20 talent and members of Rugby sa国际传媒's developmental Pacific Pride team.
The Selects will be led by Phil Mack, a former sa国际传媒 scrum half and sevens star who is now attack coach for the Canadian men's national team, with support from John MacFarland and Dave Butcher.
sa国际传媒 Selects Training Squad
Forward
Braden Bruce, Buckhorn, Ont., Pacific Pride; Bryce Worden, Saint John, N.B., Burnaby Lake Rugby Club; James Stockwood, Bowmanville, Ont., Pacific Pride; Jeffrey Young, Toronto, Bedwas RFC (Wales); Jesse Mackail, Palmerston North, New Zealand, Pacific Pride; Jordan Auger, Ottawa, Barrhaven Scottish; Kaden Duguid, Edmonton, Nor鈥橶esters Athletic Association; Moe Steves, Victoria, University of Victoria; Olly Wiseman, London, England, Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales); Sam Miller, Mount Denson, N.S., Pacific Pride; Siaki Vikilani, Vancouver, American Raptors (Super Rugby America); Si么n Parry, Cardiff, Wales, Pontypridd RFC (Wales); Tyler Matchem, Pictou County, N.S, Pictou County RFC; Zephyr Melnyk, Gabriola Island, sa国际传媒, Pacific Pride.
Backs
Crosby Stewart, Prince Rupert, sa国际传媒, James Bay AA; James Thiel, Abbotsford, sa国际传媒, Abbotsford RFC; Jamin Hodgkins, Bermuda, Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales); Jesse Kilgour, Barrie, Ont., Pacific Pride; Kainoa Lloyd, Mississauga, Ont., Queen鈥檚 University; Kyle Tremblay, White Rock, sa国际传媒, Pacific Pride; Matthew Bennett, Victoria, University of Victoria; Mark Balaski, Castlebar, Ireland, Pacific Pride; Morgan Di Nardo, Toronto, University of Victoria; Mostyn Findlay, Regina, James Bay AA; Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Dungannon RFC; Rhys James, Haverfordwest, Wales, Pacific Pride; Spencer Cotie, Victoria, University of Victoria; Thomas Burton, Ormstown, Que., James Bay AA.
----
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2024.
The Canadian Press
